Panasonic partnered with MassRobotics to run a prototype 3D LiDAR Challenge looking for unique use cases. MassRobotics reached out to several local colleges that specialize in a variety of use cases including: point cloud for interaction with robot arms, mobile robotics, combination sensor object detection systems, object scanning, security systems and autonomous vehicle systems. The challenge kicked off last fall, with several university visits and information sessions.

Teams from Bridgewater State, Boston University, Olin College, Northeastern and UMass Lowell were selected as finalists and began working on their individual projects over a 6 month period. Each team received $2.5K for project funding and loaned a prototype 3D LiDAR.

We held the finalist presentations via GoToMeeting last week with judges from Panasonic in Japan, Harmonic Drive, Solidworks and MassRobotics. All teams presented amazing research, even working through the pandemic.

Congratulations to the UMass Lowell team: Zhao Han, Jordan Allspay, Brian Flynn, with advisor Professor Holly Yanco! Panasonic will continue to work with participants to learn how to improve and develop their offerings. We look forward to seeing future developments from all!