About This Project


This is our 2026 Senior Capstone (Comps) project in the Computer Science department at Carleton College. Over two trimester terms, we researched, implemented, and compared five autonomous navigation algorithms on the TurtleBot4 robotic platform using ROS 2.


Our goal was to understand the practical trade-offs between classical graph-search planners (A*, D* Lite, JPS), reactive controllers (DWA), and hybrid stacks — evaluated in both simulated (Gazebo) and real-world maze environments.

Meet the Team


OB

Oliver Black-Johnston

Team Member

Major: Studio Art, Computer Science
Focus area: Sculpture, Woodworking
Hometown: New York, NY

DD

Devin Dennis

Team Member

Major: Computer Science
Focus area: Software Development
Hometown: Minneapolis, MN

RE

Ngozi Raquel Emeka

Team Member

Major: Computer Science
Focus area: Software Engineering (Full-stack Development)
Hometown: Evanston, IL

DK

Dexter Kong

Team Member

Major: Computer Science
Focus area: Database Systems and Data Engineering
Hometown: New York City, NY

DS

Daniel Scheider

Team Member

Major: Computer Science
Focus area: Software Development, Regenerative Studies
Hometown: Claremont

KS

Kat Smiricinschi

Team Member

Major: Computer Science, Statistics
Focus area: Data Engineering, Technical Operations
Hometown: Shoreview, MN

Acknowledgements


We would like to thank our project advisors for their guidance, support, and feedback throughout the two trimester terms of this capstone project.


CE

Chelsey Edge

COMPS Advisor — Computer Science, Carleton College

MT

Mike Tie

Technical Advisor — Computer Science, Carleton College