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 Fourth year engineering students tested their robotic buggies during an event in the Soil Hall.  

The Robot Challenge is part of their assessment in the Mechatronics Design and Control module. 

In order to succeed in their brief, students had to examine the course and propose a robust navigation strategy which had to be implemented by developing an algorithm and integrating sensors to the buggy and the controller. 

The ability to conceive ideas, design, implement and test solutions are essential to an engineering degree.  

All students had put in a lot of effort, the competition was hard, but there was a clear winner: Gareth Goodchild, Ryan Pinder, and John Morgan achieved a score of 95% – an outstanding accomplishment.  

Even though Gareth, Ryan and John we’re declared the overall winners of the day, the true winners were everyone who took part in the proceedings.  

Here is what our students had to say about the day: 

Rachel Brown from Lancashire says:  

“I really enjoyed taking part in the challenge day. It gave me the chance to see my coding skills work in the real world” 

"Participating in the Buggy Challenge was not only a fun afternoon, but it was also a valuable learning experience. 

"I came to Harper Adams for the Agricultural Engineering course because I enjoy problem solving, have a passion for farming and strive for improvement.  

 "Studying here has exceeded my expectations! The lectures offer a great level of support as they know each individual student, also the Engineering Design Centre in the library is an appreciated resource that creates a great sense of community.” 

 Alex Sluijmers  

“I really enjoyed the event it was great to be able to test our buggy and see how our work paid off. Along with seeing the buggies designed by everyone else on the course. Having the freedom to play a bit with the design of it was also good fun, and added to the enjoyment when seeing it go around the track. It tested several skills with coding, design and problem solving when a problem occurred. Also the chance to work with sensors.   

“The course of Agricultural engineering which I am studying really appealed to me, as I have always had a passion for agriculture. The opportunity to expand my theoretical knowledge but able to apply it to real life situations. 

“It has been great fun along with hard work to succeed and develop my skills with like-minded people, says Alex, who is from Somerset.

Joe Boeg, from Kent says,  

“I loved the opportunity to compete against other course mates. I was very satisfying to watch the buggy go round the course. We were also able to have a bit of light hearted fun with the design of our buggy. 

“ A love for vehicles and the opportunity to learn about them in an applied way and gain specialist knowledge about ‘Off-Road’ Vehicles.   

“Great for self-development in and out of the course. I have met a variety of people from different backgrounds and part of the country.”