What: A robot to explore tunnels in an ancient temple complex in rural Peru. The robot was able to explore and better understand more than 30 tunnels in the temple, some over 100 feet long, and it discovered an intact 3000 year old sacrificial ceramic vase, which I was able to excavate (check out the video below to see the moment I dug out the vase!). It received significant media coverage in the Peruvian and international media.
How: The robot drives using 4 motors, transmits a live video feed, sends sensor data, and lights its surroundings using multiple LED arrays. The body of the robot was created from laser cut and 3D printed parts, and it drives using small brushed motors. The robot uses two fisheye cameras which can transmit video in real time using a Raspberry Pi, with an Arduino slave. The robot communicates with the computer via a socket and is controlled by a joystick which allows for intuitive control of the robot.
When: Spring-Summer 2018
Why / My role: I came up with the idea after talking with a professor from the archaeology department, applied for a grant, and recruited another student to partner with me for the project. The two of us designed the robot from scratch with an understanding of the constraints and acquired the materials to bring to Peru, where we built and programmed the robot on site, with limited internet access for 8 weeks. I handed off the project to another team of student engineers, and they have continued development of the robot over the last two years.
Media: Reuters Article, Stanford Engineering Article, My blog about the experience
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