Thinktank

What is the budget, what resources do we currently have and can make use of [recycle, reuse, repurpose] we have partnered with different companies to help us through our build.

What have we had to use? We have used simple robot that use sensors to navigate mazes not seen prior to running.

What steps we took next? We started using robots that required programming and building robots that did not have instruction. they required us to build program and control them. but, they could also be set to do things autonomously and more than likely we could use gps on them if we understood the programming a bit more and these robot have the capability to do any and everything we need them to do. We just need to know the circumstances and what it needs to do so that we can build the robot for what the mission requires.

Circumstance that may be required to overcome?  Some obstacles that may need to be overcome can include but are not limited to mud, water, fallen limbs, animals, rocks, maybe even worker or people.

What the robot may look like and be able to do? The robot could have the ability to traverse ground air and water if we could figure out the engineering part but more than likely it will only be able to do two of them like air to water or water to land or land to air. Whatever combination is needed to make the mission as successful as possible. If it is land to water it will have wheels and a hull like a boat possible and the wheel will be the propellers and the rutters too. If it its land to air it will need to be light and still be durable. If its air to water it will need to be water tight and be able to move on the water will light problem.

Power source for the robot what will it be? It could be gas small diesels or battery each has it’s up and down. gas is easier to do but that’s a opinion to who you ask and diesel may end up being how we need to go because it provides a lot of torque and battery if geared right can make a lot of torque as well and the problem with the battery it that it stay the same weight un like the gas or diesel motor which get lighter as the run because they use fuel but put out the same power the whole time and the battery does not do that it puts out power that gradually declines and the battery stays the same weight. So what will we choose well we will choose what is the most practical and what is the most cost effiecnt and is the easiest to accomplish with as little problems as possible.

How will we make revenue? Is it realistic? Science fiction or science fact?   

What if the robot gets stuck? How will we retrieve it from a non –traversable terrain [mud/swamp/wetland] or hazardous location?  Well first we will test the robot in a controlled area to see what it can and can’t do and if for some reason it does get stuck we will have a second robot to go and retrieve the first robot

Should we let the idea go public before we make it? Trade secret or patentable? No we shouldn’t let it go public because someone with the same idea could be like well we had that idea first. that being said so we should definitely patent it if possible

Where will we start the robot? At what safe distance? At what battery achievable/power distance? The robot will either start here at school or it could start closer to the site. The battery may be a problem but we are trying to solve that as of now.

How will it be controlled if it loses connection? GPS? If it somehow loses power the second robot will retrieve it but if it just loses signal it will have a timer that starts a return program.

What if the robot gets damaged? Can it repair in the field or does it need to be retrieved? If t gets damaged but is still operable it will continue the mission but if it stops and need to be retrieved then it will be

Can we make it environmental safe? No harmful fumes? Its battery power so I will be eco friendly

How can it be protected from species? Protective shell? Some kind of armor may be necessary to protect against falling objects

How can we keep the water still? Do we collect a large sample of the area? How do we collect?

Can we increase the number of samples? Bigger bot? Test tube sized? Or larger?

How much time will it take? An hour? Or 2? How long to get to site and back? How long to collect samples?

What is the safest way for the robot to make it back? Fly? Drive? Manual?

If the robot does run off of batteries, then what if the batteries die? Backup solar power?

How will we make it legal? Check regulations?

Will it be universal? Can it go anywhere in the world?

How will we attract attention of potential buyers? Create an advertisement?

Letting each member know all the reasons of the idea. Make sure everyone knows what we’re doing.

Making sure the power of the robot can also hold its weight. Must have a big power source for a big bot. so car battery?

What should the robot be made out of? Carbon fiber/aluminum