Team 34 Triton-Ai Racquet Ball Launcher Magazine and Control
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University of California, San Diego
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
MAE 156B: Senior Design Project
Colin Szeto, Nate Froah, Sanad Afieh, Aarav Savla
Project Background
Our team is participating in the 2025 RoboBoat Competition, an international event that challenges students to design, build, and test Autonomous Surface Vehicles (ASVs). This competition simulates real-world maritime challenges, including obstacle avoidance, precision navigation, and environmental monitoring tasks
Problem Definition
Top View of Task
Top View of Task
Real Setup of Task
Real Setup of Task
For the 2025 competition, one of the key tasks involves a "Rescue Deliveries" mission, where the ASV must deliver racquetballs to designated targets autonomously. To address this, our project focuses on developing a reliable racquetball launcher integrated into our ASV. This launcher must operate seamlessly with the ASV's navigation and perception systems to accurately deliver payloads during the mission.
Description of Design Solution
Description of Design Solution
There are 3 components that enable the team to launch three racquet balls. The launcher, electronics box, and camera. The launcher contains a 12 volt brushed motor, magnetic encoder, servo, and hall effect sensor. The design multiplexes the output of a single motor to two actions. First retracting a spring puncher to index the “fang” with the “sear plate” which mechanically locks an extension spring in a compressed state. Secondly the action also pushes an indexing rack interfacing with an axial cam “index drum” to rotate the front loaded drum. A magnet embedded in the compound gear trips the hall effect sensor to stop the motor rotation. A servo with a wedge is then actuated completing a single cycle and launching the racquet ball.
Functional Requirements
Mechanical
Weigh less than 15 lbs
Fit within a 6-inch by 6-inch by 6-inch volume
Hold 3 racquet balls
Maintain racquet balls during pitch, roll, and yaw maneuvers (+- 30 degrees)
Launch racquet balls to a minimum distance of 20 inches and within a spread of +- 12 inches
Water resistant to splash IPx4
Ease of reloading racquet balls, from the dock when one side of the boat is accessible.
Not negatively affect the boat handling operating characteristics
Software
Interface with a jetson nano nx linux OS
Electrical
Operate on 12 volts
Performance Summary
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