MTU ROBOTICS TEAM FINISHES BEST EVER
HOUGHTON--Michigan Tech's Unmanned Robotics Team recently competed in the International Ground Robotics Competition, held at Oakland University in Rochester. The team, made up of about 20 students representing 5 different majors, brought home a 3rd and 4th place finish for performance and design, respectively, out of 18 teams.
The annual International Ground Robotics Competition, sponsored by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) and the Society for Automotive Engineers (SAE), encourages further study of unmanned vehicle systems technology for such uses as factories and "smart high-ways"--highways where cars drive themselves.
Design and performance are the two categories in which each entry is judged. The design category consists simply of a written report, oral presentation, and vehicle examination. After the initial inspection, explanation, and presentation of the robot, it is time for each team to put their creation to the test.
The performance category is the actual operation of the robot, where the object is for the robot to successfully navigate around an outdoor obstacle course. A video camera, laser range finder, and onboard computer are the main components of Michigan Techs vehicular robot, nicknamed "Veronica." According to the Veronica project team leader, William Gressick, each of the three components serves as an essential part in the overall performance of the robot.
He explained that the video camera is important for detecting the boundaries of the course, therefore keeping Veronica "on track." The laser range finder identifies obstacles in its pathway. Both of these sensory devices then feed their data into the onboard computer, where it is analyzed and used to help maneuver Veronica away from on-coming dangers. Gressick added that the team is very pleased overall with their performance this year. This year is the best that MTU has ever finished in the competition, which is especially impressive when you consider some of the obstacles the team overcame.
"One of our greatest obstacles turned out to be a lack of involvement at the beginning of the project," Gressick said. "We decided that the previous robot would be abandoned. This made it difficult to get students involved, since it would be months before anything could be seen as a result of their efforts. However, as time progressed, we built up a group of dedicated students who saw the robot through to completion."
Being involved in the Veronica project was a full-time job for MTU's team members, in addition to their class schedules and coursework. The skills they learned and used to work in such an environment were invaluable. "Our team has gained experience dealing with all aspects of a project; including technical issues, timelines, financial constraints, and most importantly teamwork--with each other and with people outside the project," concluded Gressick.
Michigan Tech's Unmanned Robotics Team is sponsored by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Student Branch in cooperation with numerous leading industrial component manufacturers. The faculty advisors are Dr. Paul Lewis, now a retired associate professor from the Electrical Engineering Department, and Dr. Jeff Burl, an assistant professor in the Electrical Engineering Department.
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07/08/99MTN130