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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/dsp013r074z33h
Title: The InvestEggator: A GPS-Enabled Replica Sea Turtle Egg for Tracking Central American Poachers
Authors: Umbriac, Kristen
Advisors: Martinelli, Luigi
Department: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Certificate Program: Robotics & Intelligent Systems Program
Class Year: 2024
Abstract: In 2017 the InvestEggator was conceptualized and developed by conservation scientist Kim Williams-Guillén of Paso Pacifico. This 3D printed device, designed to replicate a sea turtle eggshell, was placed into active turtle nests and contained a GPS tracker to record the movements of poachers who picked it up. This thesis iterates upon the most recent 2023 InvestEggator design, experimenting with GPS tracker modifications and an alternative shell manufacturing process in order to improve efficacy while maintaining low production costs. A Formlabs resin printed shell design was prototyped and finalized as a two-part "easter egg" model made from Flexible 80A resin, drastically improving surface smoothness and water resistance. Next, a series of tests were performed on the TrackiPet off-the-shelf GPS tracker to determine the device's power-on voltage and current draw. Battery capacity was extended by a factor of 2 through extensive testing of a variety of battery alternatives, and hardware modifications were implemented to accommodate the new battery configuration. Finally, experiments with adhesives, silicone filler, and airbrushed paint were performed in order to more closely reproduce the look and feel of turtle eggs. These adjustments create a more realistic and durable product, aiding in the InvestEggator's mission of accurately tracking egg poachers across Central America.
URI: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/dsp013r074z33h
Type of Material: Princeton University Senior Theses
Language: en
Appears in Collections:Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, 1924-2024
Robotics and Intelligent Systems Program

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