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Challenges

What's a Robot Challenge? A Robot Challenge is an individual robot competition.
There are six different challenges at the NM RoboRAVE International competition.

FOR ALL ROBOT CHALLENGES:

NO Remote controlled robots.
NO Wireless technology to maintain operation during heat; BUT starting the robot is ALLOWED.
NO Holding any track component to assist robot during the competition.

DETAILS

CHALLENGE
Walk-On

CHALLENGE
I

RCX
ENDS SPRING '09
CHALLENGE
I
NXT
CHALLENGE
II
UNIVERSITY
CHALLENGE
III
Open Class
CHALLENGE
IV
Fire Fighting
Purpose
Come and try out our robots; no cash, no awards - just have fun TRYING!
Deliver ping-pong payload to tower
Find & extinguish 4 lit candles without touching them
Total Robot Value Allowed LEGO NXT will be provided & ready to go
$400 including donated parts
$1000 including donated parts
Basic Materials

© LEGO MINDSTORM NXT KIT

© LEGO MINDSTORM RCX KIT (until Spring 2009)

© LEGO MINDSTORM NXT KIT

Any © LEGO MINDSTORM KIT
Plus NMTech, SIPI, or UNM robotic kit materials supported by that university.
REQUIRED: NM University decals to ID controller.

Open class - provided total value doesn’t exceed $1000 price limit. A parts list needs to be available if requested by event officials.
Additional Materials
Hot glue, plastic tie bands to attach components
Line Followed
1/2 inch printed line
1/4 inch printed line
1/2 inch black edge to mark play area

Drive Motors

Must be NXT Must be RCX Must be NXT
Whatever supports the controller chosen
Controllers 1 NXT 1 RCX 1 NXT 1  NM University supported
controller
ANY controller within total robot value of $1000
Delivery System
© LEGO pieces + other materials
Time/Match
3:00 minutes
Number of Matches
Up to two (2) runs
Guaranteed four (4)
Guaranteed Two (2)
Sensors, quantity
3
Unlimited
Sensors, types Light and Touch will be provided Any RCX type Any NXT type
Any type within total value ALLOWED
Batteries
Rechargeable recommended
Programming Mindstorm ROBOLAB, Mindstorm GUI, or C-code
Open (e.g., C, C++, Java, Interactive C)
Dimensions, max
12-inch x 12-inch base x 15-inch height when the ROBOT is in the OFF position

FOR ALL CHALLENGES

  • No remote control devices of any kind are allowed.

  • All robots will be measured to ensure compliance to size limitations.

  • A clear box with a 12-inch x 12-inch base x 15-inch height for size verification.

  • The robot may be either lowered into the box or have the box lowered over the machine to check its size.

WALK-ON CHALLENGE  

  • Material for the basic robot construction will be from © LEGO MINDSTORM NXT KITS.

  • All you have to do is get out of your seat and come try a robot – when a WALK-ON round is called during the day.

  • No cash awards; no teams; no hassle – WE WANT YOU TO GET INVOLVED!

RCX CHALLENGE ENDS SPRING ‘09

  • Material for the basic robot construction MUST BE from © LEGO MINDSTORM RCX KITS.

  • Drive motors must be © LEGO RCX motors.

  • ONLY ONE © LEGO RCX controller can be used.

  • Hot glue and/or plastics tie bands can be used to attach items such as the micro-controllers, sensors and battery packs to the body of the robot BUT NOT for use to hold the © LEGO bricks together.

  • The payload delivery system must include © LEGO bricks but is not limited to them.

  • The payload delivery system total cost must not exceed $20.00 in value.

  • Any © LEGO RCX sensors can be used as part of your design.

  • RCX CHALLENGE robots will follow a ½ inch printed black line.

NXT CHALLENGE 

  • Material for the basic robot construction WILL BE from © LEGO MINDSTORM NXT KITS.

  • Additional © LEGO building pieces may be used to supplement the NXT kits.

  • Drive motors must be © LEGO NXT motors.

  • ONLY ONE © LEGO NXT controller can be used.

  • Hot glue and/or plastics tie bands can be used to attach items such as the micro-controllers, sensors and battery packs to the body of the robot BUT NOT for use to hold the © LEGO or © LEGO NXT bricks together.

  • The payload delivery system must include © LEGO bricks but is not limited to them.

  • The payload delivery system total cost must not exceed $20.00 in value.

  • Any © LEGO NXT sensors can be used as part of your design.

  • NXT CHALLENGE robots will follow a ½ inch printed black line.

UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE

  • Controllers allowed can be ANY NM University microcontroller, such as NM Tech’s HC12, SIPI RoadRunner, or UNM’s Lobot, provided it is under price restrictions. (Total robot donated/purchased value - $1000)

  • NO © LEGO RCX & NXT controllers are allowed.

  • Building material for the basic robot construction must be © LEGO MINDSTORM NXT KIT.

  • Supplemental materials can be used from NM Tech’s, UNM’s or SIPI robot kits.

  • Hot glue and/or plastics tie bands can be used to attach items such as the micro-controllers, sensors and battery packs to the body of the robot BUT NOT for use to hold the © LEGO bricks together.

  • The payload delivery system can be constructed with © LEGO bricks and other materials.

  • Any touch sensors can be used as part of your design.

  • Any optical sensor must be used to track the line.

  • UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE robots will compete using a ¼ inch printed black line.

OPEN CLASS CHALLENGE

  • The challenge is an OPEN CLASS!

  • Overall Robot value (PURCHASED and DONATED) cannot exceed $1000.

  • Teams must provide a parts breakdown and cost list in their portfolio.

  • Total cost of the robot is calculated on the actual cost of parts whether donated or purchased.

  • Material for the basic robot construction can be of any material.

  • Drive motors may be of the team’s choosing.

  • Multiple controllers from any source are allowed.

  • Hot glue and/or plastics tie bands can be used to attach items such as the micro-controllers, sensors and battery packs to the body of the robot BUT NOT for structural integrity.

  • The delivery system may be of the team’s choosing.

  • Sensors can be any type deemed necessary.

  • OPEN CLASS CHALLENGE robots will compete using a ¼ inch printed black line.

FIRE FIGHTING CHALLENGE

  • Robots satisfying NXT, UNIVERSITY, or OPEN CLASS CHALLENGE criteria may compete in the FIRE FIGHTING CHALLENGE.

  • Overall Robot value (PURCHASED and DONATED) cannot exceed $1000.

  • Any type flame sensor can be used to locate the four burning candles.

  • No line following is required EXCEPT to determine the play area boundaries.

  • The robot will be PENALIZED for touching any candle during the play time.

  • Touching a candle will require a team player to dance a portion of MC Hammer’s “You Can’t Touch This”.

  • Touching all four candles will require a team players to wear MC Hammer Pants – UNTIL THE next RoboRAVE Int’l.