Student-Designed Reconnaissance Robot to Help Police in High-Risk Situations

Just this week, a 40-pound box-shaped robot being designed by University of Cincinnati students climbed stairs.  It can also see at night and serves as a mini-communications center, able to transmit exchanges of dialogue.

Called “Midwayer,” the robot represents a year’s worth of work for four mechanical-engineering technology students from UC’s

College of Applied Science

who are designing the piece for use by university and local police.  They’ll show off their remote-controlled handiwork during the college’s annual

Tech Expo

set for

10 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday, May 20

, at Cinergy Center, 525 Elm Street, downtown.  The expo, to feature numerous science and technology innovations by students, is free and open to the public.

“The UC police already have a 180-pound robot that has its own vehicle.  It’s more used in situations by area police where an explosive device is found.  That robot has an arm that can pick up a bomb, but being big and heavy, it takes time to deploy.  Our little robot is a companion to that.  It can go in an instant, can go into a hostage situation where police need to find out what’s going on.  It has a little camera… and can see at night.  It’s also a transmission device where police can dialogue with those engaged in a high-risk situation,” explained Josh Kline, 23, of Mt. Vernon, Ohio., one of the four mechanical-engineering seniors who are building the device.

Others working on the project are Ian Blaney, 31, of Bethel, Ohio.; Devon Spivey, 25, of Newark, Ohio.; and Mike Cardarelli, 34, of Amelia, Ohio.  They have been guided in their work by Muthar Al-Ubaidi, professor of mechanical engineering technology, and by Kenneth Lewandoski, visiting assistant professor of mechanical engineering technology.

“Midwayer” is 22 inches long, 20 inches wide and about eight inches tall.  It weighs about 40 pounds and can fit into the trunk of a car.  “It’s a robot for peace,” explained Blaney.  “What we want are peaceful outcomes to tense situations,” he added.

The group began researching and seeking the parts for their project last fall.  They began construction at the end of March.  It’s been nothing for them to work six days a week since then. 

With all the challenges of design, manufacturing, locating parts, problem solving and testing and retesting, the project has served as a confidence booster for the four students.  “We’ve taken it entirely from start to finish, designing and creating for an actual customer with a real life-or-death need.  We’ve made it happen,” said Cardarelli, who plans to continue designing and creating robots and other innovations as an entrepreneur after graduation in June.