[Robotgroup] Robot Challenge

[Clendon Gibson]

I don't know if this will work, but might make for interesting creations. 

Start with a minimally functional robot. The first competitor has to add something to it. The something should useful or cool to be judged by either the competitors at the end or a panel of judges. The second competitor has to take whatever the first competitor did and add to it. For an extra challenge, the second person cannot undo the previous persons change. (Although they can change it further.)

Why do this? Learners do not need to climb up the ladder to build a robot from scratch. It provides a way to practice reverse engineering and or hacking. (What exactly did the last guy do? How does it work? How do I not break it with my hack?)

The end result is a robot that could not exist without the combined effort of all the competitors. Discussions between competitors should be encouraged. After all the guys who get the robot later need to understand what the first person did. 

If you have enough people, make several robots and award the team with the most "interesting" robot the prize. This would further collaboration within the team. 

Steam pressure low. will stop blowing now.

----- Original Message ----
From: Gray Mack <gray_mack at yahoo.com>
To: The Robot Group Mailing List <robotgroup at puremagic.com>
Sent: Friday, January 4, 2008 2:29:43 PM
Subject: [Robotgroup] Robot Challenge


I am putting together an autonomous robot 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.

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 Parallax homework 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.

Please let me know if you are interested in this
challenge or if you have input into its goals.

-Gray


    
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