Going Underwater with BoilerSubs

The applications of submarines go far past traditional military operation. While submarines are a backbone of military operations, they are also used for underwater exploration, transportation and more. The level of engineering that goes into building these underwater wonders is a complex tangle of mechanics, engineering, software design, business and strategy. Though some may think this a near impossible task, students at Purdue Indianapolis are working on designing and competing in an underwater robotics challenge using the same principles that inform real submarine.

BoilerSubs, Purdue’s chapter of the international competition, RoboSub, challenges students to build an autonomous underwater vehicle that will accomplish tasks in a set time frame. These tasks include seafloor mapping, sonar localization and many other tasks that mimic real-world systems. 

“BoilerSubs is a way for Indianapolis students to get engaged with robotics in an introductory setting that pushes their limits with a different environment: being underwater,” says president and first year engineer, Vindhya Mahapatruni Ganti.

Ganti was inspired by Purdue West Lafayette Campus to start her own club after engaging in similar robotics, feeling empowered to bring a valuable learning setting to her own campus. With the help of Sydney Gorman Hillan, their advisor, the club was able to find its footing and begin.

“By founding BoilerSubs, we have provided a good starting place to learn foundational skills in CAD in Python, coding, PCB and electronics,” emphasizes Ganti. “Oftentimes in bigger clubs it takes longer to actually be able to contribute to the final project. A lot of these skills that we're using are very applicable to industry.”

The club is divided into different subsections, or teams, that specialize in the varying facets that contribute to building the final robotic product. These teams include the business team, responsible for raising funds to put into the project and marketing the project; the electrical team, which connects the electronics and handles wiring and circuitry; the mechanical team, which prototypes the robot; and the software team, which handles the coding for the robot.

“It’s a small, tight-knit community that I think is pretty representative of this campus,” says Ganti. “In this community, you are getting the chance to be hand-on and try things – and when it might not work, you get to try again.”

Though the club provides incredible hands-on opportunities, Ganti emphasizes that all levels and experience are welcome to join as a team member for BoilerSub.

“As engineers, we're ultimately problem solvers and any experience is good experience,” Ganti says to potential members.

General member meetings occur from 6-7 p.m. on Fridays, and the sub team meetings vary. To get involved, reach out to their email, bsubz@purdue.edu , and from there members get added to the group’s Discord. For sponsors interested in supporting this exciting new organization, email  bsubz@purdue.edu to inquire.

Opportunities for students to get involved and join student organizations on the Indianapolis campus continue to grow weekly, with over 30 student organizations now having a presence on the campus. BoilerLink is the prime student tool to get involved, make an impact and further connections on campus.