Auburn Engineers Develop Tennis Ball Collection Robot

Haitham Eletrabi is an engineer who loves tennis. A few years ago while working with a ball machine he felt like more time was spent chasing after balls than actually playing tennis. After a quick survey of the ball collecting options available he felt unsatisfied and went to work on his own design. The Tennibot is billed as ‘the world���s first robotic tennis ball collector and with a team of engineers and designers Eletrabi is running a crowdfunding campaign to release the machine.
The robot itself is very straightforward, reminding me of the basic style of many FIRST Robotics Competition machines from the last five years. Computer vision allows the robot to move autonomously around the tennis court with two flywheels to intake the balls and deposit them into a bucket. The robot is driven by its two back wheels and features large arms in the front to guide balls in while preventing collisions with fences or nets. The camera allows the robot to see forward and the controller dictates where the machine has already been and what areas might need to be cleared next. A device called the station houses the camera that tracks the Tennibot on a court, positioning the robot and allowing for autonomous mode.

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Comfort Systems USA Announces Acquisition

Business Wire | February 01, 2024

Comfort Systems USA, Inc. today announced that it has closed its previously announced transaction to acquire Summit Industrial Construction, LLC (“Summit”) headquartered in Houston, Texas. As previously disclosed, Summit is a specialty industrial mechanical contractor offering engineering, design-assist and turnkey, direct hire construction services of modular systems serving the advanced technology, power, and industrial sectors. Summit’s capabilities encompass a wide range of modular and site-based construction, including process piping, equipment setting, large pipe rack trestles, and related steel erection and specialty concrete work. Summit is a trusted supplier to some of the world’s largest advanced technology, power and industrial companies and is currently deployed on several major chip fabrication projects. Initially, Summit is expected to contribute annualized revenues of approximately $375 million to $400 million, and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization of $35 million to $40 million. In light of the amortization expense, Summit is expected to make a neutral to slightly accretive contribution to earnings per share in 2024 and 2025. Brian Lane, Comfort Systems USA’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are delighted to announce the closing of our agreement to acquire Summit, an extremely capable provider of modular and other complex mechanical services. Summit brings a stellar reputation as a modular technology leader in growing end markets, including multiple ongoing and large semiconductor projects. We are happy to welcome Summit’s wonderful leadership team and excellent production and craft workers across many states, and we are confident Summit will continue to innovate and grow as a part of our network of world-class contracting companies. We are grateful that Summit has chosen to become part of Comfort Systems USA.”

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