P18229: Robotic Otter

Problem Definition

Table of Contents

1 Team Vision for Problem Definition Phase
2 Project Summary
3 Use Scenario
4 Project Goals and Key Deliverables
5 Customer Requirements (Needs)
6 Engineering Requirements (Metrics & Specifications)
7 Constraints
8 House of Quality
9 Benchmarking
10 Risk Assessment
11 Plans for Next Phase
12 Individual Three Week Plans

Team Vision for Problem Definition Phase

During the Problem Definition Phase, we sought to organize ourselves, by assigning team roles, solidifying our vision for the overarching project, and performing extensive background research, to reduce backtracking and delays down the road. We successfully managed to achieve these goals, although we continue to research background information related to our project to improve our capacity to design and prototype in the coming project phases.

Project Summary

The purpose of this project is to create a device that can both walk on land and swim through water. The project is based off previous RIT projects, specifically the Robo-ant and Robo-fish. Essentially this project is meant to combine the two projects to create an amphibious robot otter.

RIT Senior Design Team 12029: RobotAnt

RIT Senior Design Team 14029: RobotFish

Few amphibious robots today tend to have full integration between terrestrial and aquatic locomotion, as is the case with biological organisms capable of amphibious ambulation. Furthermore, these tend to lack agility and flexibility, and can thus not perform complex maneuvers while moving. One robot which does achieve pseudo-biological performance in this way is the “Pleurobot”, a research platform designed to mimic the physiological behavior of a salamander, however this only has planar freedom of motion while swimming.

Use Scenario

In the long term, this project could have multiple real-world uses in military and research applications. Below is an example of a research use scenario:

Research Use Scenario

Military Use Scenario

Project Goals and Key Deliverables

The goal of this project is to design an amphibious robot which can mimic the movements of otters both in and out of water. The final product should be able to swim at the surface of water, walk on land, and transition between land and water. The expected result is a functional prototype with systems that can ultimately be used in other devices for military, investigation, and research purposes in the future.

Key deliverables:

Design documents
Technical paper
Working prototype

Customer Requirements (Needs)

Customer Requirements

Working Customer Requirements can be seen here: Customer Requirements

Engineering Requirements (Metrics & Specifications)

Engineering Requirements

Working Engineering Requirements can be seen here: Engineering Requirements

Constraints

Factors that will limit potential designs:

Budget: $500
Length: Less than 36 inches with a proportional width.
Time: Manufacturing is based on availability of machine shop. Prototype must be finalized & completed by Imagine RIT (INSERT DATE HERE).
Form: Must be able to move on land and in the water.
Function: Controlled by gaming controller.
Power: Must run for at least 10 hours. This can either be off of one battery or interchangeable batteries, however, the battery should be able to recharge under 2 hours.
Resources: Parts must be made and/or ordered.
Regulations: Must comply with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines. As device will be in the water, it must be waterproof.