Project

# Title Team Members TA Documents Sponsor
15 Survivor Identification and Retrieval Robot
Karun Koppula
Zachary Wasserman
Zhijie Jin
Xinrui Zhu appendix0.pdf
design_document0.pdf
design_document0.pdf
final_paper0.pdf
other0.zip
other0.zip
presentation0.pdf
proposal0.pdf
video0.mov
The maze solving robot would attempt to solve mazes in a static environment and implement a learning algorithm to improve performance. It would have to detect obstacles and navigate around them to search for and identify the goal position. It could be extended to retrieving an object somewhere in the environment and return it to the start position. It is a proof of concept for search and rescue operations for autonomous learning systems. We would like to have it be able to quickly learn in a variety of different layouts.

Due to the computational complexity of the image processing algorithms, we would use a Raspberry Pi for algorithmic implementation, but create a circuit/PCB for robotic control.

Object Recognition
For the item retrieval and maze solving robots we would need to implement object recognition that is capable of recognizing a specific set of objects in non-static lighting environments
We need to be able to identify the walls/objects of the environment that the robot is operating. We will use laser/sonar sensors in combination with visual data.
It needs to be able to recognize obstacles and understand the possibilities of navigating around it.

Boundary Space Recognition/SLAM
We need to constrain these robots to work in a closed environment and therefore need a method to understanding the position of the robot with respect to the boundary
We could also use some image processing feature to identify the boundary with markers or physical barriers.

Manipulation
For the item retrieving and maze solving robots we would need to be able to manipulate the objects in question
We decided that a high degree of freedom robotic manipulator was out of the question and would prefer to use a simple claw/clamp, or suction/magnetic pull to interact with objects. We feel that to be able to pick up arbitrarily sized objects would be beyond the appropriate complexity of the project, so we would constrain the types of objects that need to be picked up with to work easily with the manipulative system

Control/Path Planning
We would likely build a circuit to automate the control that drives the motors or even moves the robot from point A to point B
We will need some sort of path planning algorithm to explore the environment
We would speak to the appropriate resources about how to implement these algorithms
Prof Girish Choudary
Prof Steve LaValle

Reinforcement Learning
In order to improve the performance of the robot with successive iterations navigating the maze, we will need to implement a reinforcement algorithm.
Relevant Resources
Prof Girish Choudary

Hardware - for much of the hardware component, Yuchen suggested that we speak to the machine shop about fabrication at least in terms of robotic design.
Motors/Wheels
Chassis
Motor Control Boards - we would be designing this circuitry to control the motors by linking the battery and the control inputs. As an extension of complexity in this area we would design a circuit that given an input and current state of the robot drives the robot to that location. This would allow us to include a microprocessor on the designed board and increase the functional capabilities. (DESIGN)
Raspberry Pi - for high level control of robot and algorithms (USE)
Sensors - for this we need camera(s) whether we do monocular or binocular vision would be an issue to discuss. We could also use laser rangefinders/lidar package to to SLAM for the obstacle detecting and avoiding robots. We could use sonar as well for distance sensing. We would need an IR camera or sensor for the human identifying robot. We could use pressure sensors or a scale to detect that the robot has correctly picked up or put down the objects in question. We would also need a sensor to check that the robot is stuck and burning out its motors.

Environmental Constraints
Since robust image-processing identification of objects in the environment is not the focus of this project, would would likely constrain lighting conditions to standard well lit levels.
We are also not designing a robot that can climb over obstacles, since complex dynamic is not the focus of the project. We would constrain the environment to a flat/drivable surface. Obstacles would be moved around.

S.I.P. (Smart Irrigation Project)

Jackson Lenz, James McMahon

S.I.P. (Smart Irrigation Project)

Featured Project

Jackson Lenz

James McMahon

Our project is to be a reliable, robust, and intelligent irrigation controller for use in areas where reliable weather prediction, water supply, and power supply are not found.

Upon completion of the project, our device will be able to determine the moisture level of the soil, the water level in a water tank, and the temperature, humidity, insolation, and barometric pressure of the environment. It will perform some processing on the observed environmental factors to determine if rain can be expected soon, Comparing this knowledge to the dampness of the soil and the amount of water in reserves will either trigger a command to begin irrigation or maintain a command to not irrigate the fields. This device will allow farmers to make much more efficient use of precious water and also avoid dehydrating crops to death.

In developing nations, power is also of concern because it is not as readily available as power here in the United States. For that reason, our device will incorporate several amp-hours of energy storage in the form of rechargeable, maintenance-free, lead acid batteries. These batteries will charge while power is available from the grid and discharge when power is no longer available. This will allow for uninterrupted control of irrigation. When power is available from the grid, our device will be powered by the grid. At other times, the batteries will supply the required power.

The project is titled S.I.P. because it will reduce water wasted and will be very power efficient (by extremely conservative estimates, able to run for 70 hours without input from the grid), thus sipping on both power and water.

We welcome all questions and comments regarding our project in its current form.

Thank you all very much for you time and consideration!