### 🌍 Purpose
Design and prototype a field-capable, open-source mechanical frame that can lift and move a 300 lb load at least 100 ft, 100 times on a single battery charge. The goal is to create a modular, affordable tool for regenerative land work, forestry, and labor-saving in non-industrial settings—DIY blueprints will be free so anyone can build from locally sourced materials for under $1 000, while a fully factory-built unit might run around $5 000.
### 🎯 Mission
Build a flat, participatory R&D + manufacturing co-op where every contributor (designer, builder, tester) can work on any part of the project. All design files, build methods, and QC/checklists are public; everyone learns the full stack so you’re not locked into a single role.
### 🔑 Core Design Requirements
| Feature | Target | |
| --------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --- |
| Load & Distance | 300 lb, at least 100 ft per reposition, 100 reps per charge | |
| Power System | Whatever combination of motors/batteries gets you there—no single-motor mandate (100 Wh/kg or better energy density) | |
| Frame | Modular, human-guided (push/pull), not wearable | |
| Mobility | Crawl or walk over rough ground and slopes without jacking up people’s effort beyond walking pace | |
| Safety | Standardized mechanical locks, fail-safe lowering procedures, clear “build-check” checklist | |
| Build Cost | DIY build < $1 000 (local materials, simple tools); factory build ~ $5 000 | |
| Open Source | All CAD, firmware (if any), parts lists, and build manuals public under CERN-OHL or TAPR-OHL | |
| DIY-Friendly | Parts chosen for easy sourcing/ fabrication (lumber, common hardware, off-the-shelf motors/controllers) | |
### 📦 Phase 1 Scope – Prototype MVP
- Sketch baseline conceptual frame + drivetrain (no detailed BOM yet)
- Draft a simple “build-check” PDF that anyone can follow to verify safety (jig tolerances, fastener specs, locking mechanism)
- Produce a rough CAD model (e.g., in FreeCAD) showing how all modules fit together
- Build one proof-of-concept “dev unit” in a garage (just you, no team) to confirm lift + crawl performance
- Publish (so that any DIY builder can follow and give feedback) :
1. Rough-cut wood/metal parts to length
2. Weld or bolt spindles into place
3. Install motor/battery (if you have them)
4. Test lock/clutch, adjust tolerances
### 🧠Governance Summary
- 100 % flat: every contributor (no matter what task) has exactly one vote.
- Standardized docs: every build/test uses the same “build-check” and “performance-check” sheets so anyone can inspect, QA, or improve.
- Proposal process:
1. Fork the repo, make your change (mechanical tweak, new motor idea, better locking pin).
2. Submit a one-page “proposal” with: problem statement, your change, how you’ll test it.
3. Publish your test results under that same PR.
4. When 60 % of active contributors agree, auto merge.
- No committees needed: if you follow the published checklists, you don’t need a separate QA team—anyone can verify any build.
- Learning culture: newcomers get a “buddy build” pairing with someone who’s done a dev-unit before (pair-and-teach). Over time everyone learns the frame, drivetrain, power electronics (if used), and QC steps.
### 📬 How to Get Started
1. Grab the repo and read the one-page “R&D → DIY build” guide.
2. Join the chat (Discord/Matrix link) and say “I’d like to build a dev unit.”
3. Download the “build-check” PDF—that’s your safety check and QA checklist.
4. Start cutting/fabricating from the free CAD files or grab locally sourced lumber/hardware.
5. Test it (lift + crawl performance), fill out the “performance check” sheet, and share any fixes.
Anyone who follows steps 3–5 can call themselves a full contributor with one vote—no siloed roles.
### 🤝 License
Everything—hardware, firmware (if any), CAD, manuals—is under [CERN-OHL-S or TAPR OHL](https://www.oshwa.org/licenses/) so you can freely fork, modify, and build.
_Last updated: 2025-06-05_