Senior Design Projects

[cadandcookies]

Originally Posted by GeeTwo

Being as it's an engineering project, make sure you are solving an identifiable real-world problem, not just creating a neat thing. Outside of a demo or a competition, it's rather difficult to find a problem that is solved by a lightweight swerve drive that could not also be met with omni or mecanum, or that would be better met by an automated x/y/theta table.

I'm not terribly sure why an engineering project necessitates it to be something directly applicable to the real world, especially since with a senior design project we're talking about the academic world.

I think perhaps a better suggestion would be to make sure you're working with your advisor to ensure that the project will meet your institution's standards for senior projects, which it sounds like Ryan is.

Also, a philosophical aside, I have somewhat of a difficult time suggesting people not create "neat things" as opposed to only creating things that solve problems that are visible now. For sure in industry, it's necessary for companies to operate that way, but in college, which is an excellent time to try new things and expand one's horizons, I can't really see it.

Apologies for soapboxing. Ryan, I wish you the best of luck in your senior design project. It sounds like an excellent idea to at least pursue, given your interests.