Watson Fab Lab "Autonobot"

During my sophomore year, I was tasked with developing an autonomous robot to serve as an instructional tool for K-12 tours of the Fabrication Lab. This project became one of my most in-depth explorations into electronics design, an area that had previously felt intimidating. With guidance from the lab technicians, I learned to design and prototype electronic systems from the ground up.

Starting with only an Arduino Nano, motors, and a battery, I independently developed the full control system, beginning on a breadboard before creating a custom PCB in Fusion 360. The robot featured a swiveling LiDAR sensor that scanned for the farthest open path and reoriented to travel in that direction, along with bump sensors for obstacle avoidance. I designed a 3D-printed housing shaped like a small robot driving a UFO, printing it in multiple sections that could be accommodated by the lab’s printers. An acrylic window was cut on the waterjet allowing students to see the internal components during demonstrations.

Completing this project not only deepened my understanding of circuit design and embedded systems but also gave me the confidence to present it as an engaging educational tool for visiting students.