Mechanical Engineering students from the Arts in Robotics Course and the Fundamentals of Robotics Course presented their final projects at the first ever RoboArt Exhibition at UTSA. Student’s engineered various different projects showcasing both their artistic talent and robotics knowledge. Each presented a real-time demonstration from the student engineer that displayed the robotic aspect of their installation.
As part of their Microcomputer Systems II Course, Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering students were tasked with writing an algorithm enabling their model car to drive around the track entirely independently. Using a camera and the students’ codes, the autonomous cars could scan the lines on the track and follow them to complete the course. Sixty-six students competed in twelve different teams against each other for the fastest track completion time.
Upperclassmen students participating in the EPICS Program had the opportunity to present their senior projects encompassing years of hard work to their respective community partners. Two groups developed early prototypes of autonomous litter-removal bots for the Maverick Creek area and another group engineered a machine for the San Antonio Zoo that helped simulate natural feeding habits for their anteaters. Projects like these demonstrate the creativity and ingenuity of the EPICS students as they continue to use their knowledge and skills to help local communities.
After two semesters of hard work, freshman teams participating in the EPICS Program were able to showcase their team’s projects to visiting professionals and organizations. Each team developed a project that could be used for the betterment of the community as well as a robot to participate in the following robot competition. The United States AIR Force was one of the visiting organizations that was able to see firsthand these students' creativity and technical skills.