Spring 2023

Spring 2023 Muhammad Rashid Best Project Award winners.

Spring 2023 First Place #1

Chess Robot (V.I.C.T.O.R)

Team Members
Connor Oldham, John Kreuser, T.J. Miller, Brandon Moberly

Mentor
Dr. Mohamed Khabou

Abstract
V.I.C.T.O.R uses computer vision to map a matrix representation of the board and assigns labels to the pieces detected. The matrix is passed to an internal chess engine, Stockfish 15.1, using FEN string notation to determine a counter move. Once Stockfish determines a move, a string is passed containing information to instruct our mechanical arm to make the desired move.

Spring 2023 Second Place 

The Resistor Vending Machine

Team Members
Quin Godwin, Aryn Hightower, Hunter Rose, Kimberly Vissepo

Faculty Mentor
Professor Sam Russel

Abstract
Resistors purchased by the University of West Florida (UWF) arrive on large cardboard spools, requiring instructors and teaching assistants (TAs) to manually count and cut resistors to place in bins and dispense to students. This method is cumbersome, time-consuming, and makes it difficult to track inventory. Students know too well what it is like to set up a lab or project only to find out the resistors selected are incorrect. Resistors are commonly either wrongly placed in labeled bins or misread as the identification strip colors are misinterpreted, like what is thought to be gold is actually brown. The aim of this project is to improve the accuracy and convenience of the disbursement of resistors to students in UWF’s Circuits Lab. The resistor vending machine houses nine identical modules, each with the ability to count, load, cut, and distribute breadboard resistors of various values. Each module holds up to 500 resistors and functions in connection with an LED touch screen to dispense or load the resistor tape. The LED screen displays the number of resistors currently available within the machine and allows the user to choose the amount to be dispensed and cut. The resistor vending machine allows students to save time by dispensing the desired amount of resistors promptly, thus potentially increasing a student's efficiency in coursework and allowing students to study more. The resistor vending machine can increase productivity, save time, improve classroom organization and inventory accuracy, and can be conveniently placed in schools, laboratories, or workshops that use breadboard resistors.