| Treasure Hunting Robots -- The Contest |
From "Robot Rivals"
episode DROB-112 |
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Once time runs out, each team must stop work on their robot. Each team can then inspect the work of the opposing team. Next, the robot showdown begins. The teams assemble at the robotic playing field.
The Rules:
- Robots will search through sand in a contained area to find and collect silver pucks.
- There are six silver pucks buried in each team's side of the playing field.
- Each silver puck is valued at 25 points.
- In addition to silver pucks, there are six red pucks. Each red puck collected subtracts 25 points from the team's total score.
- To achieve high scores, teams must be able to successfully discriminate between the pucks. Their respective robots must be able to avoid or discard the red pucks while collecting the silver ones.
- The team with the most silver pucks, and highest score, after a timed 5-minute interval will win the competition and move on to the final round of the tournament
Southern Illinois receives a 5-second head-start since they used a total of 15 salvaged items from the household item, while Southern Utah used 13.
The Contest:
- At the start of the competition (figure A), Southern Illinois endeavors to take advantage of their 5-second head-start, but immediately has trouble with their robot being able to move effectively throught the thick sand.
- Once Southern Utah enters the fray, their robot's wheels also have some trouble in the sand.
- After raising the scoop, the Southern Utah robot is eventually able to dig in and achieve some traction and mobility (figure B).
- Southern Illinois continues to struggle with traction problems (figure C). Matt tries to vary the controls, but problems persist.
- When the Southern Illinois finally team is finally able to locate a puck, the first one they retrieve is a red one (figure D). They are able to successfully eject the red puck.
- Southern Utah continues searching (figure E). A silver puck is located, and the robot is able to successfully lift it from the sand (figure F) and deposit it in the hopper.
- The Southern Illinois robot continues to spin its wheels (figure G) as attempts are made to gain traction and mobility.
- With seconds left, Southern Utah locates another silver puck (figure H) and is able to successfully lift and deposit it (figure I).
- With 11 seconds remaining, Southern Illinois is finally able to extract a single silver puck as the clock runs out.
In the post-game follow-up, Southern Illinois expressed satisfaction with the overall design and operation of their robot, but acknowledged that they underestimated the difficulty of mobility in the sand substrate, and had some problems with their scoop design. Their robot's conveyor belt and puck-discriminator mechanism worked just as they were designed to. The team was happy to have made it to the semi-final round. The Southern Utah team designed a robot that was well-conceived, and whose functions were well-integrated. Mentor and robotics expert Brian Nave praised the engineering and operator control of the robot. Southern Utah now moves on to the final round the tournament, and will face the other semi-finalist team, Virginia Tech
RESOURCES :
Robot Builder's Bonanza
Model: 0071362967
Author: Gordon McComb
Build Your Own Robot!
Model: 1568811020
Author: Karl Lunt
Robots, Androids and Animatrons : 12 Incredible Projects You Can Build
Model: 0070328048
Author: John Iovine
Personal Robotics : Real Robots to Construct, Program, and Explore the World
Model: 156881089X
Author: Richard Raucci
Mobile Robots : Inspiration to Implementation
Model: 1568810970
Author: Joseph L. Jones, et al
Sensors for Mobile Robots : Theory and Application
Model: 1568810482
Author: H.R. Everett
Special Thanks for Robot Rivals 100 series
The Robot Store
provided various robotic components for Robot Rivals.
www.robotstore.com
IFI Robotics
makers of the "Isaac 32" control system.
www.ifirobotics.com
NPC Robotics
provided wheels and motors for Robot Rivals.
www.npcrobotics.com
Robotic Power Solutions
provided battery packs.
www.battlepack.com
Parallax Inc.
Provided microprocessors, on-board robotic cameras, autonoumous programming.
www.parallaxinc.com
Hobbico
provided Futaba control system.
www.hobbico.com
Alloy Frame Systems
provided extruded-aluminum frame materials.
www.alloyframesystems.com
SMC Corporation of America
provided pneumatic systems.
www.smcusa.com
Team Delta
provided wiring kits and electrical wiring.
www.teamdelta.com
Radio Shack
provided component cabinets.
www.radioshack.com
Campbell Hausfeld Tools
provided pneumatic tools and compressor used on Robot Rivals.
www.campbellhausfeld.com
Delta Machinery
provided tools used on Robot Rivals.
www.deltawoodworking.com
Porter Cable
provided tools used on Robot Rivals.
www.porter-cable.com
Waterloo Industries
provided tool chests used on Robot Rivals.
www.waterlooindustries.com
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