Autonomous Systems
Navigation, obstacle detection, sensors and automated decision-making.
Deniz Alçar · Project Portfolio
Portfolio and Projects
A selection of robotics, programming, engineering, simulation and creative projects that demonstrate my interest in building systems, solving practical problems and communicating ideas through technology and visual storytelling.
Robotics Control
Remote control, servo systems, embedded programming and hardware integration.
Simulation
Virtual testing environments, robot behaviour and navigation modelling.
Creative Production
Stop-motion, cinematography, editing, visual effects and storytelling.
Featured robotics project
Autonomous maze-navigation robot
A practical engineering project combining sensor input, movement control, embedded programming and autonomous decision-making.
Robotics · Autonomous Navigation
Designing a robot to navigate and solve a maze independently
I designed and built an autonomous robot capable of navigating through a maze while detecting and avoiding obstacles. Ultrasonic sensors were used to measure surrounding distances, while an inertial measurement unit helped improve movement accuracy and directional control.
Control system
Arduino-based embedded control programmed in C++.
Sensor integration
Ultrasonic sensors and an IMU for obstacle detection and movement feedback.
Navigation logic
Autonomous route selection, correction and obstacle avoidance.
Engineering process
Mechanical design, testing, debugging and iterative optimisation.
Robotics and engineering
Control, integration and simulation
These projects focus on communication between hardware and software, responsive control systems and safe virtual testing before physical implementation.
Smartphone-controlled robotic arm
I developed a remotely controlled robotic arm using servo motors and Bluetooth communication. A Raspberry Pi running Python handled the backend control logic, while a custom smartphone application built with React Native was used to send movement commands to the robotic system.
Outcome
The prototype achieved responsive remote movement and demonstrated effective communication between the mobile interface and the robotic arm.
Mobile robot simulation in Gazebo
I created a Gazebo simulation environment for testing a mobile robot under different conditions. ROS was used to model robot behaviour, navigation and responses to obstacles in a cluttered virtual environment.
Outcome
The simulation demonstrated autonomous navigation, environmental awareness and obstacle avoidance in changing virtual scenarios.
Top 10 National Finalist
Physics Research Project · 2024/2025
Producing Graphene Oxide from Waste Materials
As a team of three, our objective was to produce graphene oxide from waste materials using Flash Joule Heating.
Flash Joule Heating is a rapid, high-temperature process that converts carbon-based materials into graphene-based materials within milliseconds by applying intense electrical pulses.
Through our experiments, we successfully generated graphene oxide using human hair and banana peel as waste-based carbon sources. The project was selected as one of the top 10 finalists nationwide in the Aziz Sancar Science and Technology Competition.
Research area
Physics / Condensed Matter Physics
Competition result
Top 10 National Finalist
Participation
2024/2025
Research through experimentation
View Academic Achievements
This project combined condensed matter physics, sustainability and experimental problem-solving.
FIRST Robotics Competition
Magnetar and the Rookie All-Star Award
We joined the FIRST Robotics Competition as Team Magnetar. Through our technical effort, teamwork and strong relationships with other teams, we earned the prestigious Rookie All-Star Award.
Explore the Magnetar Project
CERN Beamline for Schools · 2024/2025
View Academic Achievements
Exploring Time Crystals and Quantum Matter
I joined the CERN Beamline for Schools competition with my team, where our project focused on researching time crystals — a novel non-equilibrium phase of matter.
The project provided a valuable introduction to quantum mechanics, condensed matter physics and experimental research, allowing me to take my first steps into the study of quantum systems.
Area
Physics / Condensed Matter Physics
Participation
2024/2025
Founder Project · 2026
Explore Interactive Projects
COSQEN: Gamified Physics Learning
COSQEN is a physics-focused interactive challenge platform that combines conceptual physics problems, competitive quizzes, leaderboards and certificates within a single intelligent system.
The project aims to make physics learning more engaging, measurable and accessible through gamified scientific interaction.
Role
Founder & Developer
Status
Ongoing Project · 2026
Area
Physics / Science Education / Interactive Systems
Creative projects
Filmmaking and visual experimentation
My filmmaking projects combine planning, frame-by-frame precision, camera technique, editing and visual storytelling.
04
Stop-motion filmmaking
Star Wars: LEGO Adventures
A LEGO stop-motion production with multiple scenes, characters and action sequences. The film was created frame by frame and edited to establish fluid movement, cinematic pacing and visual continuity.
Project outcome
The film was shared with a wider community of LEGO enthusiasts and received positive feedback for its creativity, visual detail and frame-by-frame execution.
05
Robotics competition journey
From Solo Competitor to Robotex World Finals
I first entered Robotex as a solo competitor. Although I did not secure a national award that year, I took the experience as motivation rather than a setback.
The following year, I returned as the team leader. We proudly achieved 2nd place nationwide in Turkey and then earned both 1st and 2nd place at the Robotex World Finals.
Competition outcome
2nd place nationwide in Turkey, followed by 1st and 2nd place achievements at the Robotex World Finals.
Working method
From idea to completed project
Across technical and creative work, I follow a similar process: understand the objective, build a first version, test it carefully and improve it through observation.
Define the problem
Identify the project objective, limitations and the main question the system or production must address.
Design the solution
Select suitable technologies, components, software tools and a practical implementation method.
Build and test
Produce a working prototype or first version and observe how it performs under realistic conditions.
Improve and communicate
Correct weaknesses, refine the result and present the project clearly through documentation or visual media.
Building projects is one of the most effective ways to turn curiosity into real understanding.
Each project has helped me develop a different combination of analytical reasoning, technical accuracy, creativity and persistence. These experiences support my broader academic interest in physics, engineering and scientific research.