Manassas Virginia, June 21, 2011 – The Institute of Navigation (ION) announces that Case Western Reserve University of Cleveland, Ohio won top prize at the 8th Annual 2011 Robotic Lawn Mower Competition held June 2-4 at Siebenthaler’s Beaver Valley Garden Center in Dayton, Ohio.
Sponsored by the Institute of Navigation Satellite Division and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Sensors Directorate, the ION Annual Robotic Lawnmower Competition is a national event for college and university students, our future engineers, scientists and problem solvers, that challenges them to design and operate a robotic, unmanned lawn mower using the art and science of navigation to rapidly and accurately mow a field of grass.
Sixteen teams participated during the 3-day competition, each using unique design approaches. Teams included students and faculty advisors from Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama; California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, California; California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, California; Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio; Cedarville University, Cedarville, Ohio; Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio; Ecole de Technologie Superieure, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Miami University, Miami, Florida; University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio; University of Evansville, Evansville, Indiana; University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; University of Michigan, Dearborn, Dearborn, Michigan; University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida; Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts and Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio.
The 2011 ION Robotic Lawn Mower Competition consisted of two separate categories: Basic Autonomous Mowing (Static) and Advanced Autonomous Mowing (Dynamic). The teams are judged in each category based on their total scores; 80% of the total score is based on the mowing competition and 20% of the total score is based on the presentation and report.
First place in the Dynamic Competition was awarded to Case Western Reserve University. The first place prize in the Dynamic Competition included $15,000 for the winning school. Second place in the Dynamic Competition was awarded to Auburn University. The second place prize in the Dynamic Competition included $10,000 for the winning school. Third place in the Dynamic Competition was awarded to Write State University. The third place prize in the Dynamic Competition included $5,000 for the winning school.
First place in the Static Competition was awarded to the University of Florida. The first place prize in the Static Competition included $2,500 for the winning school. Second place prize in the Static Competition was awarded to the University of Michigan. The second place prize in the Static Competition included $1,500 for the winning school. Third place in the Static Competition was awarded to the University of North Florida. The third place prize in the Static Competition included $375 for the winning school.
A special Best Cut Award, presented to the team who cuts at least 75% of their field and has the most aesthetically pleasing cut, was awarded to Case Western Reserve University.
In addition to The Institute of Navigation Satellite Division and the Air Force Research Laboratory, sponsors included Honeywell, John Deere, Rockwell Collins and the Joint Services Data Exchange.
The Ninth Annual ION Robotic Lawn Mower Competition will be held in May 31 – June 2, 2012 in Dayton, Ohio.
Further details for the ION Robotic Lawn Mower Competition are available at www.robomow.ion.org.
About ION
The Institute of Navigation is the world’s premier professional society dedicated to the advancement of the art and science of positioning, navigation and timing. The Institute is a national organization whose membership spans worldwide. Additional information about the ION can be found at http://www.ion.org.