What is the ambitious goal of this project?
The goal is to give students an environment to work in a “Product Development Cell” to create a robot for a “client”, the NASA Lunabotics Competition. Students work through client deliverables, project management skills, risk management, and product development while learning to collaborate across disciplines.
The greater ambition of this project is to prepare Project Managers, Marketers, Engineers, and IT/OT specialists to work better together as students before they enter industry, where these collaborations become critical. Alongside their technical and professional growth, students are provided with multiple opportunities to network with local industry professionals, helping them build valuable connections for internships and future jobs.
Experience Gained
Students will gain:
- Real-world engineering lifecycle experience: from concept to prototype, testing, and delivery.
- Systems integration and systems engineering skills: managing complex interactions across software, electrical, and mechanical systems.
- Leadership & project management: including running design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR), coordinating milestones, managing risks, and working with NASA competition officials.
- Cross-disciplinary collaboration: blending technical and non-technical expertise in marketing, outreach, and project strategy.
- Hands-on technical expertise: coding (C++, Python, ROS2), PCB design, CAD modeling, fabrication, testing, and integration under real constraints.
- Professional communication & outreach: building presentations, sponsor materials, and media campaigns while engaging K-12 students and the BSU community.
- Career-ready advantages: resume-building portfolios, experience with industry-standard tools, and confidence in high-stakes environments
The solutions created will be entered into competitions, such as the Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition, and contests around the nation! Compete with the best. Be the best.
Methodologies and/or Technologies used to achieve project goals
- Coding & Software Skills
- ROS2 (Robot Operating System 2) & Linux
- Design for Manufacturing & Assembly
- K-12 outreach and collaboration
- Lab Testing
- Writing
- Market Research
- Project Management
- Risk Analysis
- Systems Engineering
- Electrical System Design
- Mechanical System Design
Majors or Interests Needed
We’re looking for students with the one or more of the following majors or interests:
- Computer Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Construction Management
- Marketing
- IT
- SCM
- GIMM
- Computing
VIP Coach Information
Dr. Steve Swanson is a Computer Scientist, a former NASA astronaut, and now a Boise State Distinguished Educator in Residence. Read more about Dr. Swanson. He coaches three VIP teams: Autonomous Robotic Systems, NASA SUITS, and NASA Micro-g NExT Challenge.
Oliver MacDonald is a robotics & systems engineer, co-founder of QTex AI, and a Computing PhD student at Boise State. Read more about Oliver. He is a mentor for the Autonomous Robotics Systems VIP, bringing his experience as a founder and R&D engineering consultant to help build an environment that parallels the experiences students will have when they enter the workforce.
Course Information:
Choose full semester or 2nd-7wk course. Team meeting time TBD. Enroll in 1 or 2 credits.
Full semester course: VIP 200, VIP 400 or VIP 500.
2nd 7-week course: VIP 200, VIP 400, or VIP 500.
Interested in joining this team?
For more information about this project and to request a permission number to register contact Dr. Steve Swanson at steveswanson@boisestate.edu. OR complete this interest form and someone will contact you. Check out this page for tips on contacting a professor.
Students are welcome to stop by the weekly class session to observe the course. The team hosts multiple public events each semester where students and community members are welcome to attend milestone presentations and see the progress made on the robot.
To register: search by Subject: Vertically Integrated Projects, read the project description to find the right section of VIP 200, 400, or 500. Use permission number: here are instructions Add with a permission number