Robotics with the Boe-Bot text v2.2

Appendix H: Boe-Bot Navigation Contests · Page 335
Appendix H: Boe-Bot Navigation Contests
If you're planning a competition for autonomous robots, these rules are provided courtesy
of Seattle Robotics Society.
CONTEST#1: ROBOT FLOOR EXERCISE
Purpose
The floor exercise competition is intended to give robot inventors an opportunity to show
off their robots or other technical contraptions.
Rules
The rules for this competition are quite simple. A 10-foot-by-10-foot flat area is
identified, preferably with some physical boundary. Each contestant will be given a
maximum of five minutes in this area to show off what their robot can do. The robot's
contestant can talk through the various capabilities and features of the robot. As always,
any robot that could damage the area or pose a danger to the public will not be allowed.
Robots need not be autonomous, but it is encouraged. Judging will be determined by the
audience, either indicated by clapping (the loudest determined by the judge), or some
other voting mechanism.
CONTEST#2: LINE FOLLOWING
Objective
To build an autonomous robot that begins in Area "A" (at position "S"), travels to Area
"B" (completely via the line), then travels to the Area "C" (completely via the line), then
returns to the Area "A" (at position "F"). The robot that does this in the least amount of
time (including bonuses) wins. The robot must enter areas "B" and "C" to qualify. The
exact layout of the course will not be known until contest day, but it will have the three
areas previously described.
Skills Tested
The ability to recognize a navigational aid (the line) and use it to reach the goal.