RoboNation has entered a sponsor partnership with Velodyne LiDAR. As part of this sponsorship, Velodyne will offer support, mentorship, and a donation of Velodyne LiDAR VLP-16 sensors for use in future research, and competition. RoboNation is a traditional non-profit organization that seeks to inspire students to use Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) to learn about the wider world.
RoboNation invited 14 teams from all over the world to participate in a RoboBoat Competition. These teams built their vehicles from the ground up, with manufacturing and design considerations included in the creation of a completely autonomous boat. After integrating all the sensors and systems, the RoboBoat competition offered students a chance to have their vehicle navigate and race through an aquatic obstacle course. Among the sensors that allow for this autonomous operation is the LiDAR technology from Velodyne.
RoboNation manages collegiate programs, including aerial, ground and water-based competitions. With a philosophy of Build a Bot, Change the World, RoboNation brings students together in friendly competition with their own custom-made autonomous vehicles. In December 2018 RoboNation’s RobotX Maritime Challenge in Hawaii will test larger teams in even larger boats in open water.
For more details, visit RoboNation and Velodyne LiDAR.