Open house showcases UC Berkeley ME students' "smart" inventions

 

A robotic fish, motorized rollerblades (an affordable version of "IT" and "Ginger" with a potential price tag of less than $200 for short distance travel) and a biochemical sensor and remedy unit (a small, portable device that can detect hazardous biochemicals, 911-inspired project) are just a few of the innovative creations that can be found at the Inventors' Open House, which features products made by mechanical engineering seniors in ME 102B, Mechanical Engineering Design.

Led by ME Professor Liwei Lin, students create "smart" mechanical engineering products using embedded computers and microprocessors. This class allows students to become familiar with the process of product development, going from a paper-and-pencil sketch to final product in the course of one semester.

Students work in teams of two to four members using computer-aided design (CAD) software, and are encouraged to create their own projects.

Other designs include a The P-Didy AutoCADY (an autonomous golf trolley), The AUTOMATIC-ALI (a machine that could load/unload materials autonomously), Portable Gas Sensor Prototype (a self-enclosed system for fast detection and response, 911-inspired project), Automated Guided Vehicle (a vehicle that can transport goods from point to point), The Decappitator (a test tube decapper for use in medical laboratories), Autonomous Mapping Robot (mapping a room and the objects without human aid), StudMaster (automatic screw feeding system), The Anti-Vomit System (a system to reduce the degree and amplitude of boat-oscillation), and The Autonomous Pursuit Vehicle (to track a specific target vehicle).

Students, faculty and staff are welcome to attend the open house on Tuesday, December 4, 2001, 3:00-6:30pm, 1168 Etcheverry Hall, University of California at Berkeley.

(Refreshments served)