Autonomous Boat Senior Design Project

Overview

As the team leader for a multidisciplinary senior design project, I managed the development of an autonomous boat intended to navigate a predetermined course using onboard sensors, computer vision, and autonomous control systems. The project involved mechanical, electrical, and software engineering disciplines working together to create a functional autonomous platform.

While the team's long-term objective was fully autonomous navigation, the project was developed incrementally through a series of milestones. By the conclusion of the project, the boat was capable of remote-controlled operation and successfully demonstrated buoy detection and environmental mapping capabilities.

My Contributions

• Led a multidisciplinary team consisting of two mechanical engineers, two electrical engineers, and one software engineer
• Defined project scope, milestones, and development priorities
• Planned and facilitated team meetings to coordinate project activities
• Tracked task ownership, progress, and deadlines across all disciplines
• Resolved technical and scheduling challenges to keep the project moving forward
• Coordinated testing logistics, including scheduling and reserving university pool facilities
• Assisted with boat assembly, repairs, waterproofing improvements, and system integration
• Supported software development efforts involving computer vision and buoy recognition
• Helped evaluate design decisions using calculations, testing results, and technical discussions
• Managed team transitions after replacing a team member during the project

Process

The project required coordination between multiple engineering disciplines working on interconnected systems. Responsibilities included propulsion, electrical systems, computer vision, navigation software, and mechanical integration. As team leader, I was responsible for ensuring that work across these areas remained aligned with project goals and development timelines.

In addition to project management responsibilities, I participated in the technical development of the platform. This included repairing and preparing the boat hull, improving waterproofing, integrating mechanical systems, supporting propulsion development, and assisting with computer vision efforts used to identify colored buoys within the competition environment.

Throughout the project, technical decisions were guided by engineering calculations, testing results, and collaborative discussions among team members. Challenges included coordinating schedules, maintaining progress across multiple disciplines, and adapting to changes in team composition while continuing to meet project milestones.

One of the most valuable lessons gained from the project was learning that effective leadership extends beyond assigning tasks and enforcing deadlines. Team members respond differently to responsibilities and challenges, making it important to understand what each person needs to be successful. Supporting team members, removing obstacles, and creating an environment where people can contribute effectively proved to be just as important as technical decision-making.

Tools Used

Project Leadership • Systems Integration • Team Coordination • MATLAB • Computer Vision • Mechanical Assembly • Prototype Testing