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CAVEMAN

Senior Design Project
University of Pittsburgh
Spring 2025

Autonomous Cave-Mapping Robot
Custom Chassis, Hardware, & Control
13+ Actuators & Sensors
5 People, 3 Months, All from Scratch

From idea to final product, our team developed this robot over the course of 1 college semester. Utilizing a custom PCB & Embedded Control, ROS2, and Computer Vision, this robot autonomously navigates cave environments. With tireless development and testing, we integrated all facets of engineering and design to create this functional rover.

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Cave Hazard Image
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Caves are 
dangerous unlit unstable unpredictable treacherous unexplored unmapped

We want to keep people out of danger!

We want to explore and map caves!


Introducing CAVEMAN

Cave Autonomous Vehicle for Exploration, Mapping, And Navigation



Meet Buddy!


Check out the Maps Buddy Created:




Learn more about our process!




Special Thanks to:

Dr. Samuel Dickerson
Vice Chair, ECE Department
University of Pittsburgh
Matthew Dudik
VP of Perception Products
Carnegie Robotics Laboratory
Matthew Csencsits
Principal Robotics Software Engineer
Tech Solutions Inc.
Dr. Anthony Iannacchione
Associate Professor Emeritus of Civil/Environmental Engineering
University of Pittsburgh
Dr. Joseph Samosky
Associate Professor Emeritus of Bioengineering
University of Pittsburgh
Dr. Brandon Grainger
Co-Director, Pitt Energy GRID Institute & Pitt AMPED
University of Pittsburgh