Overall Status Update
This week, overall, we have been working towards our interim demo. Since had our robot’s motors somewhat working and moving, we wanted to link the rest of our parts together. We finally started collecting data since our ADCs arrived, completed the initial training of our ML model, and we worked towards integrating the LiDAR with our robot. The goal we have set for ourselves by the interim demo is having a robot with a LiDAR feed that the user can view, a robot that can be controlled by the keyboard as we move towards making it autonomous, and a basic ML model that can identify cracks as they occur. After interim demo, we begin fine tuning and integrate the solenoid tapper to indicate where the crack or defect has occured in the HVAC duct, working towards a more robust and accurate ML model, and an autonomous robot. We want to also end with thorough testing, and throughout the entire process we will be collecting more data.
What are the most significant risks that could jeopardize the success of the project? How are these risks being managed? What contingency plans are ready?
We are worried about using LiDAR to enable our robot to move autonomously. Since this has been one of our pain points for the last 2 weeks, during the interim demo week we plan to work and read papers to familiarize ourselves with using LiDAR and enabling the robot to become autonomous.
Another thing that poses as a risk currently to our group is getting enough data to train our ML model. To mitigate this, we have found various surface panels with corrosions and cracks and will begin training on this while also finding other surfaces we can use for validation testing.
Were any changes made to the existing design of the system (requirements, block diagram, system spec, etc)? Why was this change necessary, what costs does the change incur, and how will these costs be mitigated going forward?
No changes were made this week, we are proceeding with the design that was in place last week.
Provide an updated schedule if changes have occurred.
The overall schedule of the project remains mostly consistent as of now, however after the initial feedback after the interim demo this may change.