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Tufts Nano Lab received the 2023 Form and Function Challenge with its Ingestible Pill for Multi-Spot Gut Sampling. Source: MassRobotics
There are loads of robotics challenges, however many are narrowly centered on a particular activity or software, in response to MassRobotics. The group yesterday hosted an informational session to clarify its Form and Function Robotics Challenge.
The competitors requires college groups to “create any type of robotics or automation project that delivers a compelling form factor specific to its task while accomplishing a useful function,” stated MassRobotics.
“This call is purposefully broad,” Russ Nickerson, associate engagement liaison at MassRobotics, stated through the name. “I’ve seen competitions with a focus such as underwater robots or drones, but a lot of robots don’t get notice or have a place. We want to allow creativity and ingenuity to shine.”
MassRobotics is an group devoted to nurturing startups and different robotics and linked machine corporations in Massachusetts. It presents co-working area in Boston, networking alternatives, and packages for training and mentorship. This week, MassRobotics additionally introduced the classes for its fourth Jumpstart cohort for highschool women in Boston and growth to Lowell, Mass.
MassRobotics presents prizes and partnerships
The second annual Form and Function Robotics Challenge presents a grand prize of $10,000, plus $1,000 prizes for second and third place, in addition to a $1,000 Audience Choice Award. The Audience Choice Award may overlap with one of many different prizes, stated Nickerson.
“This challenge pairs well with student projects, capstones, and existing works,” he stated in a launch. “It is also a great way for students to work with industry leaders.”
One of the standards for the problem is that groups should use at the least two parts offered by MassRobotics’ strategic companions. They embrace AMD‘s robotics starter equipment, Analog Devices‘ inertial measurement models (IMUs), Danfoss controllers, Festo‘s pneumatic kits, Lattice Semiconductor modules with NVIDIA expertise, Novanta motors, Solidworks design licenses, and varied programs from Mitsubishi Electric and igus.
“This encourages cross-collaboration between state-of-the-art software and hardware providers,” Nickerson stated. “It can’t just be an AMD board duct-taped on top of a device.”
“Analog Devices is excited to participate with MassRobotics once again in the Form and Function Challenge,” said Natalie Brown, principal account supervisor at Analog Devices (ADI). “The challenge provides bi-directional learning with technology that paves the way for innovation in robotics and introduces teams to ADI as a future employer, supplier, or partner.”
The taking part groups preserve their mental property (IP) however ought to examine with particular person sponsors concerning nondisclosure agreements, stated Nickerson.
MIT’s WORMS staff positioned second in final 12 months’s Form and Function Challenge. Source: MassRobotics
Form and Function winners to be named on the Robotics Summit & Expo
The groups should construct a system that may “sense, compute, and actuate,” stated MassRobotics. Its judging standards consists of originality, reliability, the issue of the problem being solved, and the system’s end and mission execution.
“We’re not that concerned with commercial viability for this challenge, but we are looking for utility,” Nickerson stated. “Is the form polished, and how far is it to a final product? We’ll also look at the team dynamic and presentation and technical expertise.”
“The solutions will be evaluated by industry leaders, not the partners,” he added. “Last year, MITRE and PNG were judges.”
MassRobotics opened purposes for this 12 months’s Form and Function Robotics Challenge on Dec. 12, 2023, and all are due by Feb. 12, 2024.
The group is searching for about 10 groups from all over the world to take part, however journey is just not sponsored, replied Nickerson to questions on the decision. In addition, a staff can submit a number of entries, and a college can submit a number of groups.
MassRobotics will announce the groups chosen on Feb. 15, and it’ll maintain a compulsory data session on Feb. 21. In-person attendance is most well-liked. The precise submissions are due on April 30.
The groups will showcase their work in devoted area on the Robotics Summit & Expo on May 1 and a pair of on the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. WTWH Media, which produces The Robot Report and the Robotics Summit & Expo, is a strategic associate of MassRobotics.
“The Form and Function Challenge added a thrilling dimension to the Robotics Summit in 2023,” stated Steve Crowe, govt editor for robotics and WTWH Media and chair of the Robotics Summit & Expo. “It’s always great to see what creative students come up with around the world. We’re ecstatic to be hosting the finals again at the 2024 Robotics Summit and can’t wait to see the innovations the teams come up with.”
MassRobotics provided extra data on the way to apply on its website.