An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) is a robot which travels underwater without requiring input from an operator.AUVs carry sensors to navigate autonomously and map features of the ocean. Typical sensors include compasses, depth sensors, side scan and other sonars, magnetometers, thermistors and conductivity probes.
University of Florida robotics engineering students developed a robot Subjugator , which can to swim through underwater tubes without a remote control.
Uses :
These vehicles are used in underwater research because of their ability to work autonomously. They do not require guidance from humans despite having a capability to swim in dangerous underwater.They can collect data and material from deep inside the sea which can later be used in various research activities.
In today's world it is easier to imagine Robots walking or crawling but it would be much be much better if they can ride a bicycle! . This is possible in various ways but the only solution which pumps in my mind is Self Balancing Bicycles.A self-powered unicycle that balances itself in three dimensions, is an interesting problem in robotics and control theory.The concept is similar to what we use in Segway.
IIT Madras studenst tried to build self balancing , self driven bicycle as there final year project (shown in Video below).It would be great project idea for students of Robotic and Mechanical Engineering.
How much it costs?
All together the components, in single unit retail quantities, cost about $1500. They are:
A microcontroller board from BDMicro featuring the Atmel AVR Mega 128. $125.
A gyroscope and acceleromoter by Rotomotion. $149.
The OSMC motor controller by Robot Power. $199.
40 NIMH cells, made into nice packs by Robot Marketplace. $218.
A Magmotor S28-150. $299
The Whyachi TWM3M gearbox. $345.
A 16-inch bicycle rim with spokes. $35 from your local bike shop. 100 psi tire, which makes turning slightly easier.
A custom-machined hub.
A GT2 5 mm pitch belt, and 28 and 72-tooth pulleys.$21, $26 and $14.
Some 1" diameter tubing, TIG-welded together. $40
A guard for the upper pulley, machined from black Acetal plastic.
Benjamin Franklin is reputed to have attached a metal key to the bottom of a dampened kite string and flown the kite in a storm-threatened sky.A succession of sparks jumping from the key to the back of his hand showed that lightning was indeed electrical in nature.Never, he had imagined that same kite would be used to generate electricity on its own.
We all know about traditional windmills.Whenever, I saw windmills ,I know, there is lot of scope in designing improvement. But, before Makani Power , I had never imagined, that improvement would be of that sort which changes windmills altogether.With Makani Team's great imagination and innovation with funds from US Government and Google.Org, power can be generated using kites connected through wire from the base.
These types of wind turbines are known as Airborne Wind Turbines.An airborne wind turbine is a design concept for a wind turbine that is supported in the air without a tower.Airborne wind turbines may operate in low or high altitudes; they are part of a wider class of airborne wind energy systems (AWE) addressed by high-altitude wind power.
This project would be a great milestone for Aeronautical , Mechanical and Electrical engineering students and I would strongly recommend you to study more about what Makani Power is trying to achieve and about their concept.
The Makani team has achieved a significant milestone in the pursuit of inexpensive renewable energy during a recent flight of its latest prototype, Wing 7. Wing 7 has a wing span of 8 meters, weighs 58.4 kg and has a rated power of 20 kW.
A wind turbine is a device that converts kinetic energy from the wind into mechanical energy.This turbine can be used for many purposes such as producing electricity,grinding grain or pumping water.
In this project we are talking about how we can use it to produce electricity.
Electricity is generated by the movement of a loop of wire, or disc of copper between the poles of a magnet and this movement would be produced by our wind turbine.
Things to know :
Nearly every electric generator has a starter and a rotor. The rotor, a magnet, is placed inside the start and rotates there.If you want first build electric generator using method given here and then connect it with our wind turbine.
A washing machine is a machine designed to wash laundry, such as clothing, towels and sheets.Generally these machines has been powered by electrical energy but pedal powered machine runs with our energy.
Pedal powered washing machines can be very useful for rural places in developing countries where electricity is out of reach. Moreover , in developed countries too ,it can be used to save electricity and getting some work out.
Concept :
It is based on very simple concept.This machines has pedals which are connected with steel ring inside the drum or box. When we cycle pedals to revolve the ring inside the drum with clothes and detergent ,it started to work like any electric machine as shown in Video below.
