Overview of Status of Analysis, Design, Fabrication, Tests, etc.
Finalized analysis of tether pulling force; tether is a high risk
Shifting focus to other components: treads and wireless communication
Accomplishments from Previous Week
Compiled theoretical and experimental results on tension in a pulled tether
Presented findings to section, professor, and sponsor
Purchased RC cars to test strength of wireless connection and turning ability inside tubes
Goals for Next Week (list names after each item). Use specific and measurable objectives.
Test how deep into soil wireless connection of a cheap RC car can reach: Katie
Test the RC car's turning mechanism and ability inside the PVC pipes: Yaz
Figure out how to modify Tamiya tank to make turns: David and Jiuqi
Sponsor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
Agreed that the tether is a likely failure mode on zoom, 4/29. Encouraged us to start researching and testing the feasibility of going fully wireless in the design, with possibly a very thin tether just for emergency retrieval. We started researching that and bought RC cars to start preliminary testing.
Instructor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
Prof. Delson encouraged the whole team to go through the theoretical analysis of tether tension together to figure out the discrepancy with experimental results, on zoom 4/27. We did that and think it is most likely due to the compressibility of soil (and presence of roots) that is different from the rigid walls assumed in the model. Testing was conducted on PVC pipes to verify this, as well.
Risks and Areas of Concern
Tether is so far the main risk area. We are still considering attaching a spool to the end of the vehicle, or going fully wireless
Another area of concern is the tread design, which we will start focusing on now
Resources or Information Required but not Available
NA
Schedule
Test RC car as soon as it arrives, hopefully in the next week
Put together results of research on wireless communication
Put together concepts and research on treads
Progress on Report and Webpage
Written first draft; some of chapters 1, 3, and 5