Mobile Robotics

Robot Billiards

  Prior to the competition, the contestants will design and build a single robot capable

   of placing standard (2-1/4 inch) billiard balls into containers located at each corner of

   a square table.

  Robots and transmitter(s) must be impounded before the start of the competition

   and will be released one hour after the last team has competed unless there are

   appeals pending.

  Up to 2 students may compete.

  5 minutes total time.

  Construction

      Contestants may use generic commercial robot components, kits, or parts of kits,

         RC cars and similar items, but there must be some integration and/or functional modification by the

      contestants.

      Off-the-shelf robot kits specifically designed to accomplish the task are not allowed.

  Control

      The robot may be operated by any type of wired electronic (not mechanical)

         control, wireless remote control (e.g., radio control, infrared, visible light, ultrasonic,

         etc.) or onboard control system.

      If radio control is used, only unmodified, commercially available equipment operating

         on the 75 MHz or 27 MHz radio control bands or the lower power, 49 MHz, bands may

         be used. Use of these frequencies is at your own risk and you must accept any

         radio interference from others without redress.

      The 72 MHz band is restricted to model aircraft and may not be used.

  Power

      All energy used to power the robot must come from commercially available batteries

         in the robot or control panel.

      Any number of batteries may be used as long as they are not connected together

         to produce more than 9.6 volts between any two point s on the robot and/or control

         panel. The voltage stated on the  batteries, by the

         manufacturer, will be accepted.

      This limitation does not apply to radio control

         transmitters, which must use batteries specified by their

         manufacturer.

  Dimensions

      Immediately prior to starting its run, the robot (in its

         ready-to-start configuration), excluding transmitter(s)

         and/or control panel(s) and connecting wires, must fit

         into a 30 cm x 30 cm x 30 cm cube.

      Control wires must exit the cube at the table's surface.

      A sample cube shown on the right.

  General Configuration

      A diagram of the table is presented on the left below.

      A picture of the configuration of the balls is on the right below.

  Table

      The competition will take place on a flat, level table, approximately 1.2 m (4 ft)

         square, with no side rails.

      The top of the table will be not more than 50 cm above the floor.

      The table will be covered with a non-woven, non-directional, texture, marine

         backed carpet, less than 1/4 inch thick.

      A 30 cm square, centered on and adjacent to one side of the table will be marked

         on the carpet with permanent felt-tipped marker.

      Each corner of the table will be cut out at a radius between 5 and 6 cm, centered

      where the two adjacent sides intersect.

        The table will have some provision for leveling it.

  Pockets

      Coffee cans (approximately 16 cm tall and 15 cm in diameter) or similar containers to

         place the balls in, will be located at each corner of the table.

      The containers will be large enough to hold all 16 balls at one time.

      The top of the containers will be lower than the table's top surface.

      The cans may also be used to support the table. Additional support may be placed

        under the table as required.

  Cue Ball

      The cue ball is a "wild card".

      After the robot has completed its run, the contestants may designate it to be any

        one of the other 15 balls. This may result in two of the same balls earning points.

  Points

      One point for each ball placed in a pocket. (up to 4 points per pocket)

      One point for each pair of balls (solid color ball and its matching color striped ball) in

         a pocket - up to 2 points per pocket. The eight ball cannot earn points under this

         approach since there is not ball with a black stripe.

      One point if the pocket contains two or more striped balls.

      One point if the pocket contains two or more solid colored balls.

  Scores

      The team's score for the event will be the sum of the scores for all four pockets.

      Teams with higher scores will be ranked above those with lower scores.

  Ties

      Ties will be broken in favor or teams with shorter elapsed time.

      If ties still remain, the sum of the numbers on the balls in a pocket will be used

Upper left Pocket

    1 point for each of 4 balls = 4 points

    1 point for solid and striped green and 1 point for solid and striped red = 2 points

    1 point for two solid and 1 point for 2 striped = 2 points

        Total = 8 points

Upper Right and Lower Left Pockets: 8 points each as for the Upper Left Pocket

        Total for both = 16 points

Bottom Right Pocket

    1 point for each of 4 balls = 4 points

    1 point for solid and striped brown balls = 1 point

    1 point for two solid balls (brown and 8 ball) = 1 point

    1 point for two striped balls (let cue ball count as a striped ball) = 1 point

        Total = 7 points

Max Score = 24 + 7 = 31

Team:__________________________________  Total Time_____      Total Score____________

Highest Number for a Pocket (If Needed to Break Tie): Pocket:UL__ UR__ BL__ BR__ Number:_____

Notes:

  Pockets are arranged as viewed by the robot at the beginning of the contest, UL = upper left, etc.

  Balls placed in the pockets are indicated with a red X

 Cue Ball Counts As:_______________________________________