Robotics Workshop

NMIMS’s MPSTME hosted a robotics workshop on its campus on the 18th and 19th August, 2007. The workshop was organised by the student branch of the IEEE here at NMIMS. The workshop was conducted by Team Autotech comprising of Ajay Nair, Rohit Nair, Akshay Pinto, Virag Parekh and Dhaval Mistry.

The workshop was centered around Basic Robotic techniques, Sense & Control, Practical orientation of Theoretical norms, take-home Robot construction, Micro-controller Interface, Wireless Robot Control, Autonomous Robotic Techniques with Project build-up/ Paper presentation Fundamentals, PCB fabrication and PCB design.

20 teams comprising around 80 students from the institute participated in this two day event.

The workshop began with an explanation on wired world which included the topics:

• Types of Motors
• Locomotion System
• Construction of a simple wired motorized vehicle
• Switches, chassis, power sources will be covered in brief

The instructors wrapped the day with a small intro about wireless robotics and its implications.
The students on their part finished assembling the robotic car on the first day. It was not a difficult task but required a lot of skill and precision. With just a few hitches here and there the first day of the robotics workshop finished smoothly with the students looking forward to the second day.

Day two began with an in-depth explanation of all essential circuits and IC’s related to wireless. Wireless robot kit were given to all the students and all the functions were explained. This was followed by explanation of parallel port programs and a bit of C programming. Besides this, controlling a robot wired/wirelessly using a computer was taught. After the theory sessions the students then moved on to level two of the workshop where they were able to convert their robotic cars (assembled the day before) to wireless cars.

The theory was minimum need-to-know fundamentals, without recourse to higher levels. This was in view of the different backgrounds of the participants and the time available. The Stress was on Hands-on Construction and “PRACTICALITY“. The practical application of the known techniques and/or the learning of new techniques in a short period of time was the major intention of our workshop.

Day two finished with all the groups successfully completing their robotic cars. The exhilarated students couldn’t wait to enter their robotics cars in various technical festivals.

All in all the two day event was a big success!

For sights from the robotics workshop, please visit the Gallery section.