Robotic Marble Machine

My college’s robotics team decided that we wanted to physically create something that would both exhibit our skills and knowledge we had learned, but also could serve as an inspiration for future students and raise interest in our school’s new Mechatronics & Robotics degree program. We decided that we would create an elaborate mechatronic marble machine that would not only be an appealing mechanical sculpture but would also act as an educational tool at the same time. Marble machines use a variety of lifting mechanics to raise a ball vertically and then deliver that ball to the top of a gravity-driven track. From there, it can ride down the track, possibly doing turns or stunts as it descends. In some ways, it is similar to an extremely small-scale and simplified roller coaster. Our concept for this machine would be mechanical in nature but augmented with several robotic sensors and electronics to enhance its functions, demonstrate some things we’ve learned, and be the beginning of an ongoing project for future classes.