As a highlight of Australian Engineering Week, the annual event run by Engineers Australia , the University of New South Wales (UNSW)’s student-led group CREATE will showcase their groundbreaking human-sized robotic Pac Man game to the public on Tuesday 4 August 2015, 6:00pm – 8:00pm, at Australian Technology Park.
Originally designed for VIVID
Sydney, Intel approached CREATE to design and build the exciting installation from scratch within a five week lead time. The CREATE students, all second and third year undergraduates, took up the challenge, managing the entire project – from the design of the course to robotics programming, and laser cutting perspex to 3D part-printing.
Taking full advantage of the accessibility of prototyping technology, the robotic Pac Man game which measures 6.25m2 , is programmed to run through a game autonomously. Pac Man and the ‘ghosts’ interact of their own accord based on intelligent programming and image recognition. There is also the option for the user to control the main player.
Nathan Adler, President and founding member of CREATE UNSW will speak at the Australian Engineering Week event about the unique CREATE model, how it all came about, why the PACMAN project represents success for the group, and the wider implications it has for engineering and society.
CREATE has consulted on a wide range of student and external projects and is unique in the industry as an entirely self-funded, student initiated group that focuses on creative ways for undergraduates to engage in hands-on, collaborative projects with real world implications.
Bruce Howard, President, Engineers Australia
Sydney Division says CREATE UNSW represents a unique and agile approach to learning, in line with engineering perspectives.
“The concept behind CREATE and the method of delivering their inventive project are prime examples of innovative engineering in communities and
infrastructure. As a unit, they represent a diverse group of enthusiastic learners, exactly the kind of up and coming talent we love to see in this industry.
“CREATE’s Pac Man installation is the embodiment of what Australian Engineering Week is all about - celebrating new approaches, learning and adaptation via hands on initiatives and the evolution of technology,” said Mr Howard.
This year’s Australian Engineering Week is asking ‘What will you discover?’ and answering the question via a variety of events held from Saturday 1 to Tuesday 11 August, as a celebration of the significant and valued contribution engineers provide to economic, social and technological aspects of our daily lives.
Chomping through innovation barriers with Project Pac Man will be held on Tuesday 4 August, 6:00pm - 8:00pm at the Australian Technology Park. Visit the Australian Engineering Week website for more information: www.engineersaustralia.org.au/aew-
sydney Australian Engineering Week is supported by the NSW Government.
Connect with Australian Engineering Week 2015: #DiscoverEngineering