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Autonomous Tick Collection Robot: Evaluating Design, Materials, and Stability for Optimum Collection

Harrison, Caroline "Niki"
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4432-7529
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1592134543425704

Abstract Details

2020, MS, University of Cincinnati, Engineering and Applied Science: Mechanical Engineering.
This thesis discusses the design and testing of a robot constructed to collect ticks from rugged terrain in remote areas, focusing on locating the ideal design, material, and center of gravity to ensure maximum tick collection without causing instability. The design was tested in the field and in a laboratory. The optimum design uses a mast system holding drag strips to collect ticks from short grass and flag strips in the air along the side of the robot to collect ticks from tall grass and shrubs. The mast design does not impact the robot’s ability to traverse challenging terrain, cause the robot to lose traction, frequently become permanently entangled in brush, or have any other detrimental effect on mobility. The drag and flag mounts are separate fixtures, removable, and adjustable along the horizontal and vertical axes to accommodate various terrain types; the flag attachment points are also adjustable horizontally to allow the rearrangement of strips for optimum tick collection. The design uses rough sponge cloth to collect ticks. The roughness and fibrous nature of the material increase the number of ticks collected. Each strip is designed for independent removal to contain ticks easily and replaces strips quickly; they are also designed to tear away from the robot if they become tangled in brush to prevent the robot from being incapacitated. A robotic solution to tick flagging and dragging protects humans from potential illness from bugs and insects carrying disease pathogens, injury from traveling across rough ground, and harm due to exposure to the elements; productivity is also increased. The collection strips mounted to a mast capture ticks despite adverse conditions, are easily interchangeable, and do not hinder the tick collection and removal process.
Janet Jiaxiang Dong, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Joshua Benoit, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Jing Shi, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Hailiang Zhang, PhD (Committee Member)
84 p.
Mechanical Engineering
Tick Collection; Mobile Robot; Robotic Tick Collection; Sponge Cloth

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Harrison, C. "N. (2020). Autonomous Tick Collection Robot: Evaluating Design, Materials, and Stability for Optimum Collection [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1592134543425704

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Harrison, Caroline "Niki". Autonomous Tick Collection Robot: Evaluating Design, Materials, and Stability for Optimum Collection. 2020. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1592134543425704.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Harrison, Caroline "Niki". "Autonomous Tick Collection Robot: Evaluating Design, Materials, and Stability for Optimum Collection." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1592134543425704

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1592134543425704
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© 2020, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.