ARTICLES
STEM down under students are on top of the world (continued)
Lachlan Bolton, Year 12 (2017), Redeemer Baptist School,
Future Board Oliver Nicholls, Year 12 (2017), Barker College, Autonomous
robotic window cleaner for commercial buildings
Lachlan’s challenge was to design and build an extendable
modular surfboard that could fit in any car. His design, the Future
Board, is the world’s first ultra-portable, extendable surfboard.
It has the ability to breakdown to half its original size and fit into
a regular bodyboard bag. Its unique functionality allowing it to
be extended in length creates more flexibility for surfers when
choosing the right board for the conditions making it a truly
innovative device. It is made from 100% recycled materials
making it a sustainable device. Oliver’s project focus was to develop an autonomous robotic
window cleaner for commercial buildings. He successfully
researched, designed and developed a small autonomous
window cleaning robot prototype that can effectively clean and
dry high-rise windows whilst manoeuvring around architectural
obstacles. The drone design is also able to operate in most
weather conditions by sensing crosswind and compensating
accordingly. The system incorporates a variety of electronic
inputs and outputs for sensing, washing, drying, moving, flying,
sensing and compensating for the wind.
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SCIENCE EDUCATIONAL NEWS VOL 67 NO 2