NASA Open-Source Rover

What it is:
The Open Source Rover is an open-source hardware project released by NASA JPL. It is a scaled-down replica of the six-wheeled rover design JPL uses for Mars exploration, built entirely from consumer-grade commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) parts. The project began in 2017 and remains active today, and it has received official OSHW open-source hardware certification.

Hardware list and approximate cost:
Ten motors drive six wheels. The rover has an aluminum chassis built mainly from off-the-shelf GoBilda parts, with a Raspberry Pi as the control computer. A 7.2Ah battery provides approximately three hours of runtime. The official estimated cost for the complete rover is about $1,600, excluding shipping and tools.

Build overview:
1. Order all parts from GoBilda and other suppliers according to parts_list
2. Build the cable harnesses first, then solder and assemble the PCB
3. Assemble the chassis, the two rocker-bogie units, and the drive/steering motor assemblies
4. Integrate the cables and electronics into the mechanical structure
5. Configure the control software on the Raspberry Pi by following the osr-rover-code repository tutorial
6. Once everything is assembled, complete the drive tests, then add sensor extensions as needed

Getting-started advice:
NASA estimates that a complete build requires at least 100 person-hours. It involves metal cutting, soldering and wiring, plus basic Linux, ROS, and Python knowledge. Read the experience posts in the Slack community first, and do not underestimate the workload.