The College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture at the University of Hartford focuses on providing students with project-based learning experiences. Electrical Engineering student Benjamin Chern ’25, always had a passion for technology research and discovered that the extracurricular learning opportunity at UHart has been beneficial for helping him deepen his learning.
Chern is currently managing one of the CETA Assistive Robot Teams (ART) directed by Professor Kiwon Sohn. The team is working on an autonomous drone delivery project, where the goal is to enable the drone to deliver a lunch box of on-campus restaurant to a destination safely. Ben has worked on the development of a low-cost drone prototype that can transport a payload with long distance autonomously since February 2022.
Throughout his time on the team, Chern shared that due to the smaller size of the electrical engineering program, he can build close relationships with fellow team members and faculty.
“I am a fan of the robotics program; it was very easy to propose my project and get the ball rolling on that. Also, since the student body is smaller, I am able to connect and study with most of the other electrical engineers in my class and work on assignments with them.”
In response to Chern’s involvement, Professor Sohn shared “Recently, Ben and 2 other members in the team completed building the first prototype and demonstrated successful tele-operated flying in the university campus. In the coming spring 2023 semester, they will continue to develop the more advanced navigation functions of the drone.”
Chern shared that he appreciates Professor Sohn for helping him with the drone project by providing him access to the robotics lab and supplying the parts.
Alongside his work with the ART team, Chern also moved to Tucson, Arizona over the summer to work at Raytheon Missiles and Defense as a product development engineering. He was responsible circuit board designs and ensuring that they could be effectively manufactured.
“Sometimes the designers will create features on the board that cannot be reliably fabricated by our suppliers, so it is my responsibility to review the designs to make sure that there are no issues going from a concept to a physical product” He added, “This required communicating between the designers and the suppliers to ensure continuity throughout the whole process.”
During his time at Raytheon, he also visited supplier manufacturing facilities and had the opportunity to follow circuit board development from start to finish.
As Chern continues his undergraduate career, he shared that he would continue to study and find internships to gain more practical experience. While he is unsure exactly what part of the electronics industry he wants to pursue, he explained he would like to strengthen his experience in electronics manufacturing.
Benjamin Chern ’25, College of Engineering, Technology, and ArchictureI am a fan of the robotics program; it was very easy to propose my project and get the ball rolling on that. Also, since the student body is smaller, I am able to connect and study with most of the other electrical engineers in my class and work on assignments with them.