Owen Swischuk

Risd Rover has competed in the NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge for over a decade, mirroring the challenges faced by the original NASA engineers who developed the Moon Rover in the 1960s. With limited knowledge of the environments the vehicle would encounter, the challenge called for innovative solutions to ensure the rover could perform across varied conditions and overcome potential obstacles. During my three years on the team, we reimagined the vehicle's carbon fiber composite systems, designing lightweight seats to support riders during the race and crafting composite wheels that flex slightly, simulating the cushioning effect of pneumatic tires.