Design Presentation

Student Design Presentation Competition

Objective

Each year dozens of finely crafted autonomous robots are entered in the IEEE SoutheastCon Student Hardware Competition in what is an entertaining and instructive event.  It is always of interest to witness how different teams approach solving the problem posed by the competition rules.  Less obvious is what lies behind the curtain, behind the appearance of the robot, what choice of locomotion, sensors, processors, software, etc. have been integrated into the final competition entry.  In order to share the knowledge and experience gained by the various hardware competition teams, this year there will be a competition for the best oral presentation of the hardware design entry.

Guidelines

The presentation should be a technical talk that relates the highlights of the robot design, construction, operation, and performance.  The presentation must be made by one member of a registered team to the judges and other interested members of the audience.  The audience should be considered as a group of knowledgeable engineers upon whom the project is dependent for funding.

1. The presentation must not last more than ten (10) minutes; five (5) point penalty for each additional minute.
2. The robot must have passed the hardware competition qualification round.
3. The presentation should include a cost estimate (not counting student labor) for duplicating the final product.  A breakdown by major components or systems would be helpful.
4. Graphic aids may include video clips, animation, slide projection, computer projection, or overhead transparencies.  Note: only PowerPoint presentations are supported, any additional codecs required to play videos must be supplied by the presenter and coordinated with the student program co-chairs well ahead of time.
5. Premade audio or video tape presentations are not allowed. 
6. After the presentation, only the judges may ask questions for no longer than five (5) minutes.

Scoring

Maximum Points

• Effective use of graphic aids includes not blocking the view of the screen and simple enough graphics that are large enough to read.
• Articulation refers to the clarity and loudness of the speaking.
• Response to questions means short answers that address only the question.
• Salesmanship refers to enthusiasm and pride.
  

Cash Prizes First Place winner will be awarded a certificate and a cash prize of $ 500. Second Place winner will be awarded a certificate and a cash prize of $ 300. Third Place winner will be awarded a certificate and a cash prize of $ 200.

Note:  A computer connected projector will be made available; other equipment or projectors may also be supplied by the participants.

Contact Information

Dr. John Piccirillo
Electrical and Computer Engineering
University of Alabama in Huntsville
Huntsville, AL 35899
(256) 489-3645
jpicciri@eng.uah.edu

Dr. Laurie Joiner
Electrical and Computer Engineering
University of Alabama in Huntsville
Huntsville, AL 35899
(256) 824-6126
ljoiner@ece.uah.edu