September 18, 2008

Purdue students to compete in Swiss automation design contest

That's what seven Purdue University students taking part in a Swiss-led design contest are charged with figuring out.

The Purdue students, all majors in electrical and computer engineering technology, are teaming with four students from Lucerne University of Applied Science and Arts in Switzerland to form a team that will compete in the Darwin21 automation design competition in Lucerne in June. It will be one of 13 teams competing.

Jeff Richardson, an assistant professor of electrical engineering technology who is helping advise the students, said the Darwin21 contest was created by Swiss companies as a tool to attract students to careers in the automation industry, as well as to help teach students how to solve complex challenges.

"This is a great learning opportunity for students on several levels," he said. "They learn not just the technical skills required to build an automated robot-like creation, but they also must work with teammates from Switzerland, so they must find ways to work past language and distance barriers. Those are skills that will definitely serve them well when they enter the work force."

This year's theme is "the body as a communicator." The students will use skills in computer design, electronics and mechanics to build a body -- minus a head, but that can include arms and legs -- that must respond to voice commands, such as to relax, rejoice or salute.

After students complete their projects, they will travel to Lucerne in June for two weeks to perform the final product integration with the Swiss members of the team and participate in the competition. The creations will be judged, and while there are no prizes given out, those participating say the real reward is simply taking part in the process.

"Purdue was asked to participate in this due to our long-standing relationship with the Lucerne university, and we are the first American university to compete," said Glenn Blackwell, an associate professor of electrical engineering technology who is helping advise the students with Richardson. "Industry members pay for the equipment, computers and most of the cost of travel, so it's a wonderful opportunity to make contacts and get a global experience."

The Purdue students will do a lot of their work on the project in design courses taught this semester by Richardson and in the spring by Blackwell. They also will meet face-to-face outside of class and collaborate with their Swiss counterparts via e-mail, videoconferencing or phone.

The Swiss team traveled to West Lafayette in early September for initial meetings, and the entire team won't meet again in person until June.

Andy Howard, a senior from Lafayette, Ind., is captain of the Purdue side of the team and is looking forward to expanding his skills.

"This is a unique opportunity — not the traditional design project," he said. "My area is high-performance computing, and I've never built a robot, so this will be a real education for me. I've also never been overseas, so it will be exciting to travel to Switzerland and make industry contacts."

The Darwin21 contest is held every two years. The first contest was in 2006-07, with the theme of "emotion." Teams had to make a head that could respond to voice commands and demonstrate a set of emotions, such as joy, anger and fear.

After judging is complete, the projects will be taken to various schools in Switzerland and will be on display for students to view.

Corporate sponsors include automation-related companies Endress+Hauser Inc., PhoenixContact, Siemens, IFM Electronic, and Rexroth, a division of the Bosch Group.

Writer: Kim Medaris, (765) 494-6998, kmedaris@purdue.edu

Sources: Jeffrey Richardson, (765) 494-7499, jjrichardson@purdue.edu

Glenn Blackwell, (765) 494-7726, blackwell@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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