R2D2

R2D2 a robot or remote controlled?

 

Cedar City, Utah, September 25th, 2016 — Skyler Randall has often wondered if the little droid (R2D2) on the movie Star Wars was a robot or remote controlled. Rather than try and answer that question he decided to just build one himself that is capable of both.

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Skyler has been very fond of electronics since his childhood, and loves to do projects with his knowledge. He decided to do a small recreation of the R2D2 droid from the movie Star Wars. The project was started in the early fall of 2015, and it took about 4-5 months to complete. Skyler is currently a student at Southern Utah University, so most of the work on the project was done in the school’s electronics lab. This project was finished to complete an SUU EDGE project, and to inspire the minds of younger students. As an electronics major, Skyler had the knowledge needed to complete the project himself.

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Skyler took a stationary model of R2D2 and created a unique remote controlled, and programmable robot with an internal USB camera. R2D2 is drivable from your computer, phone, or other electronic devices and you will see everything R2D2 does. If you don’t want to control him yourself, R2 can be programed to do whatever you want. As long as its within his capability. To do this, significant modifications were made to the inside of the model R2D2. This made it possible to fit all the electronic components inside that are needed to control R2. Skyler was able to create his own user interface web page that is accessible, and has buttons along with the camera feed.

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Randall explained that the best part about his project was being able to show it to other students, and inspire them to use their imaginations. “The electronics program at SUU is thin on imagination, but not for long.” says Randall. He learned many new skills from his project that will help him greatly once he enters the work force.

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All students at Southern Utah University complete an EDGE project to give them a professional project experience, and help them achieve individual goals. The options for a project are innumerable, and students are free to choose whatever they want. The EDGE program is three courses designed to help students not only achieve a goal, but to help them create portfolios, resumes, and articles to learn the skills that a future employer is looking for.

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Contact Information:

Name: Skyler Randall

Website: http://skylerrandall.wixsite.com/engineering101

Phone: (435)231-3190

Mailing Address: 1642 West Harding Cedar City, UT, 84720

Email: skylerrandall@suumail.net