By Bonnie Russell Telegram & Gazette Staff

A team of robotics students, faculty and staff from Worcester Polytechnic Institute is among 20 finalists in the NASA-sponsored Space Robotics Challenge, the agency announced recently. The only official team from a university, according to NASA, the WPI team will compete for $1 million in prize money.

To advance to the final, teams had to demonstrate how they could complete two simulated tasks with their virtual R5 robot. WPI completed a perception task by having the robot accurately report the position of lights in a simulated environment, and a mobility task by programming the robot to walk three meters, press a button to open a door and pass through the door without falling.

The use of so-called agile development, a software methodology that makes frequent significant improvements to the robots performance is the reason for the teams success to date, according to Michael Gennert, team lead and head of WPIs Robotics Engineering program.

The WPI team is now participating in the virtual competition, which will take place through June. The Virtual Competition, which is divided into two parts, begins with a period of open practice from now through June. The live competition is held June 13-16, during which teams will compete in software simulation to direct the R5 robot, commonly known as Valkyrie, to perform tasks in a virtual setting on Mars, Mr. Gennert said.

During the virtual competition, each teams R5 will be challenged with resolving the aftermath of a dust storm that has damaged a Martian habitat. Teams will be asked to complete three objectives: align a communications dish, repair a solar array and fix a habitat leak. The round has eight complex tasks, ranging from climbing to picking up tools, that simulate the challenges a robot might encounter on Mars, according to a press release.

Vinayak Jagtap, project manager for the WPI team and a doctoral candidate in robotics engineering, said the WPI team is composed of five cross-functional teams. Each includes members who are experienced in perception, control and motion planning. Rather than a single focus area for the whole group, the mini teams within the team have various skill sets, which make the overall team stronger.

Hopefully, this strategy will bring them into first place.

Clark prof awarded music commission

Clark University assistant professor of music John Aylward was awarded a 2017 commission by the Fromm Music Foundation. One of 12 composers chosen by the Harvard-based foundation, Mr. Aylwards commission offers him the chance to compose a new work and a subsidy to have his collaborating musicians bring that music to life.

Nichols talk focuses on starting business

Michael Covino, president and CEO of Niche Hospitality Group which operates Worcester restaurants Mezcal, The Fix, The Citizen and Bocado will speak at Nichols College at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in the colleges library at 123 Center Road, Dudley. Mr. Covino will share his experiences and advice on how to start and grow a business. In addition to his role at Niche, Mr. Covino is also co-owner of Peak Fitness in Worcester. This talk is part of the librarys Mind Your Own Business speaker series.

Suicide survivor will speak at WSU

Kevin Hines will speak about "Suicide Prevention - Prevention through Wellness and Hope" at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 15 at Worcester State University in the Student Center Blue Lounge.

Mr. Hines is one of the less than 1 percent of survivors of jumps off the Golden Gate Bridge, and he has made it his life's mission since that day to promote wellness by telling his story via a book, "Cracked, Not Broken: Surviving and Thriving After a Suicide Attempt," and public lectures across the country. He has received many honors for his efforts, including the Mental Health America signature award for efforts to improve the lives of those with mental illness.

RSVP is required by emailing daquafresca@worcester.edu.

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College Town: WPI Robotics team aims for $1M NASA prize - Worcester Telegram