Robot Challenge2008

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Intro: This is an autonomous robot challenge. You are welcome to try the course by radio control but it doesn't count as the grand goal of completing the challenge.

I want something different than line following or micro mouse or sumo, something more about individual/team learning than competition. This is mostly a programming challenge about navigation and environment sensing but you can build your own bot and sensors for mechanical and electrical challenges or buy components such as those provided by Parallax.

I want it to be affordable for most folks and to allow you to use things you already have or are learning. Under $30 does seem possible but having an easy to use controller like Basic Stamp board may make things easier. Ideally you can make your own arena at home for around $10 to practice with.

A tabletop size arena seems best for now and I can bring the arena to the meetings. This internal TRG challenge may be a precursor to a larger published fest if we want but I have now idea how hard or easy this thing will be so it may need adjusting or levels.

You need some sort of micro-controller (basic stamp will work) and a way to drive a few stepper/continuous rotation servos or some other type of locomotion, a few sensors of your choosing. You could do this all on a breadboard even and hot glue the motors and battery box on.

-Gray

Assumptions: Unless I get feedback soon about typical bots, I am going to make some assumptions in designing the challenge:

bot will fit within a 6in x 6in x 6in cube bot can enter and traverse a 6in wide x 6in high corridor without getting stuck. bot can go over up to 1/4" bump or ledge without catching wheel or sensors. bot can travel up/down 15degree incline plane bot can sense a black line boundary 1/2in to 3/4in of edge of falling off the Arena.

Details: What follows is a description of the components of the challenge:

Robot - The robot created by the Contestant which navigates the Arena in a Run Beacons - Devices created by the Contestant, placed near the Arena, which may aid the Robot in navigating the Arena Arena - The theater within which the Robot navigates to complete the challenge. Run - A timed event for the Robot to travel from the start location to the finish location. Contestant - An individual or team who have a Robot and wish to try the Challenge. Moderator - Someone who sets up and configures the Arena and times the Run of the robot. Goals - The main goal is for the Robot to autonomously navigate from the start location to the finish location. Secondary goals may be derived such as gathering food/trash items. These items are likely to be marbles, small craft pom-pon fuzz balls, or aluminum foil balls and carry them to the finish location.

Each of these items will be described here: