by Allyson O'Bryant, Student Public Relations Writer
What started as a senior design project for six Cedarville University engineering students could turn into smarter, safer lift trucks for Crown Equipment Corp in New Bremen, Ohio.
Cedarville’s engineering students partnered with Crown Equipment Corp., a leading material handling company, to create image-processing algorithms that improve human-operated and autonomous lift truck performance. Under the 
guidance of Dr. Fred Harmon, professor of electrical engineering, and Dr. Xiaowei Chen, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, the students designed systems using neural networks and machine learning to detect pallet alignment and load presence on lift trucks — key functions for boosting automation and operator efficiency.
“Cameras and sensors provide algorithm input to microprocessors that determine if a pallet is aligned correctly or if a load is present,” Harmon described.
The team included recently graduated computer and electrical engineering majors Elijah Bolleddu of Howell, Michigan; Braden Clark of Springfield, Ohio; Wyatt Fisher of Cincinnati, Ohio; Nayer Nagy of Mahopac, New York; Avery Rair of Navarre, Ohio and Luke Richardson of Nitro, West Virginia.
Crown, which has earned 125 international awards since 1962, is known for its innovations in forklift safety and productivity. While Cedarville’s electrical and computer engineering students have previously partnered with nonprofits and smaller firms, this collaboration marks one of the department’s first corporate partnerships.
Crown engineers will continue the work by mentoring a new team of students next academic year, building on the progress made and strengthening the connection between classroom learning and industry impact.
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences, and professional fields. With 6,384 students, it ranks among Ohio's largest private universities and is recognized by The Wall Street Journal as being among the nation’s top three evangelical universities. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics, and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu. &Բ;