HKU Robocon 2023

Host department: Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering

Supervisor: Dr. H.H. Cheung (Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering)

Project Background

The annual Robocon competition project allows HKU engineering students from different disciplines to design and fabricate innovative robots with an integration of various advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, computer vision, and real-time embedded control. Besides, it provides hands-on experiences on product design, prototyping, CNC machining, design and fabrication of electric circuit and PCB, control program development, etc.

Furthermore, senior members mentor junior members in each year and hence valuable experiences, knowledge, and skills for design and fabrication of robots can be sustained for next year’s competition. In addition, it enables the HKU students to exchange their knowledge and skills with students from local and other countries’ universities. Therefore, it motivates the students to engage in experiential learning via exploring and integrating various advanced technologies. As a result, students’ innovation and teamwork abilities would be enhanced.

Project Result and Features

This year we built four robots and sent two teams to the 2022 Robocon local contest. One of our teams “Sapientia” won the 2nd runner up.

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Future plan

Build four robots capable for full task in ABU Robocon 2023. Represent Hong Kong in Asia Pacific Contest. Upgrade the design of our robots for better performance and reliability.

Planned Project Schedule

   1st semester:

   September:

  1.   Student-initiated course organized by HKU Robocon Team open for application
  2.   New topic released, design prototype for new mechanism

     October to December:

  1.   Provide hand-on training to new members
  2.   Manufacture and test mechanism prototype

     Semester break

     December to Janurary:

  1.   Mini contest for new members to familiarize themselves with actual Robocon competition
  2.   Design robot assembly

   2nd semester:

   January to June:

  1.   Manufacture 4 robots for competition
  2.   Wire and program robots for full task
  3.   Internal mock contest between 2 teams
Recruitment
Project Media
Sharing by supervisor
We appreciate it so much that HKU Robocon team spent efforts and time on design and manufacturing of robots and participation in the competition.

– Dr. H. H. Cheung

Sharing by students

“HKU Robocon Team provides me with a chance to develop an all-round skillset in robotic development, from mechanism design using SolidWorks to part manufacturing using different equipment, like CNC machine, 3D printer, waterjet machine, etc. It also provides a good opportunity to collaborate with people from different fields. All those are experiences that can’t be provided by normal courses, In the following year, I hope we can further develop our skills and strive for a win in the competitions”

Bryce, BEng(ME)

“I learned and applied knowledge in MCU programming and PCB designing on the robots we made, which are one of the crucial parts of building a robot. These experiences are unique and cannot be acquired by taking university courses alone. I am grateful that I have engaged in the team which brings me a fruitful campus life. In the coming year, I wish to share my experiences with peers from different disciplines and strike for the best in the coming competition.”

Jeff, BEng(CE)

“Robocon team gives me the chance of designing and manufacturing mechanisms with different methods. CNC milling, sheet metal fabrication, 3D printing are used to develop robots and enriched my knowledge in the robotics field. Coordination with the electronics programming team also”

Henry, BEng(ME)

“I learnt how to apply software design pattern into robot FSM design. By designing different control modes, robots easily switch between different tasks. By reading robotics textbook, I also learn how to design different automatic path tracking for robot to automate task completion.”

Fernando, BEng(CS)

Sponsors

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation for all of the support we received from our donors, which include: