The objective of Lab 8A is for the team to conduct four performance tests. These four tests include designing the AEV, creating Arduino codes that would complete the track layout as stated in the Mission Concept Review, and completing the scenario as mentioned in the Mission Concept Review. Two AEV designs will be tested as well as two different arduino codes. Finally, the scenario must be completed, and the best running of the program will be used in the Critical Design Review. If the team is unable to accomplish all the aforementioned tasks, reasons for failure must be provided, with solutions to these problems also present.The purpose of this lab is to successfully test the AEV and to make sure that it runs correctly and efficiently. This lab makes sure that the AEV codes that were designed for the tracks function and also the team will make sure that the AEV successfully picks up and drops off the R2-D2 figurine in the designated areas on the ends of the track. These goals will be met through tried and tested code and through troubleshooting design components until the task is completed properly.
The two designs that the team will be testing this week are the A-wing 2, which is already assembled, and the Airplane. We want to test these designs to find the most energy efficient, safe, and overall best AEV possible to improve performance. We plan to accomplish these goals by testing the AEV on the track and using data the group collects to make a decision on which design is the best. Some data will carry more weight on the final decision on the design. After, the group reviews the data, a decision will be made for the design.
The work for the lab will be distributed to different people in the team based on expertise/experience in the field. Jeffrey Horowitz will be in charge of keeping the AEV in running condition and optimize the design if necessary. Dan Heavern and J.P. Salopek will work together on the arduino code, while Alex Tetzloff will be in charge of recording data and troubleshooting/debugging any issues.
Two concepts that the team will be testing this week are the A-Wing 2 and the Airplane because they are the simplest designs and scored the highest on the concept screening and scoring charts. Although they are simple, they are efficient and the team realizes that efficiency is more important than decorations on an AEV. Thus, the team will test the cheapest, yet most effective designs, which is all around a good decision.
Lab 8A will produce valuable information about the viability of designs and the overall preparedness of the team to complete the task. The team hopes to gain meaningful analysis on the performance of two different AEV designs. This information will be used to improve the design, and the way the code is written to be more compatible with the AEV. The team also hopes to get experience working with the actual task that will be performed for final testing.