Wing Sweep, Thickness, and Proportion vs Lift
Wind tunnel study that tested sweep, thickness, and chord proportion on lift.
Hi, I am Alex Otlacan. I am a Robotics Engineering Student at the University of Michigan
Junior Robotics Engineering student at the University of Michigan. I care about learning and teaching everyone about Engineering.
RoboticsControlsCADPrototypingFront-endAnimation
Research and Other Projects
Nerf Darts Range and Accuracy
Center of mass vs range and deviation.
AI Learning Dots
Agents learn to reach a target across generations.
FIRST Robotics
Highlights
- Einstein Field, FIRST Championship. 2023 Curie Division.
- Top ranking in Michigan.
- Rebuilding years from 2019 to 2020 after COVID with a big focus on rebranding and getting student skill prepared for next seasons.
- I became lead scout. Where I created and operated our first offline scouting system to be used in low bandwidth events.
- Watch our Behind the Bumpers from our 2023 season when we got Einstein Field and won Curie Division
- Rank 4 in 2023
- Rank 51 in 2022
Gallery
Michigan Marching Band
Highlights
- Alto Saxophone. Game day performances at Michigan Stadium.
- Rose Bowl trip. Add your year and details.
- DEI and Sustainability committees.
Photos
Personal Projects
Nurse Case Study — Autonomous Medication Dispensing Robot
Workflow, UI, and system overview for a hospital medication-dispensing concept. This was a case study done during one of my Robotics classes and was a semester long project. This was a group project where a handful of nurses were asked about their burnout and we were tasked to find what robotic solution would best fit their needs.
I Love You More Tomorrow
This is my first book I wrote and published on Amazon. This book is about the first year of my relationship and what that has felt and looked like over the first year. I plan on writing more and have enjoyed writing my first one.
Team 830 Scouting 2025
As a Scouting and Mechanical mentor on FRC Team 830 I wrote an offline-friendly scouting web app for match data collection and analysis that was done through Excel.
Gym Discord Bot
This became a side project to learn how to script and make a Discord bot that listens to commands and integrates with the Discord API.
Experience and education timeline
Mechanical and Design Mentor — FRC RatPack Robotics
Jan 2024 to Present · Ann Arbor, MI- Support 30+ students during build season and events.
- Train students on CNC and 3D printing; faster assemblies with custom brackets.
- Excel and VBA match analytics to improve strategy.
Computer Consultant Fellowship — Duderstadt Ground Connection
Oct 2024 to Present · Ann Arbor, MI- Certified on CNC, laser, FDM and SLA printers.
- Assist with fabrication and troubleshooting to reduce downtime.
Lead Scout and Design — FRC Steel Armadillos
Oct 2019 to Jun 2023 · Warren, MI- Built the team’s offline scouting system for low-bandwidth events.
- Created a machining training device to raise proficiency.
University of Michigan — B.S.E. Robotics Engineering, Music minor
Aug 2023 to Apr 2027 · Ann Arbor, MICourses: Computational Linear Algebra, Human Robot Systems, Intro Data Structures, Multivariable Calculus, Logic Design.
Macomb Community College — Dual Enrollment
Aug 2021 to Apr 2023MMSTC and Warren Mott High School
2019 to 2023Skills
Languages
C++JavaJavaScriptHTMLCSS
Tools and frameworks
ArduinoFusion 360OnshapeSolidWorksBlenderGoogle Apps ScriptFirebaseExcelVBAPhotoshopIllustratorPremiereLightroom
Machines
CNC MillBantam CNCBigRepStratasys J850Epilog Laser3D ScannerPrusa MK4FormlabsSoldering
Contact
- School aotlacan@umich.edu
- Personal aotlacan@gmail.com
- LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/aotlacan
- GitHub github.com/aotlacan