Robot team mows down the competition

The Institute of Navigation announced that Case Western Reserve University won top prize at the 8th Annual 2011 Robotic Lawn Mower Competition June 2-4 at Siebenthaler’s Beaver Valley Garden Center in Dayton.

Sponsored by the Institute of Navigation Satellite Division and the Air Force Research Laboratory Sensors Directorate, the Annual Robotic Lawnmower Competition is a national event for college and university students 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 three-day competition, each using unique design approaches.

First place in the Dynamic Competition was awarded to Case Western Reserve; the prize was $15,000. A special Best Cut Award, presented to the team who cuts at least 75 percent of their field and has the most aesthetically pleasing cut, was awarded to the university.