About the Lab:
During lab 3 the team was primarily tasked with creatively thinking of potential designs for the AEV. In doing so, the group must grow familiar with the obstacles of creativity and be familiar with all of the AEV kit pieces. These skills must be used by each group member to come up with a few potential AEV design concepts. Then the group must convene and discuss their designs and come up with a group concept. This brainstorming was crucial as attempting to make the AEV with no direction would result in a very poor design that likely would not be able to do what it is tasked to do.
The approach the group went with was to start by collectively discussing the positive and negative downsides of different potential designs and deciding which aspects they would like to use for the best result. At the same time some mock concept art was created for alternative potential designs.
Take-Aways:
The group achieved a thorough understanding of the creative design process. As well, they now know which components they have access to with the AEV. The discussion about the arm and wheel placement locations has secured the foundation that the two wheels situated on the sample arm are the best way to fixate the wheels. The idea of a shell stuck with the group well, so one will most likely be used if they have access to the 3d printing. The choice of whether the base shall be perpendicular to the ground or parallel is a largely discussed topic and the group currently is in a toss-up as to why to go with one over the other. The discussion about Arduino and battery placement has secured the idea that the Arduino should definitely be stored on top of the battery in a parallel-base design to save space.
Schedule/Team-Meeting Notes:
The goals of this week are mainly to ensure that each group member understands every concept covered in lab 4. The group shall work on lab 5’s progress report over the course of the week online via google drive. If the assignment is not reasonably far along nor completed by Thursday the 16th the group shall meet again. Any preparatory work for lab 5 will also be completed.
The group met on 2/9/2017 in Hitchcock Hall around 5:00 pm. The group discussed the upcoming lab, the design that each member produced, and the completion of the progress reports. The group decided that the progress report would be done by midnight 2/9/2017 and that a final design would be decided upon before lab the following day. The group divided the requirements of the progress report among each other.
Sketches:
