Who We Are
The Bender ARS VIP team is a project-based learning initiative at Boise State University, designed to give students hands-on experience in the field of Autonomous Robotic Systems (ARS). As part of this Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) program, the team focuses on the full lifecycle of robotics development—from initial design to final testing—while addressing real-world challenges.
Throughout the course, students collaborate in teams to solve technical problems, developing a range of skills in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and software development. The Bender ARS VIP project provides students with not only technical expertise but also teamwork, project management, and problem-solving skills crucial to careers in the robotics and automation industries.
Our team is currently comprised of 17 Undergraduate Students and 2 graduate students all studying engineering at Boise State!
NASA Lunabotics
The team participates in year-long competitions, with the 2024-2025 season focused on the prestigious NASA Lunabotics Competition. This year's challenge tasks the team with designing and building an autonomous lunar rover capable of performing complex tasks in a simulated lunar environment.
The primary objectives include:
- Autonomous Navigation: The rover must successfully navigate a terrain filled with craters, rocks, and other obstacles, simulating the harsh and unpredictable landscape of the Moon.
- Excavation and Path Planning: The rover needs to autonomously plan an efficient dig path, excavate lunar simulant (a material mimicking lunar soil), and adapt to the constantly changing environmental conditions in real-time.
- Berm Construction: The excavated material must be transported and deposited into a designated area to construct a berm—an embankment that could be critical for future lunar habitats or other surface operations.
This competition tests the team’s ability to integrate advanced robotics, autonomous control systems, and engineering principles while fostering collaboration and creativity under real-world constraints similar to those encountered in space exploration.
What Do Students Get Out of This?
Students involved in the NASA Lunabotics Competition through Bender ARS VIP gain a wide range of practical skills, experiences, and benefits that are invaluable for their academic and professional growth. Some of the key takeaways include:
- Hands-On Engineering Experience: Students engage in the complete design and build process, applying concepts from mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering to develop a functional, autonomous lunar rover. This real-world experience strengthens their technical skills far beyond classroom learning.
- Problem-Solving and Innovation: Tackling challenges like autonomous navigation, excavation, and material handling requires creative thinking and innovative solutions. Students learn how to think critically and develop strategies to overcome complex, dynamic problems.
- Teamwork and Collaboration: Working in interdisciplinary teams fosters collaboration, communication, and leadership skills. Students often come from different engineering and technical backgrounds, which mirrors the collaborative nature of industry projects.
- Project Management: The year-long competition requires students to manage project timelines, resources, and tasks efficiently. They learn to balance design, construction, testing, and iterative improvements, honing their ability to manage long-term, multi-phase projects.
- Exposure to Industry Standards: By participating in a NASA-sponsored competition, students gain exposure to industry standards in robotics, aerospace, and autonomous systems. They learn to meet rigorous technical requirements and understand the professional expectations that exist in these fields.
- Career Opportunities and Networking: Success in such a high-profile competition enhances their résumés and makes them stand out to potential employers. Many students gain opportunities to network with professionals from NASA, aerospace companies, and other organizations, leading to internships and job offers.
- Sense of Accomplishment: Completing a project of this magnitude gives students a strong sense of achievement and confidence. It provides tangible proof of their abilities to design, build, and test complex systems, which is rewarding both academically and personally.
- Contributing to Space Exploration: Knowing that their work aligns with real-world problems related to space exploration—like lunar excavation and autonomous operations—gives students a sense of purpose and excitement about contributing to the future of space missions.
Alumni Spotlight: Success Stories from the Bender VIP Team
The Bender ARS VIP team at Boise State University not only provides students with hands-on experience in advanced robotics and engineering but also serves as a launchpad for academic and professional success. Many students who work with the team go on to make significant strides in their careers, applying the knowledge and skills they gained during their time on the team to real-world challenges in the robotics, aerospace, and technology industries.
Here’s what some of our distinguished alumni, who have played pivotal a role in the Bender ARS Team, have to say about their experiences and how the project shaped their careers:
Nardos Ashenafi
PhD in Robotics and Control of Dynamical Systems
“The first summer after working on the Bender project, I had the opportunity to get interviewed at a robotics startup company. For most of the technical skills they asked of me, I was able to reference a time when I solved a similar problem in Bender. In the end, I found out that the company actually sponsored the IGVC competition, where Bender was one of the competitors. It’s safe to say, Bender tipped the scale in my favor.”
Wankun Sirichotiyakul
PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering
“The practical knowledge I gained from the Bender project laid a strong foundation for my professional growth and significantly contributed to my development as a robotics engineer. It equipped me with essential hands-on skills for integrating hardware and software components within a robotic system. This experience enabled me to complete one of my internship projects ahead of schedule, leaving a positive impression on my fellow engineers and ultimately leading to a job offer from the team.”
Camron Collinsworth
BS in Computer Science
“I would say that bender helped me by giving me an opportunity to work as a team on a project that taught me things outside of what is "normally" taught by the CS curriculum. I learned about working effectively on a team, owning my work, as well as taking initiative. The course gives back what you put into it and I think that is valuable.”