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UW-Madison robotics team brings home first win

MADISON (WKOW) -- For the first time since forming in 2002, the UW-Madison IEEE team won first place in the Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition. The team's robot, "Paradroid" also placed in the top 10 in the navigation and autonomous challenges.

The robot survived a significant portion of the course before failing. It was the team's best competition showing since they first entered in 2002.

"The design contest was a powerful moment for the entire team," says Ken Leedle, an electrical and computer engineering student who served as the leader for the team's electrical group. "After the judges announced the final six teams and we were among them, we thought we'd get sixth - we couldn't believe we took first."

Until the 2009 competition, the students who make up the IEEE Robotics Team were IGVC underdogs. Since forming in 2002, the team struggled to qualify for the competition.

After software troubles in 2008, 30 new students helped energize this year's team.

"There was all this energy and people were really excited, and I thought, we could actually do this," says Leedle. "I decided to give it another shot."

Under the leadership of returning members, the 2009 team rallied to integrate software from another robot into the "Paradroid" robot. Members also made lots of mechanical and electrical tweaks including a new emergency stop system. This year's robot has a modular body with four-wheel drive and suspension system. Several kinds of sensors and systems are embedded in the body and the robot has unique omni-directional wheels that allow it to turn easily.

The efforts to improve the robot's mechanical, electrical, and software systems paid off with more than just a win - the judges also called Paradroid the most original and practical robot at the competition.

Next year's competition looks promising for Paradroid and the entire team, which should include a high number of returning and new members.