Vultures

Inspiration

The inspiration for this project came from our passion for robotics and our desire to challenge ourselves in a competitive, hands-on environment. We wanted to push our technical skills while solving real-world engineering problems under time and resource constraints.

What it does

Our robot is designed to autonomously navigate an obstacle course while completing a series of tasks to maximize points. These tasks include picking up a cube and placing it at a designated location, striking a ball with precise force so it lands in the bullseye, and successfully climbing both curved and straight ramps. The robot is capable of maneuvering around obstacles and features a mechanical arm used to lift and transport the cube.

How we built it

The robot was built using a sturdy frame, a breadboard, DC motors, servo motors, an Arduino Uno, and a color sensor. All components are securely mounted to the frame and connected either through the breadboard or directly to the Arduino. The Arduino acts as the central controller, coordinating movement, sensor input, and task execution to control the robot’s behavior.

Challenges we ran into

One major challenge we faced was limited access to the testing arena, as it closed earlier than expected. This significantly reduced our available testing time. Additionally, we were constrained by a limited number of components, which required us to carefully optimize their usage and make design trade-offs.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We are proud that we successfully implemented reliable driving and turning functionality. We also developed an innovative solution for the ball challenge and achieved the ability to climb the ramp, which required both mechanical stability and precise motor control.

What we learned

Throughout this project, we gained valuable experience in system design, mechanical design, and embedded systems. We also strengthened our problem-solving skills and learned how to adapt quickly when faced with constraints.

What's next for Vultures

We are going to use the skills acquired from this hackathon and incorporate it into our professional and personal life. We are also going to reflect on the challenges experienced during this hackathon and figure out better more efficient solutions for the future.