Aurora Research Institute in Inuvik is sponsoring an after school electronics and robotics club.
Now in its sixth year, students are beginning to plan some longer term projects while continuing to investigate the uses of various electrical components, motors, and sensors. Members attend weekly for two hours, with occasional weekend events. Activities include:
- Robotics and Programming using Lego Mindstorms and Boe-Bots
- Electronics and Sensors using Arduinos and C programming
- Python Programming with Raspberry Pis and use of peripherals
- 3D Modelling, 3D Printing and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Milling
- Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) construction and flight
At the end of the 2016/2017 club year, with input from members, IREC purchased an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) and a virtual reality setup. With the open source ROV, the club plans to add sensors and carry out basic research and exploration. With the Virtual Reality setup, the club will be working on developing point-cloud mapped environments using 360 cameras and photogrammetry.
Aurora Research Institute has provided this program with start-up funds for the purchase of equipment, flexibility for staff to meet with the students during the work week, and space in our labs to work on projects. A big thank you is also due to the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation for the kind donation of three laptops and high school staff for their support of this project.