Recruitment of students in engineering programs is a critical endeavor for universities striving to thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape. This master’s thesis investigates the effectiveness of utilizing an ASU-inspired Mandalorian armor set as a recruitment prop at engineering recruitment events. The research questions posed in this study delve into the behavioral response of event attendees and evaluate the prop's effectiveness in generating interest and initiating interactions with ASU recruiting staff. Drawing on a combination of observational data, thematic analysis, and insights from the literature review, this study evaluates the prop's impact on booth traffic, attendee engagement, and overall recruitment efforts. The observational data collected from two recruitment events on March 22, 2024, and March 24, 2024, revealed fluctuations in attendee engagement with the prop, with substantial visitor traffic observed on March 22, 2024, compared to March 24, 2024. The thematic analysis provided deeper insights into the prop's role as a conversation starter and attraction for both adults and children, highlighting its ability to spark curiosity and inquiries about its significance and association with ASU and engineering programs. The literature review supported these findings, offering insights into the dynamics of college choice processes and the strategic deployment of marketing practices in higher education recruitment. Concepts from studies by Han (2014), Rogers et al. (2010), Muller et al. (2010), and Brignull & Rogers (2003) informed the design attribution, booth interaction strategies, and logistical considerations associated with the prop's deployment.

In today’s modern world, industrial robots are utilized in hazardous working condi-tions across all industries, including the renewable energy industry. Robot control systems and sensors receive and transmit information and data obtained from the users. Over the last ten years, unmanned vehicles have developed into a subject of interest for a variety of research institutions. Technology breakthroughs are redefin- ing disaster relief, search-and-rescue(SAR) and salvage operations’ for aerial robotic systems as well as terrestrial and marine ones. A team of collaborative robots is required for the challenging environments, such as space construction, and disaster relief. These robots will have to make trade-offs between mobility and capabilities owing to cost, power, and size constraints. Task execution in numerous areas may de- mand for robot collaboration in order to optimize team performance. An analysis of collaborative Unmanned Aerial Vehicle(UAV) and Unmanned Ground Vehicle(UGV) systems is one of the main components of this thesis. UAV/UGV collaborative frame- works and methods have been presented for reaching or monitoring moving human targets, a stated set-point for a mobile UGV robot to go to in order to approach a dynamic target, and actions to take by the UAVs when the mobile UGV robot is obstructed and cannot reach the target. This method encourages the target and robot to work together more closely. This is one of the most difficult issues in search and rescue operations since human targets are seldom found using just land robots or aerial robots. Finally, the purpose of this thesis is to suggest that the evaluation of the performance of a collaborative robot system may be accomplished by measuring the mobility of robots. Even though multi-robot coordination aids in SAR opera- tions, the findings of the study presented in this thesis conclude that the integration of various autonomous robotic systems in unstructured environments is difficult and that there is currently no unitary analytical model that can be used for this purpose.

Photoplethysmography (PPG) is currently a leading and growing field of researchwithin the biomedical industry. With its primary use in pulse oximetry and capability of quickly, non-intrusively, evaluating essential vital signs like heart rate and oxygen levels. This thesis will explore the literature on new and innovative research in pulse oximetry. Then introduce PPG signals including how to calculate heart rate, oxygen saturation, and current problems, mainly focused on motion artifacts. The development of hardware and software systems using Bluetooth to transmit data to MATLAB for algorithm processing. Testing different signal processing techniques and parameters evaluating their effects on algorithm accuracy and reduction of motion artifact. Using accelerometers to identify motion and apply filters to effectively reduce minor motion artifacts. Then perform real-time data analysis and algorithm processing resulting in heart rate and oxygen level calculations.

While pulse oximeter technology is not necessarily an area of new technology, advancements in performance and package of pulse sensors have been opening up the opportunities to use these sensors in locations other than the traditional finger monitoring location. This research report examines the full potential of creating a minimally invasive physiological and environmental observance method from the ear location. With the use of a pulse oximeter and accelerometer located within the ear, there is the opportunity to provide a more in-depth means to monitor a pilot for a Gravity-Induced Loss of Consciousness (GLOC) scenario while not adding any new restriction to the pilot's movement while in flight. Additionally, building from the GLOC scenario system, other safety monitoring systems for military and first responders are explored by alternating the physiological and environmental sensors. This work presents the design and development of hardware, signal processing algorithms, prototype development, and testing results of an in-ear wearable physiological sensor.