3rd Annual Worm Chariot Race

For the third consecutive year, students in Es451 make robotic worms using the Bioloid Robotics Kit. Engineering issues considered include gait design, stability, traction, sensing and responding to obstacles. The Chariots contain the batteries and small computers which store the programs.

The first test is the 10 foot dash. It is graded based on how straight the robot moves (<6" deviation from straight line over a 10 ft course) .

Turning is one of biggest challenges. I have to say this is the ugliest robot snake turn I have seen but it is remarkably close to 90 degrees (the goal). And reliable too! The turn is triggered by the presence of an obstacle as measures by an IR range sensor.

And they are off! (they really shouldn't be touching the robots once the race starts but it didn't effect the outcome)

Congratulations:

Winners (1st period): Midn 1/C Hatch, Meyer, Myers

Winners (3rd period): Midn 1/C Felps, Honan, Beates

Essay Contest Winner!

Congratulations to ENS Daniel Umpa (USNA, Systems, '09)!

He was announced as the winner of the "Commander William Earl Fannin, Class of 1945, Capstone Essay Contest". His essay, "The Pilotless Squadron" which discusses the obstacles for adoption of unmanned systems (AUVs in particular) in the US military, appeared in the September issue of the Proceedings of the US Naval Institute.

Note: You have to be a Proceedings Subscriber to see the full article (sorry!)

http://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/archive/month.asp?ID=277

Projects Galore!