Emulator UI modification
A marsian terrain followed by a Rover 3D model was a prerequisite for creating a close to real life martian experience. Encapsulating everything. The car, the environment and placing great emphasis on details. Here the devil was in the details. So we had to expand our vision beyond software engineering into space exploration. Extracting knowledge from leading experts and applying them to our project when customising both the environment but also the Rover 3D model.
- Imported Mars environment and terrain
- Customised SmartRover specially adapted for Mars
- Realistic look and feel to the Mars environment and 3D model.
Creating a realistic look and feel to the project was undoubtedly a prerequisite. We wanted everything to coincide. To match. From small changes to the 3D model to big changes to the martian environment. Fine tuning every aspect of the project into the smallest details. All this would add up and we would be left with our current project. A result of that design process. Placing great emphasis on details. All this to elevate the user experience and get one step closer to creating an environment that resembles reality.
The 3D car model was derived from NASA were we drew inspiration from leading experts in their field. What are some necessities that the 3D car model must have and be equipped with. From wheels to body. Also based on footages and images of Mars we drew inspiration and customised our terrain accordingly. As well as scaling it to match our landscape. Carefully placing out danger areas that would coincide with mission tasks and adding a layer of difficulty to them so that the experience becomes more interesting and challenging.
The martian terrain was well thought out and carefully designed. Everything from terrain to danger areas. Here is where we drew a lot of inspiration from available images and footages of Mars. Customising our environment accordingly to imitate Mars to a large degree but adding a layer of difficulty with danger areas and obstacles. So that missions are not just a straight path with no obstacles nor difficulties. Also this contributed to elevating the experience, making it more realistic combined with being able to access Livestream. Getting footages, pictures and taking snapshots of the customised martian environment. Something hard to beat!
Functional requirements:
- Mars environment 3D models shall be imported and loads in SMCE-Godot emulator successfully
- Emulator's default car and wheel model replaced with SmartRover model within Godot engine
- Updated environment model should have a proper mesh model, collision model and scenery settings for Godot engine
- Imported terrain surface should be scaled in proper relation to rover's model
Non-functional requirements:
- Mars terrain should have realistic look and feel like Perseverance Rover is sending from Mars
- Terrain should be driven with relative ease
- Terrain should have few danger areas but mostly "flat" drivable areas
Dare mighty things™