For our alpha prototype, the team divided into 3 subgroups, one focused on structural elements of the deliverable, one focused on the electrical side, and one focused on motion-tracking. Each of these subgroups, composed of 4 team members, completed separate prototypes, which will be integrated down the road.
Concept Generation:
Building on our progress from last semester, the team explored ways to most effectively put our functional requirements into action. With the knowledge that we wanted to create a robotic solution, we brainstormed possible solutions and referenced relevant existing technology.
Concept Selection and Refinement:
In order to narrow down our solution space, the team considered both what would create the most optimal outcomes as well as what would be the most realistically achievable, given our time and budget constraints.
Prototype Description and Intent:
Tracking Group:
The tracking group’s alpha prototype used a webcam and YOLO object detection software to successfully detect a unique person and track them.
Electrical Group:
The electrical group’s alpha prototype consisted of a simulation of the electronic system that considered some preliminary expected components.
Structure Group:
The structural group’s alpha prototype explored the wheelbase, body shape, size, and user interface as each of these contributed to the final form of the robot.
More information is available here!
Evaluation Criteria and Results:
Tracking Group:
Evaluation Criteria:
The tracking group conducted live runs using their tracking software. The goal was to have the software track one person despite possible obstacles.
Results:
The software was able to identify and track an individual. However, there are still issues when another person completely blocks the desired individual from the camera. A recording of these tests can be seen here!
Electrical Group:
Evaluation Criteria:
The electrical group conducted a simulation to determine if each component of the electrical lights and sirens could be provided enough power to function.
Results:
The test resulted in a simulated electrical circuit that can be recreated as a physical circuit and a graph that showed the output voltages each component would receive with an input voltage of 24 volts.
Structure Group:
Evaluation Criteria:
The structure group had multiple evaluating criteria. The appearance team completed student surveying to determine shapes and colors that were the most approachable and comforting. The control panel team conducted trials to determine the most intuitive and fast panel layout.
Results:
The appearance team found that a purple-blue color and teardrop shape were most comforting. The control panel team found a preferred layout for user interaction.
More information is available here!
Stakeholder Involvement:
Our team’s stakeholders, specifically Lafayette College students, were engaged in testing for the user interface, body shape, and body color.
Reflection on Design Review:
The greatest takeaway from our team’s design review session was the enormous number of possible complications that could arise. For example, if a user falls to the ground, they need to be able to access the control panel; in the case of precipitation, the robot’s cameras will lose their ability to identify a user.