Using a 3D Printer to Create an Inexpensive Glacier Rover

We set out to collect an accurate surface profile on Eklutna Glacier using a remote controlled snowcat drone equipped with a survey-quality GPS. The elevation profile will be used as reference points to estimate error from APU’s mapping system which uses structure from
motion (SfM) methods. Structure from motion utilizes two dimensional images (i.e., pictures taken from ground control points surrounding Eklutna) creating a 3D structure of the scene. Using the snowcat, we have the ability to retrieve a continuous transect down the
Eklutna glacier while collecting physical data to track our route (GPS points).