2024 Computer Science Capstone Symposium

The Computer Science Department senior capstone presentations will take place Friday, May 3rd and Saturday, May 4th in Xavier 201 on the Pacific Lutheran University campus.  If you’d like to join the capstone Zoom session, please email Assistant Professor Jeff Caley at caleyjb@plu.edu.

Friday, May 3rd

1pm – Security Car
Beck Faubion (BA), Lucius Holzinger (BS), Seth Verenski (BS), Angelo Ramos (BS)

In an era of advancing technology, the integration of autonomous systems in security applications has become paramount. “The Security Car” represents an innovative approach to security and mapping, leveraging fundamental tools for autonomous navigation and data collection. This capstone project presents an autonomous RC car equipped with Lidar sensors for precise environmental mapping and obstacle detection, integrated with ROS (Robot Operating System) for robust control and sensor data management.

As the vehicle navigates its environment, it employs frontier exploration algorithms to identify and mark new frontiers for exploration. Additionally, utilizing a Raspberry Pi-based camera system in conjunction with OpenALPR, the car scans license plates along its path to enhance security monitoring capabilities. This combination of Lidar, ROS, and computer vision technologies ensures efficient and reliable autonomous operation for security and mapping tasks.

1:30pm – Break 

2:15pm – Business Management Application
Stuart Gavidia (BS), Jonah Mulcrone (BA), Stan Piddubnyy (BA), Cole Stewart (BS)

In today’s dynamic small business landscape, the need for a centralized, efficient, and intuitive management tool has never been more pronounced. In response to discussions with experienced business owners, the identified requirements emphasize the importance of a centralized, efficient, and user-friendly tool with features such as calendar integration, business analytics dashboarding, and a streamlined messaging system. The application, built with a Service-Oriented Architecture, utilizes various technologies, including React JS, Flask, Node JS,
and databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB. The well-thought-out design incorporates Docker containers, a NginX-powered API gateway, and a caching layer using Redis, fostering scalability and independence among developers. The proposed application encompasses services such as User, Analytic, Calendar, and Communication, each tailored to meet specific business needs. Noteworthy is the commitment to cutting-edge technologies, with Azure and AWS integration for communication and deployment. The result is a holistic business management solution that combines technological sophistication, adaptability, and user-centric design to empower businesses in their day-to-day operations and decision-making processes.

2:45pm – Lethal Home
Eric Aguirre (BA)

This project introduces a video game that aims to recreate the experience of the beloved Home Alone franchise, with a horror twist. Built using the Godot engine, players will need to defend their house from a pair of intruders by building traps, cornering the intruders, and evading capture until the sun rises. The goals for this game included a solo mode and a multiplayer co-op mode with scaling difficulty, procedurally generated environments, and complex, neural network driven enemy AI. This AI will be trained through repeated simulations during development and fully trained AI will have its knowledge regulated in game based on difficulty by an enemy controller object, allowing difficulty to scale with player count by enemy count and intelligence. Multiplayer co-op implementation uses WebRTC protocol through a Google Cloud server. As of the end of the project’s development period, a partially-functioning house generator has been implemented to act as the game environment, along with a save and load system powered by binary serialization. Future work must be done to widen the current scope of the project to include the previously determined end-state goals.

Saturday, May 4th

10am – Turn-Based Fighting Game
Daniel Ma (BS), Tyler Stratton (BS), Kevin Thompson (BS)

Our project is a turn-based fighting game which integrates real-world styles of martial arts using the open-source Godot Game Engine. Each style possesses strengths and weaknesses, so we implemented a moveset and stat system that reflects a character’s martial prowess. In order to implement storage and loading of multiple different types of characters in a given device, SQLite is used to create and manage a local data storage system. In order to provide the setting for players to enjoy gameplay, we have implemented a campaign mode and versus mode.

10:30am – Scout’s Quest
Brandon Foster (BS), Jevan Wilskey (BS)

Scout’s Quest is a “Rhythm Game / RPG, a video game with roleplaying elements that also includes active input in time with music being played. Players will get to experience a new take on the classic RPG style inspired by other video games like Persona 5, Chrono Trigger, and Paper Mario. Utilizing the GameMaker Studio 2 game engine, this project holistically explores the game design process, including implementing exploration and combat systems, creating a world, building its characters, and writing a story that will keep players engaged. Players can experience a variety of features such as a traversable map, collectable items, and battles with enemies. Along their journey, players will delve into the game’s narrative and interact with a diverse cast of characters within the game world. Our primary feature is a music based rhythm minigame which occurs in combat, where players will have to time their button presses to music in order to increase the power of their combat skills. By combining this unique mechanic with the traditional design and philosophies of an RPG, we hope to present an experience that is enjoyable to all.

11am – Break

11:15am – Player Piano
Eric Golde (BA), Camden Hunt (BS)

The Player Piano project embodies the integration of technological advancement and creative expression, seeking to transform a conventional upright piano into a fully automated player piano capable of flawlessly playing MIDI files. This ambitious project employs an array of solenoids paired with a microcontroller to precisely activate piano keys in perfect alignment with digitally encoded tunes. The platform provides enthusiasts with an immersive exploration of the piano’s capabilities through a customized website, offering access to a carefully curated assortment of musical compositions. The piano functionality is programmed using Java, while the website structure is developed with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This project, rich in intricate electrical engineering details, posed a significant challenge, highlighting both its technical sophistication and artistic innovation.

11:45am – Denwa Petto
Anyah Arboine (BS), Angel Gomez-Hummel (BS), Mary Nguyen (BS), Kirill Perfiliev (BA)

Denwa Petto draws inspiration from the iconic Tamagotchi toy, integrating classic features such as nurturing a virtual pet and modern advancements, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and enhanced graphics. The mobile app was developed with JavaScript, React Native, HTML, CSS, and designed in Figma, offering compatibility for Android and IOS devices. Players can enjoy immersive experiences across the main game, story mode, and combat mode. In the main game, players interact, feed, and purchase items for their pets using in-game currency. The story mode enriches the experience by utilizing the OpenAI API, enabling players to engage in rich text conversations with an AI bot powered by ChatGPT and generate customizable images using Dall-E. The innovative step-tracking feature connects physical wellness to gameplay, with each step influencing the pet’s combat strength within the turn-based combat mode. We believe that immersing players in a fun virtual pet app while also promoting physical wellness through the step tracker will create a fulfilling and rewarding experience.

12:15pm – Lunch

1:00pm – ConductVR
Noatak Post (BA), Curtis Ganung (BA)

ConductVR is an education focused application built for the Meta Quest platform that will allow users to learn and practice the art of conducting music by taking advantage of visual aids, the Meta Quest’s real-time hand-tracking, and adaptive music playback through a MIDI controller. For this application we use Inverse Kinematics to allow the player to see their upper body and arms to help make the application feel more ‘real’. This application will also allow users to connect to each other in real-time so that one user could give feedback to the other on how they are doing with their conducting style.

1:30pm – Kitchen Frenzy
Duffy Anderson (BS), Lizzie Arias Dejesus (BS), Ehukai DeLude (BS), Cassie Meboe (BS), Josh Sia (BS)

The Plasticware Party Game is a 3D multiplayer local video game designed within the Unity development platform and utilizing C# scripts. The game features five timed minigames targeted towards all ages, with the main story focusing on shrunken-down characters who navigate through a frantic kitchen environment and solve various games to progress and score points. The game is split into four main components: A login page, a lobby joining section, the main kitchen game screen, and each of the five minigames. User joining takes place in a foyer through the use of a shared joining code, and the user has an option to create a unique login to store game data and scored achievements. Each of the five minigames are tethered to and designed for a specific area of the kitchen, utilizing various problem-solving skills to educate players on proper tupperware usage and handling. The game is locally hosted and has multiplayer capability of up to 4 players. Overall, we created a streamlined product with plenty of features for an entertaining and educational gameplay experience.