The Caltech Robotics Team took first place at the 2016 International RoboSub Competition. The team's robot, nicknamed "Dory," successfully navigated an obstacle course with tasks that required it to touch buoys, fire torpedoes at targets, and rescue an object underwater—all autonomously. Dory had seven thrusters, two grippers, a hydrophone, and other sensors. She took nine months and about $75,000 to build.
The student leader of the mechanical team was recent graduate Edward Fouad, the electrical team was led by graduate student Torkom Pailevanian, and the programming team was led by undergraduate student Kushal Agarwal. The fundraising and outreach efforts of the team were led by undergraduate student Jake Larson. The faculty advisor to the team was Professor Joel Burdick. [Caltech story]