Princeton University Robotics Club Teams

Princeton University Robotics Club – Pacbot Team

Founded as part of the Princeton University Robotics Club (PURC), the Pacbot Team competes in the annual Pacbot Competition, where student-designed robots navigate a life-sized Pac-Man maze, collecting pellets while avoiding simulated ghosts. The competition is a dynamic intersection of mechanical, electrical, and software engineering, giving members hands-on experience in designing, building, and programming autonomous robots from the ground up.

In 2023, our team tied for first place with a score of over 3,000 points, demonstrating our ability to integrate precise navigation, efficient pathfinding algorithms, and robust mechanical design. Each year, we refine and improve our robot, advancing its capabilities to remain competitive.

Current Project: PacBot III

This year, we are developing PacBot III, our most advanced robot to date, featuring:

Omniwheel Chassis – Enhancing maneuverability for optimized pathfinding.

Advanced Pathfinding Algorithms – Implementing more efficient planning to evade ghosts and maximize scoring potential.

Fully Onboard Processing – Moving away from external laptop-based control, ensuring the robot operates autonomously.

Additionally, our team has taken a major step forward by not only competing but also hosting the annual Pacbot Competition at Princeton, broadening engagement with robotics and fostering collaboration between university teams.

The Role of PCBs in Pacbot

Pacbot’s hardware is heavily reliant on custom PCB design to optimize performance and integration. Our latest PCB iteration incorporates:

Power Management and Delivery – Regulating voltage for the motors, sensors, and processors to ensure stable operation.

Sensor Integration – Supporting distance sensors such as the VL6180X for precise navigation within the maze.

Onboard Computing Unit – Handling real-time decision-making using an embedded microcontroller and communication interface.

How PCBWay Can Support Us

To maintain our momentum and continue pushing the boundaries of autonomous robotics, we seek support from PCBWay. Their expertise in rapid PCB prototyping and manufacturing would allow us to iterate quickly, test new designs, and refine our electronics for optimal performance. With PCBWay’s sponsorship, we could:

Improve hardware-software integration through faster prototyping.

Enhance maze navigation by refining sensor placement and signal processing.

Develop next-generation designs, laying the groundwork for PacBot IV.

By partnering with PCBWay, we can continue advancing in competitive robotics while equipping Princeton students with invaluable hands-on experience in engineering design and innovation. We are excited about the opportunity to collaborate and elevate Pacbot’s capabilities to new heights.

Princeton University Robotics Club – BB-8 Droid Team

As part of the Princeton University Robotics Club (PURC), the BB-8 Droid Team is dedicated to bringing a real-life BB-8 from Star Wars to life through cutting-edge engineering and software development. The project blends mechanical, electrical, and software engineering to build a fully functional, autonomous BB-8 droid capable of navigating its environment and interacting with people.

Last year, the team successfully built a remote-controlled BB-8, marking a major milestone in the project. This year, we are pushing further by integrating autonomous features, such as obstacle avoidance, object recognition, and gesture response—enhancing the droid’s ability to interact with the world in a way that mirrors its on-screen counterpart.

Current Project: Enhancing BB-8’s Autonomy

The team is focused on implementing new capabilities to automate BB-8’s movement and behavior, including:

Obstacle Avoidance & Navigation – Using distance sensors and cameras to allow BB-8 to move safely through various environments.

Gesture & Voice Recognition – Leveraging computer vision and AI-powered voice control to make BB-8 more interactive and responsive.

Wireless Communication & Control – Exploring advanced connectivity methods beyond traditional remote control.

Beyond technical development, the team has also been testing the droid in action, showcasing it at university events such as the Activities Fair and STEM to Stern, a community outreach initiative designed to engage students in STEM fields.

The Role of PCBs in BB-8

Body Circuit

Remote Circuit

Body Circuit 3D Rendering

Remote Circuit 3D Rendering

Inside of BB-8 Body with Body Circuit PCB highlighted in yellow

Printed Remote PCB

Above are two of the PCBs used in the current droid. The body circuit PCB hosts all of the electrical components that control movement of the droid’s body (the bottom sphere), while the remote circuit PCB hosts all of the electrical components in the remote used to drive the droid. Both of these PCBs were ordered through PCBWay and have been successfully installed on the droid! To encourage PURC members to take on an active role in learning to solder components to PCBs, we ordered multiple copies of each PCB.