Mobile Robotics

Robot Ramble

2004-2005 Rules

The objective of this event is to design and build a robot capable of performing certain tasks on a prescribed playing field. Each team may enter only one robot that must be built prior to the competition

  The robot may be constructed of any materials.

  The robot may be controlled remotely or with a control panel that has wires leading to

    the robot.

  At the start of the competition there is a size restriction on the robot. The robot must be

   able to fit into a cube that is 30 cm x 30 cm x 30 cm, with the exception of wires that

   connect to the control box.

  The robot circuits must be energized by one or more commercial batteries with a voltage

    not to exceed 9 volts.  Each robot function (such as drive train, arm, etc.) may have

    its own independent circuit, source of energy, and control mechanism.

  If the robot is "radio controlled", it may be controlled by more than one transmitter. 

    Each transmitter must be energized by one or more commercial batteries with a total

    voltage not to exceed 9 volts.

  The playing field for the robot shall be a piece of carpet approximately 4 feet by 8 feet.

  The playing field will be further divided into two zones by a line running through the

    center of the rectangle, making each zone 4 feet by 4 feet. One zone will be

    Zone A; the other zone will be Zone B.

  In the approximate center of the Zone A, there will be an equilateral triangle. Each side

    of the triangle will be 30 centimeters in length with the side nearest the centerline

    being parallel to the centerline of the playing field.

  The playing field will be marked on the floor.

  Prior to the competition, all remotes will be kept by the evaluator (Lego Mod).

    Only the team currently participating will have a remote.

  At the start of the competition, the event supervisor will place in Zone A  the

    following objects: 4ping pong balls (approximate diameter 38mm), 3 35 mm film

    canisters without lids, and a cardboard cylinder (empty toilet tissue roll tubes)

    approximate size 39-42 mm diameter x 115mm length.

  The film canisters (open side up) will be placed on each end of the cylinder.

  Four ping-pong balls will be placed inside the cardboard tube.

  A film canister with a golf ball on top will be placed at the vertex of the triangle

    opposite the cardboard cylinder.

  The robot will be placed inside of the playing field at the center of the end boundary

    line of the Zone B.

  A box with inside dimensions of 30 cm x 30 cm x 30 cm will be placed outside the

    playing field at the center of the end boundary line of Zone B.

  During the 5 minute competition, the robot must pick up the items that are in Zone A

    and place them in the box.  It may pick up the items individually or collectively. At

    the end of two minutes, points will be awarded based on the number and type of

    items that were placed in the bucket.

  If a scorable item (ping pong ball, film canister, or cardboard cylinder) is moved from

    Zone A to Zone B by the control wires, it will become out of play and may not be

    used to attain any points.

  If a student touches or uses the wires or control box to physically move the robot

    or a scorable item, the competition ceases at that point and the score will be

    determined prior to the violation (touching the robot)

Scoring

  Any scorable item that leaves the playing field is out of play and may not be used

    to attain any points.

  A team will receive the following points for each item placed in the box:

    Ping pong ball = 9 points, maximum 54 points; Film canister = 5 points,

    maximum 15 points; Cardboard cylinder = 3 points, maximum 9 points

  For every scorable item removed from Zone A and placed in the box or in Zone B,

    the team will receive 1 point (maximum 12 points).

  At the end of the competition, if the robot (parts touching the ground) is completely

    in the playing field the team will receive 10 points. At the end of the competition

    the event supervisor will allow 10 seconds for the robot to "come to rest" with power

    off to determine if any parts are touching the ground outside of the playing field.

  The team with the most points will be the winner. In case of a tie, the team that

    completed the task the shortest length of time will receive the more favorable score.

  If teams have identical scores, the tie will be broken by massing the robot without

    the control system. The robot system with the least mass will receive the more

    favorable score (ranking).

Robots that fail to meet the qualifications described above (fitting into the 30 cm cube)

will be allowed to compete if they meet all other specifications; however, they will be ranked after all robots that meet material specifications and size requirements.

Maximum Scores