ME Robot Show
The University of Minnesota Robot Show is the culmination of seven weeks of work for students in ME 2011: Introduction to Engineering.
THE TASK: Create a computer-controlled machine that "does something useful." Students received a small kit of parts, and could add no more than $60 of their own materials.
THE RESULT: Nearly 200 robots ready for public viewing!
Come see the robots in action! Join us and support our talented students. The Robot Show is open to the public and free to attend.
“Students learn by doing. It is one thing to design a product on a computer, but engineers also need to build and test prototypes to see if their design actually works,” said William Durfee, University of Minnesota mechanical engineering professor and director of engineering design education. “This project prepares students to be better designers, ready to find solutions to complex problems that require multiple types of engineering in their solutions.”
The robots must act for no more than 60 seconds and have at least one moving part, but it is up to the students to determine what their unique machine does, whether that be shuffling a deck of cards, screwing in a light bulb, or crushing a can. Students received a small kit of parts (a small computer, motor, battery, and some electronics) and could add no more than $60 worth of their own materials.