On April 20, 2012, a mechatronic quarterback’s metallic arm threw a football into the waiting net of a nearby wheeled receiver, and history was made. It was the first-ever completed pass in a football game played entirely by robots, and it happened during the world’s first intercollegiate robotic football game.
Notre Dame’s robotic football team started four years ago as a final “design, build, test” project for a mechanical engineering class. Since then, students have been improving their designs, which include linemen, running backs, wide receivers, kickers and the all-important quarterback. This year, the mechatronic Fighting Irish took on Ohio Northern University’s Polar Bears and won, 27-6. You can watch footage of the game above — the pass happens at around 1:25.
via Wired
May 11, 2012
