This year UB Robotics aims to be number one as they edge their hopes on the club's primary project, an autonomous robot being redesigned for the Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition (IGVC) in Rochester, Michigan.
"Last year we placed 10th out of 47 teams," said Daniel Muffoletto, a senior electrical engineering and physics major and club president. "We're definitely aiming for top five this year, but I see no reason why we can't place first."
For those confused with what an autonomous robot is, the definition is far simpler to produce than the final product.
"The autonomous robot is essentially a vehicle than can drive on its own. It is equipped with an onboard camera, GPS, independent motors and specially designed software that allows it to navigate on its own," Muffoletto said.
According to club officer Mark Tjersland, a senior computer and electrical engineering major, there are challenges to programming autonomous robots.
"You have to teach a computer to see, you have to teach it what's good and what's bad, " Tjersland said.
The software used to teach the autonomous robot how to navigate was designed in house, using the programming language Java, Tjersland said.
"This year we're trying to teach it visual mapping and better shape recognition," Tjersland said. "Visual mapping would allow it to remember what it has passed so it can navigate backwards if it has to."
The autonomous robot isn't the only thing the club is working on this year. In the works is a Segway-type vehicle and a mini firefighter designed to quickly turn off a candle in a model environment.
The more famous battle bot will also be competing during UB Engineers Week in mid-February.
The club meets in design teams, each of which perform different functions in the construction process. In the past there existed three separate teams; a mechanical team that worked on hardware and assembled projects, an electrical team that handled the wiring and a software team that programmed the machines.
This year, in order to improve construction, the electrical and engineering teams merged.
"We're trying to get more people involved in more aspects of the projects," Muffoletto said. "This includes involving new members more often."
The club gives tours on Fridays to prospective engineering students in hopes of bringing more than just seasoned members to their group.
Parth Kalia, a freshman mechanical engineering major, joined because he was interested about robotics in the U.S.
"I don't know exactly what I expect to get out of my time in the club, but I've always been interested in robotics," Kalia said. "I participated in the Botball competition back in my home country. I'm kind of interested in working on the battle bot."
Botball is a team-oriented competition where students build teams of four to six small robots to compete in team tasks, according to Kalia.
Students interested in UB Robotics can attend project design meetings at 126 Bonner Hall on Thursdays starting at 6:30 p.m.
The club's work and progress will be on display during UB Engineers Week while their improved autonomous vehicle will be put to the test when they compete again in early June at the IGVC.
"You don't have to be an engineering genius to join," Muffoleto said. "We welcome students of all majors."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
