At Kenesto, we’re honored to support innovative student-led robotics teams who push the boundaries of engineering and technology. One such team is RoboNav, a proud subgroup of RoboJackets at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, GA. RoboJackets is renowned for its dedication to advancing robotics research, education, and hands-on competition experience through a variety of teams and projects. RoboNav’s mission is to design, build, and command Mars-style rovers and drones for the University Rover Challenge organized by the Mars Society.
RoboNav first discovered Kenesto in summer 2023 when their mechanical lead, Galen Tunnicliffe, explored different cloud-based CAD solutions. Recognizing Kenesto’s robust file management features and seamless SolidWorks integration, they knew it was the right fit for their needs.
Since adopting Kenesto’s cloud-based product data management platform, RoboNav has experienced a significant transformation in their workflow. Prior to Kenesto, the team relied on GrabCAD to store and share SolidWorks assemblies, but they faced limitations in collaboration and version control. Kenesto’s seamless integration with SolidWorks has since become an essential tool for the team’s success.
“The integration of Kenesto into our SolidWorks workflow has greatly improved how we design and iterate,” says Arunn Sankar, mechanical lead of RoboNav. “Everyone works from the latest models, so we can push rapid changes without version conflicts. The built-in version history gives full transparency into each part’s evolution, which is ideal for troubleshooting and design reviews. Kenesto also prevents us from using duplicate parts, keeping our library lean. Its flexible folder hierarchy makes nesting complex subsystems into the final rover and drone much more streamlined.”
The team emphasizes how the challenges of the University Rover Challenge foster growth as engineers and scientists. “The URC pushes us to grow as engineers and scientists by forcing us to solve real-world problems under tight deadlines,” shares the team’s perspective. “Designing, building, and operating a rover and drone in harsh, Mars-like conditions sharpens our technical skills and teamwork, giving us the hands-on experience we need to one day excel in robotics careers.”
We are proud to support RoboJackets — RoboNav on their journey to explore space and develop future engineers. Their success demonstrates how innovative tools like Kenesto can enhance collaboration, accelerate development, and inspire the next generation of robotics pioneers.
