2016 Audi Lunar Quattro

◾Audi is working with the Part-Time Scientists in the Google Lunar XPRIZE
◾The winning team must transport an automated vehicle to the moon
◾Part-time Scientists achieved two Milestone Prizes in the competition so far
Audi is taking on an entirely new type of challenge: a mission to the moon. The company is assisting the Berlin-based engineering group 'Part-Time Scientists' in the 'Google Lunar XPRIZE.' This space travel competition was organized for engineers and business enterprises worldwide, and it offers approximately $30 million in prize money. Audi is supporting the lunar expedition with its expert knowledge – and the Audi lunar quattro.




The Part-Time Scientists – whose headquarters is in Berlin and whom Audi is assisting – are the only German participants. So far, their rover prototype has already won two prizes known as Milestone Prizes in the competition. These prizes, which carry a monetary value of $750,000, were awarded by the competition jury for development of the rover and its optical systems. The Berlin- based researchers are continually refining their lunar vehicle, and extensive tests have been conducted in such places as the Austrian Alps and on Tenerife.

Many of the rover's components are made of high-strength aluminum, and it weighs 35 kilograms (77.2 lb). In continued development of the vehicle into the Audi lunar quattro, its weight will be further reduced by the use of magnesium and design modifications, even though the vehicle might grow somewhat in size. A swiveling solar panel captures sunlight, and the electricity it generates is fed to a lithium-ion battery that powers the four wheel hub motors. All four of the wheels can be rotated 360 degrees.

The theoretical maximum speed is 3.6 km/h (2.2 mph) – but more important on the rugged surface of the moon are the vehicle's off-road qualities and safe navigating abilities. Two stereo cameras that acquire detailed 3D images are mounted to a moving head at the front of the vehicle. A third camera is used to study materials, and it generates extremely high-resolution panoramic images.



The brand with the four rings is also providing wide-ranging assistance in testing, trials and quality assurance. Úsing their high-tech tools and methods, specialists from Quality Assurance will study the parts of the future Audi lunar quattro for wear. The motors and electronic components must withstand stress tests in climate chambers. In parallel, Audi Concept Design Munich continues to refine the form of the rover.

The Google Lunar XPRIZE started with 34 teams, and 16 groups remain today. The Part-Time Scientists team was founded in late 2008 by Robert Böhme, who works as an IT consultant in Berlin. The majority of its team members, who currently number over 70, come from Germany and Austria. Experts from three continents support the team, including former leading NASA employee Jack Crenshaw from Florida. Assisting the group, in addition to Audi, are numerous research institutes and high-tech companies such as NVIDIA, the Technical Úniversity of Berlin, the Austrian Space Forum (OeWF) and the German Aerospace Center (DLR).

About Audi

The Audi Group, with its brands Audi, Ducati and Lamborghini, is one of the most successful manufacturers of automobiles and motorcycles in the premium segment. The company is present in more than 100 markets worldwide and produces at 16 locations in twelve countries. In the second half of 2016, Audi will start production of the Q5 in San José Chiapa (Mexico). 100-percent subsidiaries of AÚDI AG include quattro GmbH (Neckarsulm), Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. (Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy) and Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. (Bologna, Italy).

In 2014, the latest full financial year, the Audi Group delivered to customers approximately 1.74 million automobiles of the Audi brand, 2,530 sports cars of the Lamborghini brand and approximately 45,000 motorcycles of the Ducati brand. AÚDI AG achieved total revenue of €53.8 billion and an operating profit of €5.15 billion in 2014. At present, more than 80,000 people work for the company all over the world, 58,000 of them in Germany. Audi focuses on new products and sustainable technologies for the future of mobility.

Source - Audi