The 2026 ME 218C project challenged teams to design and build a steampunk themed remote controlled watercraft to navigate in Terman fountain. Each team built two systems: a Quackraft (the watercraft) and a Mallard Module (the wireless controller).

The objective was to collect rubber bath toy fauna floating in the fountain, protect four Captain Ducks from falling off the boat, and dethrone opposing teams' Captain Ducks, all while pairing, driving, and refueling.

Propulsion

• Differential drive using two tunnel jet motors, one through each catamaran pontoon. Each joystick on the Mallard Module controlled one motor independently.

Fauna Collection

• The gap between the two catamaran pontoons served as a passive holding bay. 

• A servo actuated grated bow gate controlled intake of fauna, and a fixed stern net prevented fauna from escaping out the back.

Wireless Communication

• XBee radio modules in API mode at 9600 baud, 5Hz message rate. 

• A class wide communications protocol handled pairing, driving, refueling, and error handling between any Mallard Module and any Quackraft.

Refueling

• The controller operator switches to Refuel Mode when Quackraft fuel is empty and shakes the Mallard Module, which is detected by an onboard accelerometer. 

• Fuel refills proportionally to time spent shaking, as a servo gauge on the controller displays remaining fuel in 5 levels.