LIVERMORE — Members of the Spruce Mountain Area Robotics Team, known as SMART, recently were able to use skills learned during competitions in a real-world situation while interning at Ted Berry Co.
From June 15 to 18, the students learned about robots being used by Ted Berry Co. They then designed and built a new robot that would be more efficient and more cost-effective.
“Ted Berry Co. is a leader in underground pipe inspection and in the last few years has developed the ability to place a liner inside an existing pipe, thereby avoiding having to dig up and replace current pipes,” robotics team adviser Daniel Lemieux said.
The company uses a cable system with two trucks and two teams of workers to cut the inlet pipes.
Lemieux said the students used parts from an old inspection robotic to build a prototype that can go into a sewer pipe and cut the inlets in the pipe liner. The robot, which is self-driven and has an onboard camera and tools needed to cut the inlets, would allow one operator to cut the underground inlets.
“The project was a huge success,” Lemieux said. “The kids were able to make a working prototype.”
He said the robot will need an additional communications cable or an onboard computer brain for switching from device to device to be useful in the field.
Students who worked on this project were Jacob Foss, Austin Greeley, Shane Riley, James Herlihy, Sydney Shaffer and Shawn Lecowitch.
SMART is an extracurricular activity for Spruce Mountain High School students. The team competes in FIRST Robotic Competition tournaments that require the designing, building and programming of industrial-quality robots. The skills that SMART members learn are essential in any college major or career.
SMART creates internships and partnerships that give students hands-on experience with local businesses. The goal is to spur student interest in local businesses. Direct involvement with those businesses will illustrate the skill-set that is needed so that students can plan a path to qualify for challenging jobs with local companies.
“SMART members are among the most motivated students at Spruce Mountain High School,” Lemieux said. “They have been exposed to many career-related activities.”
He added, “Through the SMART intern program, businesses highlight, to the education community, the specific job skills they most need in candidates for future job openings.”
“Through the SMART intern program businesses highlight, to the education community, the specific job skills they most need in candidates for future job openings.” — Spruce Mountain Area Robotics Team adviser Dan Lemieux
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