Our Team will attempt to recreate a single, double, and triple inverted pendulum, along with tackling the design, control, and administration challenges that naturally follow a task such as this. The history of control theory traces back to the 17th century mechanical feedback systems and early 19th-century mathematical analysis of mechanical governors up until the introduction of PID control and modern control theory which has been present in consumer and research products ever since the 20th century. The application of control theory has undoubtedly been beneficial to the world of applied mathematics and engineering. This project will provide an opportunity for our team to dive deep into the weeds of control theory, more specifically, the control systems required to balance a triple inverted pendulum. The successful fabrication and test of this system could act as a valuable tool for educating advanced control theory to those who are new in the field. Along with an educational benefit this system can help provide researchers an opportunity to test and validate any theories related to controls in a safe and efficient manner. The impact of this project within Purdue's school of engineering and engineering technology could enable students and researchers alike to explore different avenues of control theory through the use of this project.
The goal is to design and build a fully functioning single, double, and triple inverted pendulum for the School of engineering technology. This can be utilized for teaching control theory and applying experimental control techniques on a fundamental benchmark test in this field of research. Using the diverse range of skills our group exhibits, this goal is obtainable through a thorough understanding of the problem and the application of resources provided to us through our peers and mentors.