Articulated Robot Hand

The purpose of this project is to create a robotic hand that articulates and grips objects like a human hand. The robotic hand includes a single miniature servo for each finger joint, as shown in Figures 2 through 4, allowing full and independent articulation of the nine different primary joints in the hand. The motion of each servo, and therefore each finger joint, is governed by a PIC microcontroller. Use of a microcontroller-based control scheme, as opposed to PC-based control, allows for a more portable, versatile design. A buzzer-based warning system notifies the user of any major irregularities in the operation of the robotic hand. The force exerted by the hand on an object being gripped, will be monitored by touch sensors mounted to the end joints of each digit. A small LCD will display information relating to the operational mode of the hand, as well as any relevant user warnings. A set of potentiometers allow the user to manually control the rotational position and reaction speed of each joint. A 4x4 keypad enables the user to navigate an operational menu displayed on the LCD, and to select a preset position in the automatic operating mode

Final Design Report: Equipment Checkout Team

The Trinity University Communication Department is currently using a handwritten logbook to keep track of expensive cameras kits and associated equipment. Check-in and check-out are documented in the logbook by a student worker. Unfortunately, this time consuming and labor-intensive process leads to inventory mismanagement and expensive equipment loss each semester. The purpose of this project is to create an inventory database that will remove responsibility from the student worker, increase the speed of check-in/check-out, and ultimately prevent loss of equipment. The prototype described in this report uses an Ipad app to implement the user interface, FireBase to implement the database, and RFID tags and a RFID reader for 1 input into the information processing subsystem. In order to ensure that the designed prototype meets the project objectives, various tests were conducted. The prototype tests are divided into four modules: manage inventory, manage users, check-in/check-out, and RFID tag testing. The purpose of these prototype tests are to analyze the functionality of the following capabilities: ability to automatically check-in and out equipment using RFID tags and the U-Grok-It RFID reader, keep track of users and kit items (includes adding and removing users or kits), check availability of kits, and confirm that the person borrowing the equipment is authorized to borrow. An added function is the ability to manually check-in/out equipment if needed. After conducting these tests, the results proved that the designed prototype meets most of the objectives outlined in the final Project Charter. The designed system eliminates the need for paper documentation, speeds up the check-in and check-out process, and ultimately removes responsibility from the student worker. Two features described in the project charter were not met. These include email notifications for overdue equipment and a printable late fee invoice that may be submitted to the student billing department. Currently, we have been testing one prototype kit. We will finish implementing the system for nine other kits before our final presentation