Frank Lucci
BASIS San Antonio Shavano Campus
Castle Hills, TX
SubArc: A Low-Cost, High Resolution Rotary Encoder
Frank Lucci, 18, of San Antonio, developed SubArc, a low-cost sensor that helps robots move accurately and precisely, for his Regeneron Science Talent Search engineering project.
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Frank’s sensor, a high-resolution rotary encoder, converts mechanical motion into digital signals to monitor movement. These sensors typically cost hundreds to thousands of dollars, making them inaccessible to independent researchers and low-budget programs.
In his project, Frank designed an open-source, customizable sensor that uses magnets to measure rotation very precisely, so it works reliably even in dusty conditions. He developed a new way to process the signal that allows the sensor to be made with cheaper parts and simpler manufacturing. His creation matched the high-resolution of the more expensive options. Instead of first building a high-resolution prototype, he designed smaller versions that could be scaled up. Frank’s unit costs less than $25, almost 20 times cheaper than existing products. Frank’s work may lower the cost barrier to high-precision robotics.
The child of Alison Beshur and Frank Lucci, Frank attends BASIS San Antonio Shavano, where he founded the aerospace club and is a founding member of his robotics team. He is also a cross-country runner.
Beyond the Project
Frank volunteered for, and later interned at, Astroport Space Technologies, a lunar construction company, where he helped create a robot frame that maneuvers a device that makes bricks from lunar soil.
FUN FACTS: Frank has a collection of over 30 promotional sunglasses frames. With his prescription lenses custom-cut to the shape of the sunglasses, he can style with whichever frame style he’s in the mood for.
