Prototype – Yates Innovations

AI Powered Connect 4 Display

Services Utilized: Design Services, Prototype

What is it?

The AI-Powered Connect 4 is a functional prototype that allows guests to play the classic game Connect 4 in real life with an artificially intelligent digital opponent. The purpose of the display is twofold: guests get to experience playing against an AI in real life, while our customer can spend a few minutes with them discussing the value proposition that they offer. The game was overwhelmingly successful at the trade show. Our customer had a line of people that extended around all the other booths at the trade show, of people who wanted to challenge the AI. The result of the display was hundreds of leads and wide recognition of the company as leaders in the implementation of AI.

Why show this?

Artificial intelligence is part of our reality today and will be a bigger part of our future moving forward. Most AI implementations exist as text, code, emails, or spoken prompts and work in the background of larger businesses that have a budget to develop such technology. They are essentially using AI as digital robots that take over office workers' duties. Most of the time, the idea is to replace a role with AI such that no one notices the job is being done by AI. This AI was meant to be put on display so that users can see what it does and watch what it is "thinking" via a laptop that shows its code working in real-time to solve the Connect 4 problem. The game is just a medium to show the customer's prospective clients what is possible and, hopefully, stimulate creativity that will lead to new implementations of AI, including hardware. Innovation, in this case, is a combination of some sensors, small motors, with the emerging technology of AI to create a show-stopping experience. At Yates Innovations, we strive to help our customers win. In this case, we made the frame of the unit, machined, fabricated, and 3D printed all the hardware, and assembled the unit. We partnered with Kennedy Engineering to create the electronic circuit boards and programming that integrated the AI with our hardware.

Watch it work!

We tested the prototype at the Midwest RepRap Festival to ensure that it would function correctly and improve the user experience before its intended use at the Convention.

Fabricated Assemblies

Services Utilized: Design Services, Prototype

What is it?

The solar panel cart was designed for 1st Maker Space. The carts will be used as part of a mobile sustainable technology program that can be moved from school to school via a customized enclosed trailer. The purpose of the trailer is to share equipment that is not normally available to students with multiple locations. The goal of this program is to teach students about alternative energy, specifically about solar power. The cart is made of welded steel angle and is strong, yet lightweight at about 25 lbs. The corner brace plates have been fitted with locking casters to make the units easy to move. The support rails in the center of the carts will hold a pair of heavy-duty lead-acid batteries. The batteries act as ballast to keep the cart stable in windy conditions. The vertical stays in the back of the cart have been drilled to accept a plywood working board that will allow mounting of charge controllers, inverters, and test equipment. The carts will give students real hands-on experience with solar energy on a relevant scale. They can take measurements and see that it is truly possible to power real appliances and do real work using solar panels.

Why show this?

Yates Innovations offers a wide range of services, including design, welding, and general fabrication. All of these services were used on this project. We were happy to take our customer's concept and create a functional prototype from it. The result of our effort was a pair of tough Solar Carts that will last a long time and serve many students. We were happy to help with this project because sustainability is important, as is educating our young people about how to implement this technology.