Desirable

The robot will be made to look less intrusive and camoflaged in the environkment it will be exploring.  So, aesthetics are an important part of this project.  The robot will have several colors.  It will be primarily sand colored and have touches of light green.  These colors will allow the robot to blend with the plants and sand found in a dune ecosystem.  To make the entired robot waterproof, the circuitry will be covered with a plastic, dome shaped cover.  This will also shade the motors from overexposure to the sun, which could cause overheating.  The appearance of the robot will not only be aesthetically pleasing, but also vital if the robot is going to asymmilate into the dune environment.

Useful

The robot was created to help allieviate stress that the dune and its ecosystem may undergo when a human walks into the dune for research. The robot, being small, subtle, and less intrusive than a human wil go into the dunes and take samples: sediment, plant, and video.  A single wireless controller will operate the robot, making it easy to run by a researcher or marine biogist. 

Usable

The robot be easy to use by the operator.  The operator will control the robot using a wireless remote control that coresponds with different functions on the robot.  Once someone understands the controls, controlling the robot will be easy.  The different buttons on the controller can be callibrated and changed to meet the operators standards.  The robot will be powered using a rechargeable battery so that the robot could be used everyday.  Also, the wireless functions will mitigate most distance restrictions so long as the robot stays within operating range.

Figure 8 - Alternate Solutions/Brainstorming - 3D Shovel Design 2

Figure 8 is a shovel design that seems best suited for the objectives tah need to be accomplished.  The tapered design allows the front end to "cut" right into the sand without applying as much force as a blunt ended shovel would need.  The shovel would be released using a servomotor, and dig into the sand as the robot moves forward.  Once enough sand is collected, the servo will swing the shovel back into its normal position, thus containing and storing the sediment sample.

Figure 7 - Alternate Solutions/Brainstroming - 3D Shovel Design 1

Figure 7 is a shovel design that could potentially be used to help take a sediment sample.  semicircle design allows the sample to easily stay in when the robot is moving.  However, one possible weakness of the design may be that its untapered front design could give the robot trouble when it is trying to push the shovel into the sand.  The shovel would be released using a servomotor, and dig into the sand as the robot moves forward.  Once enough sand is collected, the servo will swing the shovel back into its normal position, thus containing and storing the sediment sample.

Figure 6 - Brainstorming/Alternate Solutions - 3D Claw Design 3

Figure 6 is one of the most promising claw designs. It's toothed design would allow it to grasp onto plant samples easily.  After the claw has grabbed a speciman, the blade directly underneath the claw would cut the stalk of the plan it was trying to capture.  The claw would hold onto the sample until it returns to the operator.  The claw would be operated using a geared down servomotor.

Figure 5 - Brainstorming/Alternate Solutions - 3D Claw Design 2

 Although Figure 5 is a promising design, its pointed design would only allow it to grab large samples.  Another concern with the design of Figure 5 is that it would not be able to grab the plant sample efficiently.  To help it hold onto the sample better, the inside edges would be coated in rubber or another high friction material.  The claw would hold onto the sample until it returns to the operator.  The claw would be operated using a geared down servomotor.

Figure 4 - Brainstorming/Alternate Solutions - 3D Claw Design 1

Figure 4 would be an easy to operate claw design.  Although the design is simple, its straight inner edges would allow it to grasp onto almost anything with ease.  Like the other designs, Figure 4 would have its inner edges coated in rubber or a high friction material to prevent objects from falling out during transport.  The claw would hold onto the sample until it returns to the operator.  The claw would be operated using a geared down servomotor.

Figure 3 - Brainstorming/Alternate Solutions - 2D Claw Design 3

Figure 3 is the 2 dimensional  representation of Figure 6.  The representation gives measurements and a top view of the design for easy contruction later in the process.

Figure 2 - Brainstorming/Alternate Solutions - 2D Claw Design 2

Figure 2 is the 2 dimensional  representation of Figure 5.  The representation gives measurements and a top view of the design for easy contruction later in the process.

Figure 1 - Brainstorming/Alternate Solutions - 2D Claw Design 1

Figure 1 is the 2 dimensional  representation of Figure 4.  The representation gives measurements and a top view of the design for easy contruction later in the process.

Test Procedures

1. Expected to, at a minimum, provide live video data and be able to travel in and out of dunes
2. Optimally, the robot will perform the above tasks, in addition to successfully collecting plant via claw and sediment data via shovel.
3. Documenting success will be straight forward. If the above tasks are completed, then the device will be successful. Partial successes will also exist in this project.

Limitations

1. Cannot exceed 1 cubic meter in size
2. Cannot weigh over 30 pounds
3. Must not be threatening in appearance
4. Must be operated using standard rechargeable battery or car battery
5. Must be made out of VEX robot parts or parts found is systems lab

Specifications

1. Must possess a video camera to send real time video data to the operator
2. Must be able to travel easily through the dunes
3. Must be able to be used in any weather condition
4. Must be able to be wirelessly operated by a field researcher or marine biologist
5. Must be able to operate at lease 50 feet away
6. Must operate for at least 10 minutes
7. Must be able to return to operator

Design Brief (Individual)

Design and create three different systems for the vehicle: a claw for cutting and holding onto a piece of dune grass, a shovel/scoop for collecting sediment data, and a camera that can deliver real time video/images to the operator.

Design Brief (Group)

Design and create a wireless, remote controlled vehicle to collect sediment, plant, and video data that can be used by a marine biologist or field researcher in any weather condition to prevent human interference in beach dunes.

Background Information - The Solution!

While it is completely impossible to avoid going into dunes for research purposes, there is a better method for collecting data. The field of robotics offers a promising alternative to researchers in the field of Marine Biology. Robotics can offer a less threatening and invasive method to research because of their size, appearance, and maneuverability. Small and lightweight models would not plow over and destroy plant life and nesting sights. Their small and almost unnoticeable appearance would not scare away specimens. And, their almost entirely metal and plastic body wouldn’t allow invasive species to latch on and spread to other sites. Finally, their green, battery operated and wireless controls wouldn’t leave harmful chemicals in the ecosystem it was studying. Therefore, robots can serve as a much less intrusive method to study dune ecosystems and wildlife.

www.slashgear.com

Background Information - Sandy Hook, NJ

Sandy Hook, New Jersey, for example, is a popular area for research by the National Park Service, NOAA, and the students at the Marine Academy of Science and Technology. The research done by these organizations is necessary, but can still take a toll on the dune ecosystems. The endangered Piping Plover, for example, is a species of bird that only mates and nests during a specific time of the year. Human interference has been the cause of several destroyed nests in recent years. While some of these cases were blatant, the mere act of walking through dunes can allow one specimen to become attached to an unwary traveler and be transferred to another dune where it is not native; thus creating an invasive species. Ecosystems aside, constant walking on the dunes by researchers can ruin the integrity of the dune structure, which could be dangerous if large storm waves ever hit the coast.

 

www.njscuba.net

Background Information - Why Dunes Are Important

Beach dunes are the primary coastal defenses against storm waves. They are naturally made over many years and are far more effective that most manmade structures. In addition, dunes are home to many diverse biological ecosystems which draw the attention of many researchers and marine biologists. Dunes and the wildlife they support, however, are delicate structures. Frequent human interference has put a strain the on the wildlife and physical integrity of the dunes.

http://www.northforkaudubon.org/images