EngSoc Proposal F21

Team: University of Waterloo Aerial Robotics Group

Representative: Sahil Kale

Position: Team Lead

Organization Summary:

The Waterloo Aerial Robotics Group (WARG) is a team of passionate students developing autonomous aerial vehicles capable of performing various tasks. WARG will be competing in the annual Unmanned Systems Canada Student Competition this May.

This term, we are currently working on prototypes and test runs in preparation for the competition. This year has shown that we must be able to adapt to different scenarios and situations. There was a lot to be learned this year. With the university opening again, more people are in person, and we are looking to take advantage of this opportunity. During this season we will need money to fund our various activities. We are currently in the process of creating our aircraft for this upcoming 2022 competition.

Currently, we have 3 things that we need funding for in order to create this aircraft. We need funding for the following:

RC Communications and Control
Mechanical Tooling
Firmware Tooling

All of these things require money for the prototyping stage as well as for the manufacturing and designing stages. EngSoc sponsorship will allow us to continue through these processes and in addition supplement student learning. With your support, we can achieve the goals that we set out for this year that are all in lead up to the 2022 Unmanned Systems Canada Student Competition.

Benefits to Engineering:

In WARG our main priority is student learning. As an engineering team of 42 students from Engineering, Maths, and Arts faculties. We’ve got a huge focus on mentorship - we use our tools and knowledge that our sponsors help make possible to give to host workshops to members both in our team and to the greater Student Design Centre.

Two of our current projects include Project VANGUARD and ZeroPilot. Project VANGUARD is the current quadcopter that students are currently constructing. They get to be involved in making the prototypes, designing, testing as well as coding aspect for this. Our mechanical team is building hands-on experience with custom development, fabrication and validation of an air-frame. To fly the aircraft, we’re planning to use an off-the-shelf remote control and communications system to ensure reliable control. Further, we’re building custom firmware for data acquisition and flight management. To build these systems, we’d like to use industry-standard technologies to maximize the learning opportunities for our team members.

Since the University is opening again there are more opportunities for students to work and learn about things hands-on. With EngSoc being a financial contributor to WARG we are very grateful for the support that they have continued to give us every year.

Purchase Timeline:

WARG intends to purchase all items being asked for sponsorship within a month of confirmation of funds as they will be required for our competition in May 2022.