Team 6355 is the first to use a top 10 technology "Digital Twin" on their robot in the FIRST Robotics Competition at the Wolstein Center, Cleveland State University, March 29, 30, 31, 2018 (8am-5pm), they are making history now!

Robots Over Parma's robot features the first ever digital twin in its design. A digital twin is a computer model of the physical robot that gives insight into the operation of the live system during play. The robot, named "Diane" has over 25 sensors monitoring temperature, power levels, direction, acceleration, and various other subsystems. This data is managed and collected by two Raspberry Pi 3 computers linked to its brain (RoboRio) and is displayed on its LCD screen for use during the competition. The data is then logged and analyzed every round by the team, compiled via Tableau to find patterns in behavior and verify subsystem performance. Team 6355's goal is to get better at every match, and to use real data to get there. As the robot works, data is collected by sensors, analyzed, then just in time accurate information is used to improve the robot's intelligence. Visit them in their pit and get a first-hand look at this incredible state-of-the-art use of the digital twin system.

The concept of pairing traces its roots to the early days of space travel, when NASA built models to help monitor and modify spacecraft that, once launched, were beyond their physical reach. As computer power increased, these analogue models turned into digital ones.

If you're interested in how the robot works, please read on:
Team 6355 Robots Over Parma's machine is a six wheeled dual speed robot using a West Coast style drive system and twin gear boxes running two CIM and one mini-CIM motor each. The robot is capable of reaching over 18 feet per second velocity on the playing field in high gear. In low gear, the robot is exceptionally maneuverable and performs well in positioning for Power Cube pickup or scoring. The robot's collectors and shifters are pneumatically operated with an on-board compressor. 6355's lift system can reach heights of over 7 feet enabling it to score on the Scale or to go low for the switch or to pass Cubes through the Alliance Wall. The incredible digital displays on Team 6355's robot are controlled by two Raspberry Pi 3 computers linked to the RoboRio using ethernet cables by an on-board high-speed switch. The second driver for 6355 has a special panel that has pre-programmed buttons to display messages during the match and allowing them to control the view of the video camera. In addition to the Raspberry Pi's controlling the LED's, they also host the "Digital Twin" of the robot collecting data from over 25 sensors monitoring every aspect of the robot's performance during the match. Sensors include dual 9 degree of freedom inertial sensors, temperature, Hall effect sensors, wheel encoders, ammeters, volt meters, and micro switches. Team 6355 considers each match an opportunity for learning how to make their robot better today and for all future matches.

"I am very proud of our team, working night and day, achieving what they set out to do, by finishing a digital twin. Learning digital twin technology allows the robot design engineer to take their present work, share it, take it home, continue to work on it, collaborate, take it into college, and use it in their workplace. If you can take your robot digit twin with you, you will always be able to continue developing your knowledge base, collaborate with the best, and lead your team into the future.", said Diane Sadowski

For more information about Ohio FIRST Robotics team 6355 and their use of the digital twin system contact:
Diane Sadowski, President of FirstFuelCells.com, diane(at)firstfuelcells(dot)com, 440-884-2503 (anytime)