Mind-inator competition robot

A timed electromechanical robot for Georgia Tech’s ME 2110 competition

Mechanism design
Prototyping
Robotics

Final Mind-inator robot with its mechanisms deployed during the final competition — Final robot with mechanisms deployed during competition.

Rendered preferred robot design labeled with retrieval, telescoping lift, scissor push mechanism, Arduino, and pneumatic air tank — Preferred design: three mechanisms integrated into one stationary robot.

Overview

Our three-person team built Mind-inator for a 40-second, Inside Out 2-themed competition. A telescoping lift, pneumatic scissor mechanism, and sliding retrieval arm completed three game tasks from a stationary base.

I contributed to mechanism CAD, fabrication, and Arduino-controlled actuation. I also developed the preferred-design write-up and rendered CAD figures for our final report. We prioritized reliable deployment, but competition runs exposed bouncing in the retrieval arm and a limited scoring ceiling.

Mechanisms and hardware

Annotated retrieval CAD showing the bucket, drawer slide, pneumatic piston, solenoid, and winch — Retrieval mechanism: pneumatic deployment and motor-driven return.

Labeled scissor push render showing the piston, linkages, mount, needle valve, and switch — Pneumatic scissor push mechanism and its main components.

CAD showing the pneumatic scissor mechanism retracted and extended, with dimensions — Scissor mechanism in retracted and extended configurations.

CAD comparison of the PVC telescoping lift in retracted and extended configurations — Concentric PVC tubes, printed collars, and a motor-driven winch.

Labeled Sadness lift photo identifying fishing line, track structure, hanging game piece, and telescoping lift — Sadness lift and placement on the target bar.

Completed Mind-inator robot with compact mechanisms, wooden frame, printed parts, and onboard actuation — Assembled robot before deployment.

Earlier Mind-inator robot with its mechanisms deployed on the competition field — Earlier robot configuration on the competition field.