Unmanned Autonomous Surface Vessel
As my capstone project for my engineering degree, my team and I made an Unmanned Autonomous Surface Vessel (UASV) to evaluate and improve the detection capabilities of the US Coast Guard.
Within a group of seven engineers, I led a team of four to design and fabricate the physical hull of the vessel.
Client
US Coast Guard
Year
2021
Background Context
Nearly 5% of the U.S. population uses illegal narcotics, posing serious public health risks. In 2016, San Diego border patrol seized 83,000 kg of drugs. The newest threat, Unmanned Autonomous Surface Vessels (UASVs), capable of carrying up to 90-pound payloads, complicate enforcement. To counter this, the US Coast Guard approached Rice University for help reverse engineering and fabricating a UASV for white-hat exercises to enhance their detection systems.
Ideation
After defining the design constraints and objectives, we set about brainstorming and sketching different ways to meet them. We used decision matrices to narrow down ideas. My design, involving a fiberglass hull, external motor and rudder, and electronics in the rear compartment was chosen for further development.
Design Concept
I compiled research on boat design, shapes, and fiberglass construction, giving us basic dimensions and materials.
I helped each member of my team learn to use SolidWorks so that we could each 3D print our own hull and test it in a wind tunnel to determine which exact shape had the least drag coefficient.
Prototyping & Experimentation
1. Building a frame out of wire mesh
2. One of six test shapes
3. Building the mould out of plaster
4. Wind tunnel testing the shapes for drag with dimensional analysis
5. Testing the shapes for stability in water
6. Covering the mould in fiberglass