JVN: Engineering Design Process & Competition Robotics 2010

[JVN]

Hi Everyone,
Once again in Atlanta this year I'll be presenting at the FIRST Robotics Conferences. This year I am doing two seminars. In addition to facilitating the Panel Discussion on Decision Making and Compromise, I am also doing a presentation on Applying an Engineering Design Process to Competition Robotics.

This is an upgraded version of the presentation I gave last year. I will be presenting on Wednesday from 6:15PM to 7:00PM.

Abstract:

This presentation will outline a sample engineering design process and describe its individual steps. Examples of how it can be applied to the typical competition robot build season will be provided along with descriptions of several different tools which can be utilized during this process.

Key engineering principles & lessons will be described as well as methods to demonstrate and emphasize these principles to students on a competition robotics team.

The 2010 FRC148 build process will be discussed highlighting ways to integrate the engineering design process and emphasizing milestones where key engineering principles were applied. Details and examples from the Robowrangler’s season will be shown including concept sketches, pictures and video showcasing prototype evolution, as well as detailed designs. Demonstrating how the Robowrangler robot evolves over the course of a season will showcase the iterative design process.

Some key discussions will be: “Prototyping for Success”, “Design is an Iterative Process”, “Continuous Improvement”, and “Engineering Problem Solving”.

I really enjoy speaking (some would say rambling) on this subject. Last year's presentation seemed to be pretty well received, and I published a whitepaper further diving into the topic.

This year I am excited to be joined by two Greenville HS seniors, Charles Wensel and Parker Francis (designers of the "Nonadrive"). These two young men are in their third season with the Robowranglers and will be presenting more of the specifics of 148's process.

For more information on this and other conferences, look here:
http://usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/....aspx?id=11300

Hope to see some of you there!
-John

PS - I absolutely HATE following up Karthik and Raul. If you attend one of their incredible presentations please lower your expectations before attending mine...

[Jeff Pahl]

I'm hoping this gets recorded! I was really looking forward to attending this year, but the change to the inspection schedule requires that I be elsewhere

[Nawaid Ladak]

Originally Posted by Jeff Pahl

I'm hoping this gets recorded! I was really looking forward to attending this year, but the change to the inspection schedule requires that I be elsewhere

I will be recording the event. If i get permission from the presenters. I will post the video online (most likely in 720p, if not 1080p)

[Akash Rastogi]

2 things: 1) We can pay at the door, correct? 2) Will you guys be bringing some pieces of the practice bot?

[thefro526]

Originally Posted by Akash Rastogi

2 things: 1) We can pay at the door, correct? 2) Will you guys be bringing some pieces of the practice bot?

Stogi,

You will be able to get tickets at the door, but it seems like they prefer you to purchase them online in advance, which ends on 4/9.

At-the-door purchase prices (credit card only for on-site payments):

* Single Session Pass - $10
* Invididual All Access Pass - $40
* Team of 5 All Access Pass - $150

[JVN]

Originally Posted by Akash Rastogi

Will you guys be bringing some pieces of the practice bot?

I don't think we'll have any pieces of the practice robot. If you want to see Armadillo, you'll need to stop by the pit and see the black & red version.

-John

[Joe G.]

Originally Posted by Nawaid Ladak

I will be recording the event. If i get permission from the presenters. I will post the video online (most likely in 720p, if not 1080p)

Is this recording available anywhere?

[Phil Ross]

Originally Posted by rocketperson44

Is this recording available anywhere?

Not yet, but when it is you will find it here

[Nawaid Ladak]

Originally Posted by rocketperson44

Is this recording available anywhere?

i have my recording, not on the zi8 though (I was supposed to get extra batteries for the camera, BUT they came in the day AFTER i left for Atlanta, so i have it from a digital camera in VGA)

I need to split it and get the presenter's approval before i put it up online.

The same goes for Karthik's presentation (in 720p i think), and for the Panel discussion (part 1 in 720p, part 2 in VGA). (These two are on my netbook, which i left the charger for in Atlanta, so i need to wait for the new one to come in. additional step in the process i guess) I need to split those videos up and get approval from the presenters/panelists b4 i put those up online as well.