How do I simulate a lunar rover?

Open this page and use the live Inverse Kinematics tool below — set your inputs and the simulation runs instantly in your browser using real numerics. No install, no account needed.

Yes. The simulation runs free in your browser. A one-time unlock or a Pro plan adds advanced parameters, saved presets, data import, and clean exports.

Can I use my own numbers?

Absolutely — every input is adjustable, and with data import you can drive a lunar rover from your own measurements.

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Inverse Kinematics for a lunar rover

Simulate a lunar rover live in your browser. This runs the real Inverse Kinematics solver — adjust the inputs, watch it respond instantly, and export the result. No install, no account.

For:Students Researchers Educators Engineers Hobbyists & Makers K-12 Students First Responders

Inverse KinematicsLive

target → joint angles

Controls

Presets

Link 1 length

Link 2 length

Elbow-up solution

Inverse kinematics is the hard direction: given where you want the tip, find the joint angles. For a 2-link arm the law of cosines gives a clean closed form — but with two solutions (elbow-up or elbow-down) and none at all when the target is out of reach. Drag the target, or click anywhere to move it there.

▶ Run in Python

Data Inspector

Joint 1-20.8°

Joint 291.4°

Target dist126

Total reach180

Reachableyes

Governing equation

θ_{2} = arccos \frac{x ^{2} + y ^{2} - 10 0 ^{2} - 8 0 ^{2}}{2 \cdot 100 \cdot 80} = 91. 4^{\circ}, θ_{1} = atan2 (40, 120) - atan2 (80 sin θ_{2}, 100 + 80 cos θ_{2}) = - 20. 8^{\circ}

Reading this result: This 2-link arm (segments 100 and 80, total reach 180) has a closed-form inverse: the law of cosines gives the joint angles that place the tip exactly on the target, with two branches — elbow-up and elbow-down. Iterative methods like CCD or the Jacobian transpose converge to one of them.

Runs locally in your browser — free forever. Scale to the cloud when reality gets heavy.

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About this simulation

The full Inverse Kinematics tool models a lunar rover with the same numerics engineers and scientists use — running entirely client-side. Change any parameter and the result updates in real time, so you can build intuition, check a design, or teach the concept without spreadsheets or installs.

More you can do with Inverse Kinematics

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Other ways to simulate a lunar rover

Forward Kinematics for a lunar rover Differential Drive for a lunar rover Cart-Pole Balance for a lunar rover Quadcopter Control for a lunar rover RRT Path Planning for a lunar rover DC Motor for a lunar rover

Frequently asked questions

How do I simulate a lunar rover?: Open this page and use the live Inverse Kinematics tool below — set your inputs and the simulation runs instantly in your browser using real numerics. No install, no account needed.
Is it free?: Yes. The simulation runs free in your browser. A one-time unlock or a Pro plan adds advanced parameters, saved presets, data import, and clean exports.
Can I use my own numbers?: Absolutely — every input is adjustable, and with data import you can drive a lunar rover from your own measurements.