FlySpark AM400 Ackermann Steering Robot Chassis | Wheeled UGV, ROS Robot Car, 20kg Payload, 40km Range, 6.5km/h, Drive-by-Wire & CAN 2.0B ROS1/ROS2 SDK

FlySpark AM400 is a lightweight, high-precision Ackermann steering robot chassis – a car-like wheeled UGV built for researchers, educators and developers who need a realistic test vehicle for autonomous driving, ROS navigation and modular robotics. It weighs just 18kg, carries a 20kg payload, reaches 6.5km/h and covers about 40km per charge unladen on its standard 24V 10Ah battery, or up to 80km with the optional 24V 20Ah pack.

The AM400 is part of the FlySpark Unmanned Ground & Surface Vehicles (UGV / USV) range and is the most compact ROS robot car platform in the family. Unlike skid-steer robots, it uses true front Ackermann steering with rear motor drive, so its wheels roll around a common turning centre just like a passenger car. Two 100W sealed in-wheel motors give quick response and strong torque, while high-precision encoders on both the wheels and the steering system deliver clean odometry for SLAM, path planning and end-to-end autonomous driving. Double-wishbone independent suspension on all four wheels absorbs shocks, protects mounted sensors and keeps the tyres planted on paving, campus roads, gravel paths and factory floors.

The compact 615 × 405 × 190mm body has a 400mm wheelbase, 312mm wheel track, 140mm tyres and 61mm ground clearance. It climbs 30° slopes unladen (10° laden), steps over 40mm obstacles (30mm laden) and crosses 100mm gaps (90mm laden). It is rated IP22 and operates from -20°C to 50°C in high temperature, at night, and in light rain, wind, light snow and light fog.

WHY CHOOSE THE AM400 ACKERMANN STEERING ROBOT CHASSIS

The AM400 is built around a vehicle-grade control-by-wire system: drive-by-wire, brake-by-wire, steer-by-wire (EPS) and light-by-wire, all supervised by a vehicle control unit (VCU) running 20 safety protection strategies. Emergency stop, communication heartbeat, communication timeout, BCC check, overtemperature, overload, short-circuit and steering-limit protection work in both hardware and software, so experimental code cannot easily put the vehicle or the people around it at risk.

AM400 ROS ROBOT CAR PLATFORM INTEGRATION

Integration is straightforward. The chassis talks over CAN 2.0B and ships with a ROS1/ROS2 drive package (SDK) for rapid secondary development, and its power supply provides 12V 15A and 24V 15A outputs for lidar, cameras, computers and displays. Aluminium top rails let you mount robot arms, gimbal cameras, modular cabinets and AI computing modules in minutes, and the detachable vehicle-grade electric control box (EC-BOX) is protected against high and low temperature, water pressure, vibration and salt spray and can be swapped quickly for maintenance or upgrades.

Optional navigation configurations add a 3D depth camera, single-line lidar, IMU, microphone array and display, with intelligent obstacle avoidance, autonomous path planning, 3D visual SLAM, target tracking, multi-robot formation and auto-charging through a docking charging station. An optional course of more than 60 lessons makes the AM400 a complete autonomous driving research robot and teaching platform for intelligent connected vehicles.

COMPARE THE FLYSPARK UGV RANGE

FlySpark offers wheeled and tracked unmanned ground vehicle chassis that share the same CAN-based integration approach, so a project can start on the AM400 and scale up. Choose the AM400 when you want the smallest, lightest car-like platform; move to a larger wheeled or tracked model when payload, terrain or stairs demand it.

• • FlySpark AM400 – 20kg payload, 40km range, IP22: the lightest Ackermann steering robot chassis for research, teaching and indoor/outdoor prototypes
• • FlySpark AM600 – 50kg payload, 60km range, IP44: larger Ackermann wheeled UGV for outdoor logistics and inspection
• • FlySpark OM600 – 250kg payload, swerve 4WD/4WS omnidirectional drive: heavy mobile-robot base for factories and warehouses
• • FlySpark TK650 – 30kg payload, 35° climb, IP54: compact tracked UGV chassis for rough ground
• • FlySpark TK990 and TK1000 – 80kg and 100kg payload with stair climbing: mid-size tracked UGVs for security and inspection
• • FlySpark TK2100 – 300kg payload, 500mm wading, IP65: heavy-duty tracked UGV for field logistics and defence trials

• KEY FEATURES:
• • Lightweight indoor/outdoor wheeled UGV chassis
• • Front Ackermann steering with rear motor drive
• • High-precision encoders on wheels and steering
• • 20kg payload on level ground
• • 6.5km/h maximum speed
• • 40km range unladen (80km with optional battery)
• • 2 × 100W sealed in-wheel drive motors
• • Double-wishbone independent suspension on all four wheels
• • 30° climbing angle unladen, 10° laden
• • 40mm obstacle clearance unladen, 30mm laden
• • Vehicle-grade drive, brake, steer and light by wire
• • VCU with 20 safety protection strategies
• • Motor braking and motor parking
• • CAN 2.0B interface with ROS1/ROS2 drive package (SDK)
• • 12V 15A and 24V 15A payload power outputs
• • 24V 10Ah battery (24V 20Ah optional), 1–2h charging
• • Modular rail mounting and detachable EC-BOX
• • IP22 protection, -20°C to 50°C operation
• • Optional docking charging station and navigation kits

DEFENCE & MILITARY APPLICATIONS

The AM400 gives defence research and training establishments a safe, low-cost, car-like platform for developing and validating autonomy, sensing and teleoperation before scaling up to larger vehicles.

• • Autonomous-navigation research and algorithm validation for defence R&D labs
• • Indoor and base-perimeter patrol robot prototyping with cameras and lidar
• • Lightweight sensor carrier for CBRN and environmental sensing trials
• • Robot swarming and multi-robot formation experiments
• • Training platform for military engineering and robotics courses
• • Small-load logistics trials inside bases, depots and stores
• • Target-tracking and computer-vision test vehicle
• • Teleoperation and drive-by-wire interface development for larger UGVs

CIVILIAN & COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS

For universities, industry and smart-city developers, the AM400 is a ready-to-program base for navigation research, inspection robots and light indoor/outdoor logistics.

• • University and school autonomous-driving teaching labs
• • ROS1/ROS2 navigation, SLAM and path-planning research
• • Factory and plant inspection robots
• • Warehouse and intra-logistics delivery prototypes
• • Campus, community and residential patrol robots
• • Chemical warehouse and industrial site monitoring
• • Road-traffic data collection and annotation projects
• • Mobile manipulator bases with lightweight robot arms
• • Smart-city and connected-vehicle demonstrations
• • AI and embodied-intelligence developer platforms

AM400 WHEELED UGV TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AT A GLANCE

• STANDARD SUPPLY:
• • FlySpark AM400 Ackermann-steering chassis with 2 × 100W in-wheel drive motors and encoders
• • 24V 10Ah battery
• • 24V 10A charging adapter
• • Vehicle control unit with CAN 2.0B interface
• • ROS1/ROS2 drive package (SDK) and communication documentation
• • Emergency stop and power switch on the rear panel
• • Operator manual and commissioning support

IMPORTANT USE NOTE: The AM400 is a mobile robot chassis for lawful research, education, inspection, security and logistics applications. Operate it only where you have permission, keep people clear during autonomous testing, respect the 20kg rated payload, IP22 rating and 30mm wading depth, and follow local safety, RF and site regulations. Optional radio and sensor modules must be used only on legally permitted frequencies and power levels.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Q: What is the FlySpark AM400? A: The FlySpark AM400 is a lightweight Ackermann steering robot chassis – a wheeled UGV (unmanned ground vehicle) with front Ackermann steering and rear motor drive. It carries a 20kg payload, reaches 6.5km/h, covers up to 40km per charge unladen and exposes a CAN 2.0B interface with a ROS1/ROS2 drive package, making it a modular base for autonomous-driving research, indoor/outdoor navigation and light logistics robots.

Q: What is an Ackermann steering robot chassis? A: An Ackermann steering robot chassis turns its front wheels at slightly different angles so that all four wheels roll around a common turning centre, just like a passenger car. Compared with skid-steer platforms it reduces tyre scrub, keeps odometry accurate and lets researchers test car-like motion planning and autonomous-driving algorithms on a realistic vehicle model.

Q: What is a wheeled UGV and how does it differ from a tracked UGV? A: A wheeled UGV is an unmanned ground vehicle that rolls on tyres, which makes it quieter, more efficient and gentler on floors and paved roads than a tracked UGV. Tracked UGVs such as the FlySpark TK650 or TK990 climb stairs and cross rough ground better, while a wheeled platform like the AM400 offers longer range per charge and car-like handling.

Q: Is the AM400 a good ROS robot car platform for autonomous driving research? A: Yes. The AM400 combines true Ackermann steering, steer-by-wire and drive-by-wire control, wheel and steering encoders and a CAN 2.0B interface with a ROS1/ROS2 drive package, so it can be used directly as a ROS robot car for SLAM, path planning and autonomous-driving algorithm development.

• Q: What is the payload capacity of the AM400?
• A: The rated payload is 20kg on level ground, mounted on the two aluminium top rails.

Q: How far does the AM400 travel on one charge? A: With the standard 24V 10Ah battery it covers about 40km unladen or 17km laden. With the optional 24V 20Ah battery the range rises to about 80km unladen or 35km laden. Real range depends on payload, terrain, speed and temperature.

Q: What motors drive the AM400? A: Two 100W in-wheel motors drive the rear wheels, with high-precision encoders on both the drive wheels and the steering system for accurate odometry and closed-loop control.

Q: What terrain can the AM400 handle? A: It climbs slopes up to 30° unladen or 10° laden, steps over obstacles up to 40mm unladen or 30mm laden, and crosses gaps up to 100mm unladen or 90mm laden. Double-wishbone independent suspension on all four wheels absorbs shocks on paving, gravel paths, campus roads and factory floors.

Q: What are the dimensions and weight? A: The chassis measures 615 × 405 × 190mm (L × W × H) and weighs 18kg. Wheelbase is 400mm, wheel track is 312mm, tyre diameter is 140mm and ground clearance is 61mm at the chassis body.

Q: Is the AM400 waterproof and what temperatures can it handle? A: The chassis is rated IP22, which protects against dripping water and light rain, and it operates from -20°C to 50°C in high temperature, at night, and in light rain, wind, light snow and light fog. It is not intended for heavy rain, puddles deeper than its 30mm wading depth or wash-down.

Q: How do I control the AM400 from my own computer? A: The chassis communicates over CAN 2.0B and is supplied with a ROS1/ROS2 drive package (SDK). Your onboard computer sends speed and steering commands and reads back odometry and status, so it plugs straight into ROS navigation stacks, autonomous-driving software and custom research code.

Q: What safety protections are built in? A: A vehicle control unit (VCU) runs 20 safety protection strategies, including emergency stop, communication heartbeat, communication timeout, communication BCC check, overtemperature, overload, short-circuit and steering-limit protection. Braking and parking are both handled by the motors.

• Q: What power outputs are available for sensors and computers?
• A: The power supply provides 12V 15A and 24V 15A outputs for lidar, cameras, onboard computers, displays and other payloads.

Q: How is the battery charged and how long does it take? A: Charging takes 1–2 hours with the 24V 10A charging adapter. An optional docking charging station allows automatic charging for unattended autonomous operation.

Q: Which navigation options are available? A: Optional navigation configurations add sensors such as a 3D depth camera, single-line lidar, IMU, microphone array and display, together with functions such as intelligent obstacle avoidance, autonomous path planning, 3D visual SLAM and navigation, target tracking, multi-robot formation and auto-charging.

Q: Is the AM400 suitable for teaching? A: Yes. An optional course package with more than 60 detailed lessons covers intelligent connected autonomous driving principles, lidar and visual navigation algorithms, road-traffic data collection and annotation, and multi-robot formation navigation.

Q: What can be mounted on the AM400? A: The modular rail mounting design accepts robot arms, gimbal cameras, modular cabinets, AI computing modules, lidar and other sensors. The modular, detachable electric control box (EC-BOX) is built to vehicle-grade standards and can be swapped quickly for maintenance or upgrades.

Q: What is the AM400 robot chassis price in India? A: Price is on request because each AM400 is configured with the battery, navigation kit and accessories you need. Contact FlySpark on WhatsApp or email for a quotation in INR or for export.

Q: What is the lead time, and do you export? A: The AM400 is built on order; lead time is confirmed with your quotation and depends on the chosen battery, navigation kit and accessories. FlySpark supplies customers across India and supports export orders subject to applicable regulations and documentation.

Q: Which FlySpark UGV should I choose instead of the AM400? A: Choose the AM600 for a larger 50kg-payload Ackermann platform with 60km range, the OM600 for a 250kg omnidirectional swerve-drive base, or the TK650, TK990, TK1000 and TK2100 tracked UGVs for rough terrain, stairs and heavier loads. The AM400 is the lightest and most compact option for research and teaching.

Q: Can the AM400 be armed or used for weapons payloads? A: The AM400 is supplied as a research, education and commercial robot chassis and is not designed or rated for weapons. Any defence payload integration must be lawful, may be export-controlled and is the responsibility of the authorised integrator and end user.

Q: Does FlySpark provide integration support and warranty? A: Yes. FlySpark / AnuShakti Infotech Pvt. Ltd. supports sensor and payload integration, ROS onboarding, commissioning and operator training. Warranty covers manufacturing defects for 1 year under approved use and normal operating conditions; damage from overload, water ingress beyond IP22, impact, wrong charging or unauthorized modification may not be covered.