Pi-Bot takes NUIG campus by storm

Those walking around the NUI Galway campus over the last week may have encountered a cute little fella familiarising himself with his academic surrounds.

Standing at just 15 cm tall, Pi-Bot 2.0 left its native Maker Space home in the university’s library on Monday.

The mechanical masterpiece does in fact have ultrasonic eyes to avoid objects on the ground.

It also possesses infrared sensors to help it follow a mapped out track leading it to its designated destination at the Aula Maxima.

Running at just three metres a minute to reach its 450 metre goal, the miniature mechanism has taken on quite the feat.

But it did make the gruelling trek all the way to the Aula Maxima on Thursday – just in time for its EXPLORE showcase.

EXPLORE is NUI Galway’s answer to partnering students and staff up to deliver innovative ideas.

Maker Space – where little Pi-Bot 2.0 was born – is the facility to carry out those innovations, with advanced technological equipment and software all provided. The bot comes with its own student card to navigate around campus and driving rock anthems to keep him chugging along.

“Its little eyes are so cute! I’m sure it will have a bout of trouble bumping into things along the way,” said EXPLORE Coordinator Amber Walsh Olesen.

Hardiman Library IT Manager Connell Cunningham, Physics PhD student Sean O’Gorman and Physics Professor Martin Leahy are the brains behind the bot.

“We designed the arduino modelled robot with Maker Space tools to promote the facility,” explained Connell.

“One such service the space provides is a 3D printed frame, and this was an invaluable asset in the making of Pi-Bot 2.0.”

In addition to the electronics, photonics and robotics skills gone into the making of their little pal, all three have taken strongly to social media, utilising the space’s Adobe Suite to create eye-catching photos, videos and maps.

Sean is the initiator behind the bot, and says that after approaching Maker Space, he got the opportunity not only to see his idea come to life but also to learn invaluable skills.

“I think this is the best vehicle to get people interested in science,” he said.

“When someone takes ownership in making something, they become more interested in the science behind it. It communicates skills far better than just a piece of paper.”

Pi-Bot 2.0 is currently in the prototype phase during which all three are establishing the level of difficulty in building the bot.

Having established how to create the bot themselves, they will now design kits which will show students how to put their own programmed pal together.

“We’ll be using these kits under NUI Galway’s Outreach programme to show primary and secondary schools across Ireland how to design their own bot,” said Connell.

“September to October is the timeframe we are aiming towards, so we can have it ready for the start of the academic year.”

The bot will also be showcased to students at NUI Galway, with demonstrations, workshops and guest appearances to take place over the course of the next year.

The project team have received preliminary funding to test Pi-Bot 2.0 from SPIE, the international society which advances emerging technologies through interdisciplinary information exchange, continuing education and career and professional growth.

The EXPLORE programme was initiated in early 2012 by NUI Galway Students’ Union and NUI Galway.

It provides seed funding and support to students and staff partners to work in equal partnership for benefit in the wider community.

To date, it has funded over 100 new projects involving more than 600 students and staff.

These projects have gone on to raise more than €290,000 of additional funding.