Preliminary Design Review (PDR) | Dig Safe: Autonomous Cable Detection

Robotics Engineering Department

Preliminary Design Review (PDR)

Dig Safe: Autonomous Cable Detection

Thursday, February 9, 2023

2:00p.m - 3:00p.m

Unity Hall | Room 150E

Abstract: Underground power cables must be marked by utility providers before any groundbreaking work can be performed on a work site. Currently, technicians mark cables by hand, which can be time-consuming, monotonous, and dangerous for these workers. The Dig Safe Major Qualifying Project aims to develop a prototype robot to perform autonomous underground electrical cable detection and marking. The robot will navigate a work site, detect buried cables, and accurately mark them in compliance with Massachusetts Law.

Team members:

   Victoria Heffern

   Grace Holden

   Leo Morris

Advisors: Professor Greg Lewin and Professor Jing Xiao