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Robot Tour
Event Description:
Type: Test + Build Event
Topic: Life Sciences
Team: Three Individuals
This event requires competitors to construct a programmable robot to follow a path to a certain target in a set amount of time. Competitors must bring in a practice log, the programming unit, and any other necessary parts. The device may be powered by no more than 8 AA batteries. In the past, a small ¼” round wooden dowel has been used as the robot’s measurement point. All specifications on where the dowel must be placed can be accessed in the wiki and the upcoming rules manual. Also, the robot’s ready-to-run configuration has been limited to a 30 cm x 30 cm box with any height. No loose pieces or parts are allowed on the robot, and no parts may fall off the device at any time during the run which will result as a penalty. Competitors may also be asked questions about the design, construction, and operation of their device. The practice log must contain a variety of pieces of info from run time, target, distance from target and gates in at least 10 runs, and at least 1 robot parameter (path taken, gates, etc). The starting point, target point, target time, and number of gates to pass will be stated after the impound period by the event supervisor. In past years, the target time has been 30 to 60 seconds, and the competitors will be given 12 minutes to complete the run. Once the run has started, competitors will not be allowed outside assistance of any kind, but are free to make programming and physical changes to obtain maximum points as long as event parameters are still met prior to each run. (If the programming is a USB connected to a laptop, the participants can only access the impounded program file.) Additionally, the team may not use the AC outlet during their session. Teams are also only allowed 2 successful runs or 3 failed ones. A failed run occurs when the team requests the run to be recorded as failed or if the robot is removed from the track, or goes off of the track, during the run. Another example of a failed run is if the robot activates before the event supervisor is ready and if the participants pick the robot up before the measurements are concluded. Participants may not alter the track in any way apart from cleaning it. The competitors will be supplied with number #2 pencil to trigger the robot, and may not touch the robot in any way to trigger it or while the run is happening. In order for a run to end, the robot must come to a complete stop for 3 seconds. In the past, gate bonuses have been given to teams which robot crosses the gates as long as the robot measurement point is the first part of the robot to cross it. Luckily, a robot which does not activate when the trigger is activated will not count for a run and the team may conduct another one. In previous years, the track has consisted of 4 large circles with a diameter of 50 cm connected by 2 tangent, overlapping points. There are also gates that are halfway in between 2 intersection points but not the starting point. There are other parts of the track such as track lines that can be specified if looked up in rules or wiki. For scoring, the time score is calculated by 90 - (Target time- run time)*2 if the run time is less than the target time, and 90 - (Run time - target time) if the run time is over the target time. The distance score is calculated by robot distance x -0.5. The robot distance is the point-to-point distance from the measurement point to the target point in cm. The gate bonuses are +15 points for every gate crossed. The final score is the time score + distance score + gate bonuses + penalties (Penalty info can be found in detail on the rules manual or the wiki). Highest score wins.