August 17, 2024

More Ideas on 3D Ocean Farming; Focus on Building Attachments

Ocean Farming Enthusiasm Continues: A Dive into Challenges and Solutions

The team's passion for ocean farming is stronger than ever as they dig deeper into the challenges and brainstorm innovative solutions. Today, each member had the opportunity to present their research and share new ideas.

• Leon introduced the concept of the "Underwater Worker Drone," envisioning it as an ocean tractor. He even outlined potential next steps, like purchasing a low-cost underwater drone and building specialized attachments for it.

• Wanying tackled the issue of cold working environments in ocean farming. Her proposed solution is to design a robot capable of monitoring and harvesting seaweed, ensuring efficiency even in harsh conditions.

• Jason suggested placing water fresheners around the farm to combat pollution. The team was intrigued by the idea of a robot moving around the farm, emitting signals to keep fish at a safe distance.

• Daniel focused on how underwater robots could save farmers time and labor by maintaining a healthy environment for seaweed cultivation.

• Brandon proposed a three-step approach to 3D farming: planting, inspecting, and harvesting. He believes that harvesting offers the most potential for innovation. His idea involves adapting tree-cutting robotics for underwater use. Excitingly, Brandon shared a prototype he built with Coach Will, which sparked great enthusiasm among the team, all eager to see it in action.

• Larry discussed the problems he uncovered and the solutions he envisioned. He suggested using a small, autopilot submarine and a specially engineered boat designed to pierce through ice. Another innovative idea he proposed was deploying floating robots to manage ropes and floating buoys.

Building Attachments: Where to Start?

When it comes to building attachments, the team knows there are many factors to consider. Their guiding principle has been to start with the mission model and work their way back to the robot, ensuring each attachment is purpose-built for the task at hand. Today, the team brought the attachments they’ve been developing and tested them on the competition table.

• Olivia kicked things off with her hand-drawn attachment that looked like it jumped straight out of a high-tech blueprint. Her detailed illustrations emphasized the importance of meticulous planning and sharp visualization. Even it's an illustration, you could see it working!

• Leon, our sonar mission specialist, has been in the lab fine-tuning his attachment like a mad scientist. His creation, which spins a yellow lever in a precise turning motion, is a mechanical masterpiece. 

• Reina, the team’s queen of adaptability, unveiled her Shark Habitat attachment. It’s as nimble as a dolphin and as agile as a sea otter, ready to tackle whatever the mission throws its way. 

• Larry strutted in with not one, not two, but three versatile attachments, each more capable than the last. These weren’t just random doodles brought to life; each started as a carefully crafted hand-drawn sketch.

• Brandon’s attachment was the perfect partner for his “Little Red Robot,” a dynamic duo that’s sure to steal the show. 

• And then there was Daniel, the picture of concentration, testing his attachment with laser-focused precision.