DIY Network

Robot Rivals: Union College vs. University of Rochester From "Robot Rivals" episode DROB-212

	Robot Rivals expert Brian Nave.
	Robot Rivals expert Buzz Dawson.
	The Union Team
	The Rochester Team

Overview

The Union College Dutchmen and the University of Rochester Yellowjackets are asked to design and build a robot that can (1) navigate through a vegetable patch and (2) harvest and contain vegetables on board. Union designs a robot with a motorized arm and pneumatic pincers to pull up crops and deposit them into a meshed basin, while Rochester builds a robot with an actuating grate that sifts out vegetables and a chained, spinning agitator to clear accumulated soil into a sieve-like hopper. Design problems and last-minute modifications plague the Yellow Jackets, while the Dutchmen work efficiently and have plenty of time for testing. In the final competition, Rochester's "Happy Harvester" performs more like a salad shooter as Union's "Scorpion" runs away with a load of vegetables and a decisive victory. Rochester has to return home with the sting of defeat, while Union double-dutches to the championship round of Robot Rivals where they'll battle for the J.F. Engelberger Trophy and a $2000 scholarship.

The Teams

Union College

Adam Retersdorf, Senior, Mechanical Engineering
Marissa Post, Senior, Mechanical Engineering
Jason Fishner, Junior, Mechanical Engineering

University of Rochester

Tom Kollar, Senior, Computer Science
Geoff Dawson, Freshman, Computer Science
Eric Lunin, Senior, Environmental Engineering

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	The Union College team at work on their robot's chassis.
	Union College gives their robot a test run.
	The Rochester team adjusts their robot's operating height.
	Rochester at work on their robot.
	Chris Chianelli introduces the teams to their challenge for this round of the compeition.
	The competition begins.

The Designs

Union designs a robot with a motorized arm and pneumatic pincers to pull up crops and deposit them into a meshed basin.

Rochester designs a robot with an actuating grate that sifts out vegetables and a chained, spinning agitator to clear accumulated soil into a sieve-like hopper.

The "Household Item" Component

The teams are given a household item from which they may source parts for the construction of their robots. The team that uses the most parts from the household item receives a pre-determined advantage in the final competition. The household item for this competition: as exercise bicycle.

Construction and Competition

Host Chris Chianelli introduces the Union College and the University of Rochester team members to their challenge: to build a robot that can pick and contain vegetables. Union decides to build a 4-wheel drive robot with steel arms that grab the veggies and lift into a basket, while Brian and Rochester design one that drives along the rows scooping up the vegetables. Chris introduces the garden area and sample of the leaks, turnips and carrots.

Buzz and Brian reveal the surprise household item -- exercise bikes. Marrisa and Geoff outline the details of theior respective team's designs, and building begins. Both teams begin construction of their their robots' chassis.

On the Union side, Adam cuts up the exercise bike while Marrisa Jason construct the frame and arm. Rochester divides up working on the frame and scoop. Buzz delivers an Expert Corner on home robot kits.

Chris Chianelli talks to Buzz and Brian about how the teams are progressing so far in the construction phase. Union runs into wiring problems as building continues. Rochester gets the electronics assembles and Union fits their pneumatics.

Union is able to test their grabbing arm and it functions perfectly. Adam takes advantage of the test-run to get in a lot of practicing. Rochester tests with disappointing results and must add another motor to the front of their robot to sweep the vegetables in their basket. The Rochester team is not able to test before time runs out.

The Competition

Chris recaps the day of building and reviews the rules of the competition. Union wins the five-second head start and never looks back. Rochester's additional motor does little to solve their problems and, although they are able to successfully collect some vegetables, it's not enough to compete with Union. Union wins and advances to the final round of the tournament.

The Winners: Union College

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Build Your Own Robot!
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Robots, Androids and Animatrons : 12 Incredible Projects You Can Build
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Personal Robotics : Real Robots to Construct, Program, and Explore the World
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Mobile Robots : Inspiration to Implementation
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Sensors for Mobile Robots : Theory and Application
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