Trill Robotics is designing a robot, S.L.A.B. (Scrupulous Lifting Autonomous Bot), for the 2008 IEEE Region 5 Student Robotics Competition in Kansas City, MO. The theme of the contest is to design an autonomous robot to simply transport casks to a specified location. In this case the "casks" represent containers composed of hazardous materials. To make it more challenging, our robot has to classify each cask by its weight. There will be three casks simulating different weights, which will require the robot to have a weight sensor. Depending on the judge's instructions, these three casks will go to three specified locations on the track. For the final round of this competition, the track will consist of colored "storage bins", which portray an area to place these dangerous chemicals. Consequently another challenge for our autonomous robot is to determine the storage bins' color to correctly insert each cask into its proper storage bin. The significance of the proposed activity is for the advancement of our knowledge and education in the field of electrical engineering. This contest covers several important areas in EE: controls, electronics, and software.

Cardinal BEAST will be constructing a “smart vehicle” that will tow Cardinal DEEP’s drill to a specified location with the help of Cardinal Direction’s navigation system. Once on the surface of Mars, BEAST will transport DEEP by the means of a goose-neck style, detachable hitch. The BEAST will also interface with a navigation and guidance system provided by Cardinal Direction. The interfacing with Cardinal Direction will permit BEAST to focus on reliable traction and a sturdy chassis for the encounter of small rocks, pebbles, or other similar objects.

Team Cardinal Direction is working with Lamar University’s other two TSGC teams on a single rover/drill project, and we are responsible for the design of the unit’s navigation system. Martian terrain is full of obstacles that the vehicle will need to avoid, and the communication delay between Earth and Mars underlines the importance of rover autonomy. In order to “see” and navigate around potential dangers, the design will utilize a camera system and a digital distance sensor. The team will also experiment with various algorithms to optimize performance and reliability; specifically, we plan to model the path-planning program after the WedgeBug algorithm, a sensor-based program that maximizes a vehicle’s efficiency and autonomy. Therefore, in addition to safely guiding the unit through unknown terrain, the navigation system will allow for fully autonomous rover operation to a specified location.

To ensure a successful manned mission to Mars, NASA must have ready liquid water at hand for life support and energy production. Recent exploration has shown layers of permafrost directly under the crust of Mars. A fully automated drilling apparatus must be developed and implemented to determine the quantity of available water and its make-up. Lamar Universityís Cardinal D.E.E.P. Team will build a prototype platform for such a drill. This platform will be compact and mobile until deployment, at which time the unit will be made ready for fully automated drilling operations. Cardinal D.E.E.P. will be working with Cardinal B.E.A.S.T. and DIRECTION to complete a fully capable exploration and drilling unit. Utilizing collaboration with industry and academia contacts, decisions regarding rig stabilization and drill positioning will be made upon completion of this design. This report contains all research, design, timeline, and budgeting necessary for successful completion of the project.

Jay Barnett works on BEAST board.

CARDINAL INTEGRATION PANEL

Laurie Crawford   Jason Patterson

Jessica Burch

Squirt after her diet.

Three Direction Team Members

Jessica Burch•Jake Truncale•Erin Tade