Recent graduate to unveil robocar at Computer Science ‘Presentation Day’

Hilmi Deniz Biliciler, who graduated with a degree in Computer Science in December 2023, has reached a significant milestone with the completion of his latest project at the Houghton Hall robotics lab area.

Over the course of two months, under the guidance of Department of Computer and Information Sciences Assistant Professor Shahin Mehdipour Ataee, Mr. Biliciler diligently worked on a robocar equipped with advanced technology. He will give a poster presentation of his project during the Computer and Information Sciences Project Presentation Day. The event is slated for Houghton Hall, in the hallway between two computer labs, Rooms 259 and 260, on Thursday, May 9, at 1 p.m. The poster showcases Biliciler's dedication and technical skills.

The centerpiece of Biliciler's project is a robocar outfitted with ultrasound radar, a camera and servomotors, all controlled by a Raspberry Pi computer. The combination of components allows the robocar to autonomously detect obstacles in its path and adjust its direction accordingly. The integration of these features represents a significant advancement in the field of robotics, with potential applications in autonomous navigation and safety systems.

The robocar is educational and provides practice opportunities with a variety of sensors and actuators, Dr. Ataee explained. “With appropriate software, it can autonomously move and decide its path, it can follow objects and people, record videos and take pictures.” Biliciler and Dr. Ataee are working on different Python codes to test on the robocar.

Biliciler's accomplishment underscores the importance of hands-on learning and mentorship in fostering innovation and skill development. Not a part of a course, the robocar was undertaken as part of robotics lab preparation and testing. Biliciler, of Izmir, Turkey, is serving as a lab engineer in the department’s robotics lab during the spring semester.

With Ataee's guidance, Biliciler has not only successfully completed a complex robotics project but has also gained valuable experience that will serve him well in his future endeavors. The presentation of his working robocar marks a notable achievement, highlighting the ingenuity and potential of young talents in the field of robotics, Ataee said.