Exploring the Limitations and Development of Long Term Robotics

Hunter Bontrager*, Guilherme Augusto Silva Pereira, Ph.D
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506

Presentation Category: Physical Sciences & Engineering (Poster presentation)

Student’s Major: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

This research project explored the development of long-term robotics through the construction and testing of a robot that can work for several hours or days. The purpose of the project was to explore the limits of a long-running robot, mainly pertaining to sensory development and independent operating time without having to recharge or stop in any way. The research that is being conducted is important in the development of robotics, as over the years we have seen robots take a bigger role and as they transition into longer times of service they will need to adapt in order to make sure that they are not a liability but an asset. The project was conducted upon an iRobot Create. Throughout the course of the project, the robot was upgraded to have better sensors, in order to give it the capability to effectively scan and map a large environment. The data that would be gathered by the robot’s sensors would then be used to give the robot a good amount of data on the environment, which can be used to navigate the robot throughout different spaces. Up to this point, we have upgraded the sensors and hardware of the robot to increase capabilities. We have also been working on simulations for the robot in ROS and Gazebo so that we can test out code in real time. This project is far from over, as in the future the project will continue by testing out battery supply, hardware upgrades, and software development.

Funding: Not funded

Program/mechanism supporting research/creative efforts: WVU's Research Apprenticeship Program (RAP) & accompanying HONR 297-level course