Branding Direction
We decided to design the machinery as if it were produced by Caterpillar Construction, Inc. With their significant market share currently in Earth-based mining and heavy machinery, we thought it only natural that they would be significant stakeholders in the far future. The company was analyzed, and a user developed.
M-Class Mining Drone
A smaller, agile autonomous mining drone. Housed in a bay with an array of identical units, these drones use reversible thrusters to fly around asteroids to test the mineral compositions of various points, extract smaller amounts of resources, and communicate with the larger excavator unit.
M-Class Excavator Platform
A massive walking platform with a large bucket scoop wheel for strip mining, amenities and housing for the crew working and maintaining the vessel, and a bay for storing and operating the autonomous mining drones. These are sent to asteroids once testing has been done to prove the mineral potency of the asteroid, and maneuver to material rich dig sites based on analysis from the drones.
Design and rendering of excavator done by Parker Hawk. His portfolio can be found here.
