RAM.

RAM is a proposed quadruped platform for traversing rough or potentially hazardous terrain, searching for missing people, mapping its surroundings, and reporting detected locations to an operator. This mission guides the requirements; these capabilities have not yet been demonstrated.

The project is at mission definition, measurable requirements, and early system architecture. Work so far includes a first actuator investigation and a shift toward deriving capability from the intended operating environment.

Roots, rocks, cross slopes, narrow passages, and vegetation provide the basis for obstacle clearance, slope, path width, and sensing requirements. Those targets still need measurement. The next step is a requirements record linking each target to its rationale, source, and verification method.

The initial NEMA-17 investigation considered moment arms, holding torque versus operating torque, dynamic loading, and actuator mass. Twelve motors at approximately 280 g each would contribute about 3.36 kg before structure, batteries, or electronics. Direct drive was judged a poor fit for the concept; a final actuator and transmission have not been selected.

The concept is roughly 0.5–0.7 m tall, with four legs and approximately twelve actuated degrees of freedom under consideration. Geometry, materials, sensing, and motor count are not frozen. They must follow the requirements and load cases.

The proposed separation is high-level perception and planning, followed by deterministic real-time control, motor drivers, and mechanics. Camera and LiDAR sensing are being considered; radar remains exploratory. Power, emergency shutdown, and operator communications are parallel design concerns.

Measure the test environment → define Level-1 requirements → establish load cases → derive torque and speed needs → compare actuator options. Detailed CAD, fabrication, walking, autonomous navigation, and predicted-versus-measured validation remain future work.