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GLaDOS Our team name derived from Valve’s video game Portal, released in 2007. The game features only three characters. The first is the human player. This player must survive the trials put forth by GLaDOS, a computer noted for its distinct voice and personality. The third character is your best friend, the Weighted Companion Cube, an inanimate object who, in a touching scene, you are forced to incinerate. When thinking of awesome robots from which we could steal names, GLaDOS (Genetic Lifeform and Disk Operating System) came to mind. First of all, it is an awesome game you should play. Secondly, the hardware of GLaDOS is covered in eye-like components. Since distance sensing “vision” of our robot was an important feature, this seemed appropriate. Also, we created an incarnation of the Weighted Companion Cube to accompany us for the competition. |
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Andrew Marecki Andrew Marecki is a Junior who is majoring in course 2, mechanical engineering. His experience in mechanical design and assembly allowed him to create a robust robot for the competition. Furthermore, Andrew's past endeavor in 2.007, the course 2 mechanical design competition, provided him with additional practical experience in this field. He is currently an undergraduate researcher in the Biomechatronics Group of the MIT Media Lab where he helps to design and build exoskeletons and robotic prostheses. |
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Mark Sullivan III Mark Sullivan is a member of the class of 2010, a Junior for this project. He is pursuing a major in Course 6-3 (Computer Science) and a minor in Course 8 (Physics). This was his first exposure to robotics, and it was an excellent learning experience. Much of his previous work was in the realm of video games, and his work in physics simulations and artificial intelligence proved useful. While all of the coding work was collaborative, he focused on low level feedback mechanisms necessary for turning and straight driving, as well as the high level strategy representation. |
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Kevin Yapsir Kevin Yapsir is also a member of the class of 2010 pursuing a major in Course 6-3 (Computer Science). He was previously a Lab Assistant for the course 6.01 (Intro to Electrical Engineering and Computer Science) which provided him with a cursory background on robotics. On this project, he focused on high level feedback systems, most notably positioning and navigation. He enjoys music and working on visual design like the layout of this site. |
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