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Cluster 10: Robot Inventors

Week 2

Week 1

Week 3

Week 4

Weekend Trip

On our first weekend here at COSMOS, we visited San Diego's famous UTC mall, known for its upscale, open-air shopping experience. Students were able to explore many shops and restaurants, and they had a lot of fun on their first field trip.

Day 1: 7/14

Our Robots have Visions: Adding Cameras to our Robots

For our first day of week two, we were introduced to a new challenge - an autonomous, self-driving robot. Our challenge was to code it so that it would make it through a maze by itself without us controlling it. We were allowed to use different-colored stickies to mark the direction and guide the robot in the right direction.

Professor Schurgers started our morning off with a lecture on the intro to electronics. He taught us about current, voltage, resistance, and more. In addition to that, he also instructed us on proper circuitry so we wouldn't cause a short circuit on our Raspberry Pis. After a brief break, Professor Gravish came in to teach us about motion planning. He went over robot kinematics, which we would use to code the autonomous robot. By using proportional control, the robot would be able to guide itself to finish the maze.

After an appetizing meal at 64°, students headed back to lab to start on the robots. We were given new partners for the week and began to discuss ideas on how to code the robots. Most students started to test out the Raspberry Pi camera and even began to start masking colors for color detection. Students started making plans on how they would get through the maze, and each team had a unique idea, with some putting colored stickers on the wall, some on the floor, and some using different colors.

After class, students now have the opportunity to explore campus for an hour before heading back to Revelle for headcount. Many students went to Price Center to get a drink or snack to refresh themselves after class, or they explored other parts of campus.

In the evening, students had the option to play flag football, dance to Just Dance, make keychains with shrinky dinks, or go on a trip to the Warren Trails. All of the activities were very engaging, and students had an extremely fun evening.

View from the Warren Trails

The camera we attached to our chassis

Highlight of Day 1: Warren Trails

For one of the choices for our nightly programs, a group of around 68 students went on a hike to Warren Trails. We walked to a nearby forest where we were introduced to the beautiful woodland scenery that it provided. After a long hike, we were greeted by a gorgeous view of city landscape. We were able to get an incredible experience out of the relaxing walk and the stunning spectacle.

Example of how students attached their camera to their chassis in order to see in front of them.

San Diego Super Computer Center

Day 2: 7/15

Detecting Colors and Writing Algorithms

Today, we started our day off working on our ethics project and digital portfolio. Students started recording their ethics videos, with some filming live videos and skits, and others presenting a slide deck using a voice over. Students were extremely focused on their ethical dilemmas and making sure they convey their solution clearly. They also continued working on their digital portfolio, updating it based on how their robot performed in the balloon popping competition on Friday.

After our morning work time, we headed to the lab to continue working on our maze navigating robots. Most groups had a strategy on how they wanted to navigate through the maze, with some following a line, and others stopping and turning at certain points. This week's challenge is notoriously hard, and the professors and TA's were readily available to help students navigate this difficult task. While some robots worked, others struggled to navigate, and students were working extremely hard to get their robot to work. By the time lab time was over, students just wanted to keep testing their robots, as it was such an engaging challenge.

In the evening, students had the opportunity to play Smash Bros, Tie-Dye shirts and tote bags, create clay figures, or visit the San Diego Super Computer Center.

Motion Planning lecture where Professor Gravish taught students how to convert forward distance and turning distance into values for the speed of the right and left wheel.

Highlight of Day 2: SDSC

During the nightly activities, students had the opportunity to visit the San Diego Super Computer Center. Located about a mile away from Revelle, the center housed San Diego's Super Computer. Two of the RA's that led the activity were part of UCSD's Super Computer Club that participates in super computer competitions. They explained what their club does and how super computers work. Students were even able to hold a part of a super computer worth thousands of dollars (don't worry, no one broke it).

Students holding a part of a super computer

The Super Computer on the first floor of SDSC

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Our robots navigating through the maze by following a line (one method students chose to solve this challenge)

Pouches from evening activities

OnShape practice!

Day 3: 7/16

Follow the Sticky Notes!

Today, students first had a lecture on sketching and cad design by Professor Gravish. Students learned about spatial awareness and how engineers have to be very specific when sketching parts, as otherwise they will end up with the wrong parts. We learned how to do isometric drawings and different views of an object, and we learned the conventions of sketching. We then used the skills we learned to explore OnShape, as CAD software.

We then had a lecture on Metamaterials and Multi-Stability by guest Professor Michael Frazier. He explained his research on metamaterials, artificial materials that have properties that are unnatural. He then talked about multi-stability and its applications. He showed how his research combined these two topics, as his material was a metamatarial that had multiple stability levels. The lecture was very engaging, and students were busy taking notes and asking questions.

Students then headed up to the lab after lunch to continue working on their robots. This lab is extremely difficult, and many groups ran into issues. Some teams had to adjust their wheels, as they spun at different rates, while others had to change their initial color detecting algorithm. Students from different groups helped each other, as our cluster as formed a very inclusive and collaborative environment. TA's and our teacher fellow Johnnie were extremely helpful in raising potential issues with our robots and helping us solve those issues.

In the evening, there were many activities students could participate in, including baking cookies, decorating pencil bags, and playing basketball and volleyball. It was a very fun evening.

Day 4: 7/17

Cluster 10 Takes on General Atomics!

In the morning, we headed out to the clearing of the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) buildings to work on our Ethics project, our digital portfolio, and to discuss ideas for our final projects. We worked for around three hours and had lunch early at 11:45.

After lunch, we went down to the bus to head to General Atomics. There, we were introduced to various things such as giant 3D-printed tools and the workspaces. After a very informative experience, we returned to Revelle with a free bag containing postcards, a challenge coin, a pen, and chapstick.