Second
Annual Robotics Challenge
Morris
County Competition Manual
Thursday, May 8, 2003 Event*
Students
from Grades 5 to 8
(Last Update: 01/14/03
ehb)
·
The
Challenge
Pulling
Follow the Curve
Tie-Breaking
·
The
Course
Rules
Safety
Scoring
Special Advisories
·
Robotic
Kit, Parts & Supplies
·
Schedule
·
Awards
·
Additional
Resources
Version 2.1
* Alternate emergency date Friday, May 9, 2003
The Challenge
The
Morris County Robotics Challenge requires that a participating school design
and build a single robot from the parts found in only one Lego or Pitsco
Mindstorm kit. The only exception to this will be the software. Teams will have
the option (and also take on the responsibility and risk) to use any software
package to program the RCX unit. The robot will compete in two different
events.
The
only additional pieces required by each student team beyond what is found in
the kit will be, 1) A few rubber bands, 2) weights (5, 10, 20 pounds), and 3)
The 3” school sign/attachment for the robot.
The
events are, 1) Pulling and 2) Follow the Curve.
Each event will consist of three heats.
During
a heat on either event, if the robot goes off course during the first 6 inches
the team will not be disqualified and will be
given another chance to make the run.
Teams
are limited to 3-6 students. There will be a maximum of 30 teams competing
during the day of the event. Special exemptions to this rule might be made
including non-competitive demonstration events.
The score of each team for each event will be totaled to determine the winner. In the event of a tie, the tied teams will rerun both events and the team with the best total score for all heats including the run-off will be declared the winner.
Pulling
The pulling competition is designed to test the pulling strength of each robot. Each team will have three opportunities to have its robot pull a weight down a 36-inch long course.
A program
and light sensor must be used by the robot for this event. Just turning on
the robot and letting it travel straight ahead is not permitted. The program
must help the robot negotiate the white area between the end of the straight
black line it must initially follow and the end of the course. The robot must
follow an imaginary continuation of the straight, black line to reach to end of
the course.
The student teams must build both the robot and the trailer to hold their weights (potentially up to 20+ pounds). The weight of the trailer is not considered part of the total weight. Students should optimize the design of their weight trailer so that it is strong and light weight, yet easy to roll.
Students must also design a hitch/drawbar that can securely pull the trailer and stay on the full length of the course for multiple heats.
Rubber bands (in reasonable number) can be used to keep the weight secure on the trailer and the robot together. Rubber bands CAN NOT be used to keep the hitch/drawbar together or connect the robot to the trailer. Glue CAN NOT be used.
The robot, trailer and the hitch/drawbar that connects them, MUST BE built from the parts in ONE Lego or Pitsco Mindstorm kit.
Points are calculated as follows: Take
the total distance traveled in inches. The measurement is made from the 0” point to the centerline of
the trailer wheels/tires. If the robot travels off the
line and the centerline of the robot reaches either of the dashed lines
(after the first 6 inches), the team will receive points for that heat based on
the distance traveled and time before crossing the dashed line.
A “full pull” is made when the robot and its weight
trailer travels the full 36 inch course while the centerline of the robot stays
between the dashed lines. Special Note: The robot will be traveling for a
short period of time without a guideline!
If the robot makes a “full pull” during the first or
second round, 5 more pounds will be added.
If the robot can once again make a “full pull” the team will be awarded points for a second heat.
If this occurs during the second heat, 10 more
pounds will be added and the team will be awarded
points for the third heat.
The maximum time allotted to each team, for each heat, shall be 5 minutes from the time the robot is placed on the pulling course. Teams unable to pull the weight any distance within the allotted 5 minutes will not receive any points for that heat.
Team members are not allowed to assist the robot during this event. Any team that assists their robot will not receive any points for that heat.
Follow the Curve
The follow-the-curve
competition is designed to test the robot’s ability follow a curve and stay
between the two inner/outer dashed lines around the course. If the centerline of the robot passes through either dashed
line, its’ team will only be awarded points for the distance and time traveled
up to the intersection of the dashed line.
Points will be earned based upon the total distance
traveled within 5 minutes. A robot that can travel the full 96-inch long course
within this time will earn 96 points. Each
team will have three opportunities to earn points.
Each heat will last 5 minutes. During the event team
members are not allowed to touch the robot. The centerline of the robot must
stay on the solid curve line between the two
dashed lines during the heat.
Teams will have three opportunities to travel the
course and the best time and distance all three heats will be used to calculate
the teams point score.
Tie-Breaking
If a tie exists for first, second or third place for
the overall Competition Championship the teams involved in the tie will rerun
the two courses.
Each team involved in the tie will have one
opportunity to run each course and the team with the best total score will be
declared the winner of the tie.
The
Course
The Pulling and Follow the Line courses can be found
on one “E Size” 36”x48” drawing as shown in reduced copy below. Copies will be
made available to participating schools and are also available online at http://www.fes-nj.com/Lego/
Rules
1.
All
participants must behave in a sportsman-like
manner.
2.
The
order of play will be randomly determined prior to the start of each event.
3.
Robots
built with unauthorized materials will be disqualified until the unauthorized
materials are removed.
4.
Robots
CAN NOT be built using glue. Rubber bands can
be used (within reason) to keep the robot together.
5.
Robots
that are made from parts other than those contained
in one Mindstorms will be disqualified until they meet this requirement. The only exception shall be
the programming software as previously noted.
6.
Prior
to the start of a team’s first heat a disqualified robot may be modified to
qualify and meet specifications.
7.
Robots
may not be modified after inspection and weigh in.
8.
Broken
parts may be repaired with new identical replacement parts.
9.
Teams
will be given 5 minutes to set up for an event. If a team is not ready to
compete within the 5-minute time period they will not receive any points for
that heat.
10.
A team’s highest score for each event will be added together to determine the
Competition Champion.
11.
Any
controversies derived from the rules or actual competition will be resolved by
the Competition Judge. The Judge’s decision is final.
12.
Robot
malfunctions or operator error will not be grounds for additional heats.
13.
A robot will be disqualified from a heat if it contaminates the playing field.
14.
The
use of cellular phones and two-way radios will be prohibited during the
competition. Violators will be asked to leave the gym.
15.
A
robot that is designed to intentionally cause damage to any part of any playing
surface will be disqualified from the competition.
Safety
1.
During
construction, testing and competition please emphasize that safety comes first.
2.
Check
all electrical wiring prior to connecting the motors and testing the robot.
3.
Test
controls in an open area or with the robot propped up such that the wheels or
drive mechanisms are not in contact with any surfaces.
4.
Do
not chase team members with the robot.
5.
Robots that do not appear to be stable or suitably
constructed will not be allowed to compete.
Scoring
Teams will have three opportunities/heats, to get
the best score possible for any given event.
All teams will have competed in the first heat of a given event prior to any team starting their second heat. All teams will have competed in the second heat of a given event prior to any team starting their third heat.
Example:
Team Event Distance Points
Team “A” Pull 1 36” 36
Pull 2 36” 36
Pull 3 10” 10
Total
Points 82
Follow
the Curve 1 50” 50
Follow
the Curve 2 60” 60
Follow
the Curve 3 25” 25
Total
Points 135
Competition
Total 217
Each team will also be judged on their overall
project as part of the award program.
Special Advisories
1. Teams are advised that light levels in the competition area may be different from those encountered during their testing and development work at their school. Teams should test their “line following” capabilities before the start of the event to prevent any unexpected results and make any last minute changes.
2. Teams are advised to place a fresh “fully charged” set of batteries in their robot for the day of the event. Having a backup set available is also advisable.
3. Teams should bring or make arrangements for laptop computers with the Lego Mindstorm software (or alternate software package), and IR unit/cable and copies of their programs for each event (with backups) to make any last minute changes or fine-tuning before the event. Teams are advised to test this equipment for proper operation with their programs and robot before the event.
Robotic
Kits, Parts & Supplies
1.
The
robot must be built using only the parts provided in one Lego or Pistco
Mindstorm kit (except software).
2.
Read
the entire manual and check all parts prior to starting the robot design.
3.
Each
robot must display their team’s school name in 3-inch high letters on a clearly
visible part of the robot. Also clearly indicate the centerline of your robot.
4.
No
tape may be used for robot construction.
5. The weight pulling connection must be located in the center of the robot on the rear edge. Mount the connection securely. A pulling connection failure is considered a mechanical failure and is not grounds for additional heats.
Schedule
Kits Available To
be determined
School/Team Meeting To
be determined
Competition May 8, 2003
May 9, 2003
(emergency date)
Awards
The competing teams can earn the following awards.
· Morris County Robotic Competition - Meritorious
· Morris County Robotic Competition - Achievement
· Morris County Robotic Competition - Honorable Mention
All students will receive a Certificate of Participation
Additional Resources
Additional online resources and updates can be found at the following website.
