Project Description

The core intent of our project is to design and evaluate an autonomous advertising robot.  The robot will be able to navigate city streets while avoiding obstacles and evading collisions.  It will also be able to interact with prospective customers and demonstrate to them it’s wireless capabilities. 

 This project will require a great deal of work.  Basic designs like the system of wheels and motors are complicated by an intricate navigation system.  The robot needs to know not only whether it is about to run into something, but also be able to determine the nature of the object.  It must recognize customers and know when and how to react to interested observers.  It must be able to recognize when it is safe to perform even the most basic functions, such as crossing the street. 

 The details that must be addressed in the design and production of such a robot are complex.  There are an almost infinite number of challenges that an autonomous robot may face, and it has to be ready for anything.  But with enough attention to the details of the engineering and the safety and control of the robot, our autonomous advertising robot will be able to overcome these tasks. 

Here are some pictures of parts that we have ordered for our prototype.  We will now begin the process of assembling the robot and will eventually be setting up the computer hardware and software needed to make it run.