Project

# Title Team Members TA Documents Sponsor
9 Antweight Battlebot
Allan Gu
Evan Zhao
James Yang
Michael Gamota design_document1.pdf
final_paper1.pdf
grading_sheet1.pdf
presentation1.pdf
proposal1.pdf
video
# Antweight Battle Bot

Team Members:
- Evan Zhao (evanhz2)
- Allan Gu (allang2)
- James Yang (jamesey2)

# Problem

We must create a Battlebot that weighs less than 2 lbs out of 3D printed materials in order to compete with other battlebots. It must be controlled through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi and be able to be easily shut down. In order to win in the competition, the robot must be robust and capable of destroying the opposing robot, while withstanding damage from other competitors.

# Solution

Our battlebot will be 3D printed with PLA+ and use a vertically spinning disk as our weapon. It will have a 4-wheel drive and be controlled via Bluetooth with an ESP32 microcontroller. This MCU will use PWM to control the H-bridges for motor activation and take in user inputs from a computer.

# Solution Components

## Control System
We plan to use an ESP32 for our MCU, as it has built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities. The battlebot will use Bluetooth to connect and communicate with a computer and a wired controller can be used with the computer to provide more inputs like varying speeds using the joystick. The controller will have a killswitch button for safe shutdown. The ESP32 has a variety of GPIO pins, which can support PWM. This will be used to control the H-bridges for motor speed and direction.

## Power System
For our robot’s power system, we intend to use a 4S LiPo (~14.8 nominal voltage, ~16.8 charged voltage). We chose LiPo as it is a standard in most combat robotics applications for its high power density and ability to discharge lots of charge quickly which is seen a lot in the combat space with high-power weapons and drive motors. Since ESP32 and other modules that we may use do not typically operate at this voltage, we will also need voltage converters and regulators to supply the appropriate power to these sub-modules (typically 3.3V and 5V).

## Movement System
Our combat robot will utilize a four-wheel drive with two brushless or brushed motors on either side of the chassis each driving 2 wheels in a tank-drive configuration. For a brushless configuration, we are considering brushless 1406 motors (https://repeat-robotics.com/buy/repeat-tangent-drive-motors/?attribute_motor-size=1406) that will provide us with plenty of power and torque for a relatively low-cost in weight. A 3-phase inverter will be needed to control the BLDC motors. If we chose brushed motors instead, we would use Repeat Drive Brushed Mk2 (https://repeat-robotics.com/buy/brushed/) which comes with an integrated gearbox and would be simpler to electrically implement than a brushless system at the cost of being less powerful and fast. The motors would be controlled with H-bridges and GPIO from the ESP32.

## Weapon System
The weapon will be some kind of vertically rotating 3D-printed weapon driven by a brushless 2207 Battle Ready Hub Motor (https://repeat-robotics.com/buy/2207-battle-ready-hubmotor/). This motor is known to be reliable and durable for battlebots. Similar to the four-wheel drive motors, we will also need a 3-phase inverter to control the BLDC motor phases.

# Criterion For Success

It would be considered successful if the movement of the robot can be controlled via Bluetooth from a PC and it can function how we would desire within a match such as turning to face the opposing robot and ramming into it with the weapon. The weapon should also be controllable and powerful enough to damage 3D-printed material while maintaining its structural stability.

Autonomous Sailboat

Riley Baker, Arthur Liang, Lorenzo Rodriguez Perez

Autonomous Sailboat

Featured Project

# Autonomous Sailboat

Team Members:

- Riley Baker (rileymb3)

- Lorenzo Pérez (lr12)

- Arthur Liang (chianl2)

# Problem

WRSC (World Robotic Sailing Championship) is an autonomous sailing competition that aims at stimulating the development of autonomous marine robotics. In order to make autonomous sailing more accessible, some scholars have created a generic educational design. However, these models utilize expensive and scarce autopilot systems such as the Pixhawk Flight controller.

# Solution

The goal of this project is to make an affordable, user- friendly RC sailboat that can be used as a means of learning autonomous sailing on a smaller scale. The Autonomous Sailboat will have dual mode capability, allowing the operator to switch from manual to autonomous mode where the boat will maintain its current compass heading. The boat will transmit its sensor data back to base where the operator can use it to better the autonomous mode capability and keep track of the boat’s position in the water. Amateur sailors will benefit from the “return to base” functionality provided by the autonomous system.

# Solution Components

## On-board

### Sensors

Pixhawk - Connect GPS and compass sensors to microcontroller that allows for a stable state system within the autonomous mode. A shaft decoder that serves as a wind vane sensor that we plan to attach to the head of the mast to detect wind direction and speed. A compass/accelerometer sensor and GPS to detect the position of the boat and direction of travel.

### Actuators

2 servos - one winch servo that controls the orientation of the mainsail and one that controls that orientation of the rudder

### Communication devices

5 channel 2.4 GHz receiver - A receiver that will be used to select autonomous or manual mode and will trigger orders when in manual mode.

5 channel 2.4 GHz transmitter - A transmitter that will have the ability to switch between autonomous and manual mode. It will also transfer servos movements when in manual mode.

### Power

LiPo battery

## Ground control

Microcontroller - A microcontroller that records sensor output and servo settings for radio control and autonomous modes. Software on microcontroller processes the sensor input and determines the optimum rudder and sail winch servo settings needed to maintain a prescribed course for the given wind direction.

# Criterion For Success

1. Implement dual mode capability

2. Boat can maintain a given compass heading after being switched to autonomous mode and incorporates a “return to base” feature that returns the sailboat back to its starting position

3. Boat can record and transmit servo, sensor, and position data back to base

Project Videos