What fun is programming a robot if you can’t actually build it and let it rip?
Four student teams in the Robotics 370 class taught by Ting Liu, Ph.D., associate professor of computer science, did just that. They spent their semester creating robots designed to complete practical tasks, then let them do their stuff at the annual RoboShow on December 5.
“The students got the opportunity to showcase their creativity and innovative approaches to problem-solving through their robotic projects,” said Liu.
The teams created the following:
- A-maze-ing Carl utilizes autopilot, object recognition and arm control techniques to navigate a maze, find an object and bring it back.
- Larry, which was designed for use in hazardous environments like caves and mines, navigates a dark, obstacle-laden tunnel to deposit an object and return to its starting point.
- ParkMate is a robotic parking assistant that can scan vehicle plates, locate available spots and compute parking time and fees, to help streamline parking management and lot maintenance.
- Bot Ross takes images drawn directly on its screen and reproduces them on a whiteboard.
In addition to programming and building the robots, the students also had to present posters, which helped develop their communication skills. Liu said they received direct feedback from faculty and fellow students during RoboShow, providing valuable insights into improving their projects.
“They had to explain their work clearly and concisely, which is a critical skill in both academic and professional settings,” said Liu.
Brenden Talasco '25 worked on the Bot Ross project team.
"It was definitely fun to bring our project idea to life throughout the semester, as we initially had lots of doubts about how well we could pull it off," he said. "My favorite part was getting to show off our hard work during the RoboShow for everyone to enjoy! It ended up being a very memorable day for all of us."
