Line Following Rules
Objective:
An autonomous robot to follow a line-marked course and finish in the least amount of time.
Robot Description:
The robot must be autonomous and can be of any size or weight. The track will be constructed of 12-inch squares so you must size your robot accordingly to stay on the course. Any damage caused by the robot to the course will be a disqualification.
Track Description:
There will be two mirrored tracks. The tracks will be constructed out of approximately 12-inch squares cut out of light brown hardboard. The line will be ¾” black electrician's tape. Size of the line may vary + or – 1/8 inch due to stretching or shrinkage of the tape. There may be small gaps between squares. All contestants will have to deal with the normal lighting condition of any public locations. Such as fluorescent lights, sunlight, etc.
Race Rules:
Two robots will start each race. If there are an odd number of entrants, the last round will be run solo. Starting lineup will be set by the arrival of the entry form. Each robot will compete in 2 heats. The robots will exchange tracks for each heat. The winner will move on to the next 2 heat elimination rounds. The owner will start the robot when a signal is given. If the robot does not cross the Start line in 30 seconds, it will lose this race. An electronic timer for three laps will then time the robot. If the timer fails, the race will be rerun. Total time will determine the winner.
Scoring:
The official time is when the robot crosses the finish line after three laps. If robot falls off the course, his run is complete ande his score is based on the distance the bot traveled. If all wheels leave the 12" by 12" square track you are "off" course. The winning robot is the one with the lowest time of both heats. Any non-sportsmanship behavior will also cause a disqualification. Judges rulings are final. There is no appealing!
2012-02-09
Emily: RGB LED Halloween CostumeAdd yourself here!
2012-01-26
6:00-6:10 Robot help - ask questions about anything6:10-6:20 Introductions & group matters
6:20-6:30 Kevin - Zumo prototype and QuadBot
6:30-6:50 Kevin - I2C
6:50-7:00 Nathan - Quick intro to 3D scanning with Davidscanner (free version).
At ~7pm we will adjourn to a nearby bar or restaurant for general discussion.
2012-01-05
Neil and Michael: Navigation project with TReX JrEric and Mark: Big Traxx
Kevin: 5m LED strip synchronized with music
Ryan/Paul: General organizational discussion for LVBots
At ~8pm we will adjourn to a nearby bar or restaurant for general discussion.
2011-10-27
Show and tell: everyoneVintage electronics: Eric
Dual VNH5019 Motor Shield RyanTM
2011-10-13
David: New servo control library for the WixelNathan: Hackerspace Status Update
2011-09-29
Kyle S: Heathkit HERO jr. Robot from 1984, educational robot. it has a few problems.
Nathan: ST L6384E H-Bridge MOSFET driver troubleshooting.
David: AVR Studio 5 demo, featuring the Pololu USB AVR Programmer
RyanTM: New arduino shield
2011-09-15
2011-09-01
Dave: 2-way wireless communication with PICAXE using Wixels
Brian: RGB led strip demo
RyanTM: exciting new motor driver
Kevin: IMU board (gyro+compass+accelerometer) demo
2011-08-18
Paul G: reflectance sensor demo (requested by Paul I)
Dave/Paul/Kevin: Try to wirelessly program a PICAXE - should be much easier since they just use RX, TX, and GND.
2011-08-04
Paul I: Line follower
Dave: Request a demo of how to wirelessly connect a Parallax Sumobot with a serial interface to a computer using Wixels. I have the Sumobot and will purchase the Wixels.
2011-07-21
Paul I: HexapodDiscuss contest ideas.
Dave: Flea and Ant fighting robots (live demo), Boy Scout Electronics Merit Badge Kit (before and after assembly) and a FingerTech motor controller demo.
Andy H: DSO QUAD pocket oscilloscope
Kevin: Tank chassis sumo battle
Paul G: new shiftbrite LED modules
2011-07-07
David: Programming the ATmega2560 with ICSPRyanTM fun small-robot drive: link
2011-06-23
Kevin: more tracked chassis examples using new tracksNathan: Sailboat motor regeneration bench demo
2011-06-09
Kevin: 3d gyro
RyanTM: Wixel Shield for Arduino
David: Programming the Wixel on Linux and maybe a Mac
Someone: new current sensors
2011-05-26
Kevin: building a tank chassis with Tamiya plates and Pololu wheels & treads
Nathan: Regenerative Motor Control Demo (Untested!!)
2011-05-12
RyanTM: new Satellite LED modules (003, 004)
Ben: 25D gearmotors
Ben: tank treads and bolts
Ben: m3pi POV LEDs
Jan: USB microscope
2011-04-28
Kevin: Wixel i2c interface demos - wireless compass and barometer
RyanTM: m3pi (a board for mounting an mbed on a 3pi)
Mark: ?
2011-04-14
Kevin: Wixel wireless tilt mouse and joystick
Paul: new robot arm from Dagu, several new metal gearmotors
2011-03-31
David/Kevin/Paul: new Wixel apps
2011-03-17
David: Deskpet Robot Body from Shapeways
David/others: Wixel
2011-03-03
Paul: Scorbot-ER III robot arm (dropped off by Eric O)
Nathan: Even more regenerative electric motor stuff (batteries included).
2011-02-17
Nathan: Regenerative electric sailboat motor part IIKevin: wireless robot with Rover-5 tank chassis, wixel, and Arduino SVP
David/JanH: wixel bootloading software
RyanTM: AutoHotKey demo (easy way to control servos and other things with a keyboard or joystick)
RyanTM: CHR-UM6 Orientation Sensor
Fang/Paul: torque meter
2011-02-03
Nathan: Regenerative electric sailboat motorRyan: Wirelessly controlled 3pi Robot
Ben: 25mm-diameter encoder motors
2011-01-20
Kevin/Ryan: 3d compass / accelerometerDavid/Kevin: wireless serial port
Paul: absolute encoder
Travis: mbed-based robot ?
Kevin: wireless router robot
Henry: XMOS
2011-01-06
Ryan: barometric pressure sensorByon: removing email addresses
Byon: email requesting help with Sahara West Library robotics program (see Yahoo Group)
David & Kevin: wireless serial port demo
2010-12-16
Henry: XMOSHenry: Windows CE touchscreen computer
Aaron (visitor): demoing his REVO 1 robot
JanH: update on Pololu AVR library support for OSX
RyanM: Relative humidity sensor.
Byon: Minimal progress on the encoder bot chassis
2010-12-02
David: mbed robot racing videoRyan: Demo of computer cable for Agilent meters
Paul: Demo of Octobrite DEFILIPPI driving 24 LEDs
Jan H: Preview of support for Pololu AVR Programmer
Kevin: Demo of 20x4 Character LCD with LED backlight