ME310 project blog
Radicand site visit and team meeting
Tuesday started with an interesting visit to Radicand's facilities in Redwood City. We only got a little lost before we found our way to them.. Their workshop was an interesting and inspiring place to wander around. Small start-ups and huge ambitions inspired us all!
Lounge and silent-room, a conference rooms that can fit four people
Mechatronics shed
Ample workshop area
At the end of the day, we had our first project focused meeting. Not a lot of excitement to take pictures of, but productive non the less. We have planned our team communication schedule, found a common focus area and a general progression plan. Skype and OneNote is expected to provide the necessary technical support for cross-the-pond collaboration.
28.10.2015
Problem framing
Monday the Australians told us about a few tools to help with problem framing, petals and timelines were tested briefly before we were told to prototype the environment our project is supposed to work within. We set up a road network involving a highway, some city roads and a rural neighborhood. Can you find any pain-points?
28.10.2015
Team-building and socializing in the sun
Sunday we got a zipcar and headed south to Santa Cruz, and the boardwalk amusement park. We got to ride the historic Giant Dipper, enjoy some sun, play volleyball and taste the local Taffy.
Wooden roller coasters are the best!
Happy catching and Hula dancing. What a wonderful place California is!
Road-trip in the USA!
27.10.2015
PaperBike race day!
We finally got to assemble our craft, and see what it could do. We can say that we're at least happy with how our bike ended up looking in the end. The day was super exciting and Lake Lagunita was filled with happy students. The atmosphere was vibrant, and the bike race entertaining.
Patiently awaiting our turn, enjoying pizza and root beer
It was a beautiful day for an outdoor activity!
And off we go!
At least for a little while.. After the first bend, we were challenged by a serious ditch!
We keep soldiering on..
The first round is finished in total catastrophe!
We still refuse to give up, but it turns out to be fruitless.
Our construction gets to shine on in PaperBike heaven!
All in all we had a great time, even if we didn't do very well in the competition. We were overwhelmed by the excitement and energy among the teams. Great work to the Irish team that won the whole thing! (after scavenging our bike for spare parts 
)
27.10.2015
A lot of stuff has happened during the two previous days! The ME310 global kick off event has started, helped along by the Trolls from Norway.
Following a few talks, among others from Larry Leifer himself, the day passed along quickly. The evening was filled with an interesting visit at Autodesk's facilities in San Francisco.
We have also been invited into the infamous ME310 loft, where our team has their work-space. As a friendly reminder, last years grand success hangs subtly just over our heads.
In preparation for Saturday's paper bike competition, we have unpacked our box and started assembly of our vehicle. Tomorrow is race day! You'll also get to to see our final design.
Finally, we have gotten our challenge from Renault's Shad. We have already been excited about this project. Today however, everything changed! Reality is here, and it is about to be challenged.
And now, our journey begins!
23.10.2015
A brief look at today's events. Let's call it team-building and go to bed with a clear conscience. The Norwegians have enjoyed a beautiful October day including both bathing and volleyball.
Tomorrow we'll start working (promise)
21.10.2015
Another update from the days already passed by. Our first look at Stanford University, and meeting our Stanford counterparts for the coming Renault challenge. Looking forward to the coming months of project work!
"Welcome to Stanford", walking up Palm Drive towards the Main Quad
Ferdinand, Antoine, Jardar, Stine, Kristoffer, Hala and Griffin. Ready to "Renault it all!"
21.10.2015
After a couple of relaxing days in sunny California, we are starting to get used to the situation. We've had a look at San Francisco, walked a bit around the Stanford campus and we have met our new collaboration partners from Stanford.
Touristic transportation. Lovely mechanical propulsion and a scenic trip across the city.
American Pale Ale in the Californian sun, life is hard.
In other news, our cardboard box (a.k.a PaperBike) have arrived as well. The U.S. customs and border protection just wanted to have a look at it first. The main reason for it's late arrival though, was that our (1x1x0,5m) box couldn't fit on the tiny plane that brought us from Trondheim to Copenhagen on Sunday. It had to go through Oslo as well.
21.10.2015
Sunday was traveling day. Flying westward made the day last for 33 hours, it's interesting how much you can get done with that extra bit of time!
Half the team went straight from a night out and directly to the airport, despite this the spirit stayed high all the way. Flying over both Greenland and Canada we got glimpses of beautiful snow covered mountains, poetry to a Norwegian heart!
Flying in over the San Francisco area was another highlight of the trip and from the airport we caught a SuperShuttle to our AirBnB apartment.
Summed up: All is well!
19.10.2015
To get to know the team while doing something practical, the work on this years PaperBike has taken place. An intensive 48h effort resulted in...
a duckt-taped box!
What the box hides? Remains to be seen!
17.10.2015