FLL UNEARTHED INNOVATION PROJECT

From Guesswork

To Ground Truth

Archaeology is a race against time. We use LiDAR & Dual-Frequency GPR to unearth history before it is lost forever.

Explore Innovation Robot Strategy

The Root Problem

"Wasting time in the wrong areas"

The Guesswork Chain

Our research with Dr. James McGrath-Seegmiller proved that guesswork isn't just slow—it's dangerous. When archaeologists dig "blind," it triggers a cascade of failures:

Artifact Damage

Blind digging destroys fragile history before it can ever be mapped or protected.

Tunnel Collapse

Undetected subterranean voids pose immediate safety risks to the field crews.

Eco Destruction

Unnecessary trial pits ruin local ecosystems and native soil composition forever.

Wasted Funding

Manual labor currently consumes months of budget on empty dig sites.

Innovation Project Board

Visualizing the Challenge

Innovation Stack

Precision Remote Sensing Ecosystem

LiDAR Scanner

Penetrates dense jungle canopies to generate 3D bare-earth topography, revealing hidden ruins unseen for centuries.

Dual GPR

Ground Penetrating Radar detects buried masonry and subterranean density anomalies without disturbing a grain of soil.

GIS Mapping

Coordinate-syncing sensor hits to a global grid for layered, high-precision digital site documentation in real-time.

AI Detection

Custom computer vision models trained to identify artifact shapes and construction patterns automatically during flight.

Scalability & Impact

Solving a $30 Billion Annual Loss

Underground utility strikes cost the U.S. economy $30 Billion annually. Our GPR "Ground Truth" technology prevents catastrophic hits by mapping infrastructure before the first backhoe arrives.

Average Fine for Utility Strike$50,000+
Robogineer GPR Drone Scan~$100

Prototype Budget $5,000

Dual GPR Suite$2,200
LiDAR Mapping Unit$1,100
Hexacopter Airframe$800
AI/GIS Stack$600
Calibration/Misc$300
Total Estimated$5,000

Robot Lab: Meet Jimmy

"Reliability Through Scientific Iteration"

Jimmy Robot Design Board
Engineering Journey
Legacy Platform

Bulky Base / 13 Attachments / Inconsistent Heading

Jimmy V2.0

Modular Arms / 15 Missions / 100% Accuracy

F1 Turn Deceleration

"Inspired by Formula 1 cars braking for an apex, we drive at max speed for 80% of a turn, then engage precision PID snapping for the final 20%."

Algorithm: Gyro_Snap_V2 Verified 100%

Initialization

RESET_YAW_HEADING(0)

High-Speed Gain

MOTOR_START(30%) UNTIL ABS(YAW) > (TARGET - 30)

Precision Snap

MOTOR_START(10%) UNTIL ABS(YAW) > (TARGET - 1)

Final Sync & Full Stop

Failures = Innovation

"We don't lose. We either win or we learn."

Failure #1

The "Drifting" Turn

What Happened: Our initial Gyro turns were inconsistent. The robot would overshoot the target angle due to motor coasting at high speeds.

The Fix

Implemented "F1 Deceleration Logic" (30% speed -> 10% snap) to eliminate drift.

Failure #2

Attachment Overload

What Happened: We started with 13 unique attachments. Swapping them in the launch area took 40% of our match time.

The Fix

Designed a "Master Tractor Base" with just 6 multi-mission modular arms.

Failure #3

Battery vs. Payload

What Happened: Our drone prototype couldn't fly long enough with both LiDAR and GPR sensors attached due to battery weight.

The Fix

Pivoted to a Solar-Hybrid "Land & Charge" system based on expert feedback.

Failure #4

Sensor Pivot: HSI vs. GPR

What Happened: Initially considered Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI), but discovered it was surface-only and too expensive ($25k+).

The Fix

Switched to Dual-Frequency GPR ($2.2k) to see underground and fit our budget.

Community Impact

Sharing Our Knowledge

Giving Back Board
Mentoring FLL #3054

Collaboration with "Lego Blasters"

We exchanged innovation project details with Lego Blasters #3054, learning from their research while sharing ideas they used to enhance their own solution.

Junior Robogineer Program

To ensure team sustainability, we integrated a 2nd-grade apprentice into our workflow. This "Junior Robogineer" learns FLL Core Values and basic mechanics alongside us, preparing the next generation of innovators.

Expert Validation

We presented our prototype to over 80+ visitors and experts, including the Association of Iowa Archaeologists. Their feedback on solar charging vs. battery weight directly influenced our final drone frame design.

Our Core Values

Discovery Beyond the Dig

Core Values Board
Inclusion
Discovery
Teamwork
Innovation
Impact
Fun

System Blueprint

Drone Diagram

Ground Truth V2 System Schematic

Team Achievements

A snapshot of our championship season milestones and awards.

Regional Champions

December 14

Regional FLL Championship Winner.

State Championship

February 7

State Championship and international invite earned.

Innovation Project

Award Winner

State Championship Innovation Project Award Winner.

Robot Game

Award Winner

State Championship Robot Game Award Winner.

Invited to the international world challenge after the February 7 state championship.

See the FLL State Championship event

Help Us Improve

Leave feedback or kudos for the team — no login required.

We only use email to follow up and will not display it publicly.