The University of Akron NASA Mining Robotics Team gets ready to take their robot into the arena at the University of Central Florida.
The University of Akron (UA) NASA Mining Robotics Team had an outstanding performance at this year’s NASA Lunabotics Competition, an annual multi-year design challenge where college students build prototype lunar construction robots to excavate and transport simulated moon dust in support of the NASA Artemis campaign.
The competition began with 68 university teams from across the United States, along with international visitors. By the time the event opened at the University of Central Florida, 36 teams remained. UA students placed second overall, earning them a spot at Kennedy Space Center, where only the top 10 teams competed.
Team members gear up in protective suits to place and activate their robot in the competition arena.
At Kennedy, the Zips placed seventh overall and proudly brought home the third-place award for autonomy. This year’s accomplishments included the design and assembly of two sets of custom PCBs to run the motors and actuators, something the team had not attempted in more than seven years. The result was a significant point of pride, especially for the electrical sub-team.
“We came into competition hopeful for this year with new designs and a great team, but we could have never expected how well we’d end up doing,” said Lane Cline, a senior majoring in electrical engineering and president of the NASA Mining Robotics Team. “The team appreciates the guidance and support from Professor Sam Mastromatteo and Max Fightmaster throughout the year. I’m extremely proud of this team for how much we were able to accomplish and how much more we still plan to do.”
The Zips robot digs through simulated lunar soil during the Lunabotics competition.
“This success shows the power of learning by doing. Our design teams are more than competitions, they are immersive classrooms where students transform ideas into real-world results,” said Dr. Yilmaz Sozer, chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “We are grateful to our faculty, staff and sponsors for making opportunities like this possible and proud of the culture of hands-on learning that defines our college.”
The team extends gratitude to its sponsors: College of Engineering and Polymer Science at The University of Akron, Ohio Space Grant Consortium, Schaeffler Group, Clinton Aluminum, WardJet, Anderson Power, Graco and the Gene Haas Foundation.
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Media contact: Cristine Boyd, 330-972-6476 or cboyd@uakron.edu.