HC Hack the Tube for MIT
HC Hack the Tube for MIT
To participate in a contest at North Broward Preparatory School, I designed a robot for a chance to visit MIT in October 2023. The challenge, "Hack The Tube," had the theme MOVE, encouraging students to create a moving tube with a purpose. I built a solar-powered, water-buoyant robot with a suction mechanism that moves across the water, collecting trash to clean it. Although this was a prototype, I envision developing a full-scale robot in the future to help reduce ocean pollution and promote environmental preservation.
For me, the most rewarding aspect of this project was the chance to apply my robotics knowledge to tackle a crucial global issue: ocean pollution. Designing a solution to clean up ocean trash felt deeply impactful, combining my technical skills with my passion for environmental sustainability. Robotics gave me the tools to think creatively and practically about building a device capable of navigating water, identifying debris, and gathering waste efficiently. This experience strengthened my commitment to using technology to solve real-world challenges, especially those affecting our planet’s future.
For the Hack the Tube Challenge, I developed an innovative water-cleaning device—a floating, tube-based filter that moves across the water to remove plastic debris. This was the theme of the Hack of the Tube Challenge. The initial phase focused on designing “wing” tabs for buoyancy, which I modeled using the CAD software OnShape and 3D printed at home. After successful float tests, I assembled an electronic system with a solar panel connected to a power bank and an Arduino processor. Using an L293 motor controller, I enabled directional movement, and an HC-06 Bluetooth module linked with my Android app, created via MIT App Inventor, allowed remote control. To address the challenge of suctioning debris, I designed and 3D printed a turbine part that pulls water and trash into the tube, effectively filtering pollutants. This integrated setup tested my design and technical skills and reflected my commitment to environmental solutions. This project allowed me to apply practical engineering skills, from CAD and 3D printing to coding and electronics, to create a functional and innovative prototype.