End of the Semester Projects

This has been a truly busy semester. I have not even had time to think of new projects to start. I have been working hard on school related projects though. They are starting to come to fruition as well. I will be posting on them soon, as well as posting on the progress of the SAVER First Responder team. Both of my big school projects are due on Tuesday of next week, so I had better get back to preparing those for presentation.

Day Two

The first day of school is over. The second has begun.

We have already had our first Robotics Team leader's meeting. Everyone seems to be in the mood to get started on fixing our robots. With the regime change, there will be some other changes coming too. We are going to be keeping our shop much cleaner (YAY!).

There is still plenty to do on our robots. The Aluminator is going to be used for programming the A.I.. While the computer gurus on that, the rest of the team will be working to make Stereo Opticon all it can be. Installing the new motor controllers, motors, and hopefully new wiring harnesses. It will be a very exciting time!

My autonomous helicopter research group will be having their first meeting on Wednesday. Hopefully we will be able to get just a motivated as the Robotics Team.

Victory Lap

We got our results back today for ME161's design challenge... I think the numbers will speak for themselves:

Team	Weight, lbs, oz	Weight Penalty	Run 1	Run 2	Run 3	Total	Rank
Finish Line	4,14	0	300	300	100	533.33	1
Creative Innovations	3,15	0	300	200	200	533.33	1
Employees Must Wash Hands	4,15.6	0	300	240	160	533.33	1
A-Team	5,1.4	0.09	300	240	300	529.25	2
Mercury	4,15.4	0	160	300	160	506.67	3

We are the A-Team. We had the best, most consistent runs out of any of the twenty other groups to compete. The only thing that held us back was our weight. We are pleased, but also very disappointed by the results. A little more than 4 points and we would have won.

Anyway, here is our team picture with our car!

Victory!

Today, The A-Team succeeded in completing it's task!

We built a cart that was supposed to be under 5 lbs and be able to carry a 10 lbs weight. It had to move a specified distance and return half way, under stored human energy. We chose to use the 10lbs weight as our potential energy storage. We had a height limit of 4 ft and used the full extent of that height as our storage method.

The three runs were:

1. 50 ft forward -> 25 ft back - Perfect!
2. 40 ft forward -> 20 ft back - We didn't quick make it, but were only off by a bit
3. 30 ft forward -> 15 ft back - Perfect!

Dr. Nisbett and his two T.A.'s were very impressed that we were able to accomplish the mission so completely. Now, I also need to let it be known that the distance was actually measured using 'zones'. Each zone was approx. 5 ft long, so you only had to keep your vehicle in the zone.

Once I can get it set up, I'll be posting my previous projects, as well as current project as additions to the blog, or my website: nick.lessley.googlepages.com