Project Summary and Introduction

Robotics

Robotics is the combination of engineering and computer science to create machines that complete human tasks more efficiently. These machines, or robots, are systems that perceive the environment and react according to it. Robotics focus on the design, use, and construction of the robot to do simple and repetitive tasks or work in environments that are hazardous to humans.

Computer Science

Computer science deals primarily in the software side of computers in comparison to computer engineering, which deals in both software and hardware. Computer scientists design many different things from user interfaces to robots to operating systems. Some specializations of Computer Science include artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, and data science.

Our team was tasked with designing and programming a virtual robot to navigate a natural or man-made disaster scene. We were given sample codes to modify for our needs and were allowed light sensors, ultrasonic sensors, bumper switches, and limit switches to navigate a course of our creation. We created our own course for the robot to navigate and programmed the commands for a successful runthrough. Additionally, we wrote a research paper on the use of robots in disaster recovery and made connections with the usage of technology in natural disasters, and at the end of the week, we built a robot with the other teams via Twitch.