Several UT ECE and CS undergrads from The University of Texas at Austin chapter of the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society (IEEE RAS) broke into show business recently. They were brought on to build controllable bases and lights for four robots in the local production of Heddatron, the 2006 comedy by Elizabeth Meriwether currently running at the Salvage Vanguard Theater in Austin. IEEE RAS started working on the project with director Dustin Wills in early November 2010 to create a remote controlled drivable and lighted system. Wills designed the top part of the robot. The play started February 10th and is finishing March 5th.

The IEEE RAS team consisted of:

Megan Ruthven
Megan is a 2nd year ECE student who helped lead the project, helped design the robot platform and helped build the bases.

Chad La Guardia
Chad is a 4th year CS student who helped lead the project, helped design the robot platform and helped build the bases.

Razik Ahmed
Razik is a 3rd year ECE student who designed the remotely controlled light system.

Cruz Monrreal
Cruz is a 3rd year ECE student who designed the wheels and helped build the bases.

Frank Weng
Frank is a 2nd year ECE student.

Nicu Stiurca
Nicu is a 4th year CS student.

Charlie Manion
Charlie is a 4th year ME student.

The IEEE Robotics and Automation Society at UT Austin inspires greater research into the field of robotics and aims to make robotics more accessible to persons of all ages and backgrounds. They are focused on competitive robotics events as well as mentoring high school students.