Julia Spillane is a rising junior Mechanical Engineering student at Villanova University from Trumbull, CT. In her free time, she enjoys relaxing with friends, catching up on the latest TV shows, and taking long walks on the beach. This summer, she will be working with Golden West Humanitarian Foundation on the EOD Robot project. She is […]
In contrast to the two robotics projects, which are focusing on robot design, this project is working to help develop the Golden West Non-Explosive Disposal System (NEDS), a tool to destroy ordnance. In the simplest terms, the NEDS is a modified commercial Oxylance Sure-Cut © which is a hand-held exothermic torch that once ignited reaches temperatures nearly twice as high […]
When developing navigational tools for autonomous robots for tasks like mine clearing and mine detection, GPS is not always an accurate option. One alternative to help circumvent this problem is to use LIDAR. LIDAR, sometimes known as “light detection and ranging”, is used to acquire depth information about a sensor’s surroundings, which, in conjunction with regular […]
The Minebot project for the most part, is running smoothly. Testing procedures for the robot were carefully selected to ensure it can navigate as much as the rough and varied terrain found in Cambodia. The procedures specified target metrics for clearance, forward and turning speeds, and time required to complete a test. Earlier in […]
I have the task of authoring a cultural blog post this week, a grave task given that the team visited two genocide memorials over the weekend: the killing fields of Choeung Ek and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. For those of you who don’t know, the 1970s were an incredibly difficult time for the Cambodian […]
Terence Williams (Terry) is a Distance Learning student from Oakton, VA. As a mature student, Terry has previously enjoyed a 23-year career with a major, US, industrial corporation working on 3 continents, across various industries. Terry was attracted to the MS Sustainable Engineering program by its flexible approach and course structure, and ease of accessing […]
Nathan Yasuda is a fifth year undergraduate student at Seattle University working to earn a BS in both Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. He became interested in mechatronics through FIRST Robotics, participating as a team captain before returning to mentor. He’s spent the last for years working as a research assistant in the SU advanced materials […]
Over the past two weeks in country, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Robot Team has been working to complete a computer model, manufacture parts, and assemble a new robot design. With the ultimate goal to bring an inexpensive, mass producible EOD robot to low-income countries, this project has been years in the making through a […]
Since we have more people working on this team than we have weeks in country, we’re hoping to push out two spotlight posts this week. Preston will be our first spotlight this week. Preston Whiteman, from Camp Hill, PA, received his B.S. in mechanical engineering with a concentration in thermal-fluid systems in the Spring of […]
In Cambodia, landmines left from previous conflicts are epidemic to the country. Aside from injury and death, landmines prevent people from using land. At present, the country is dependent on agriculture, so large amounts of land are required to continue growth. Explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians are working to remove mines, but due to the […]
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