Registration Deadline

Team Registration for this Event is February 29, 2012 to allow time for the LEGO kits / software to be ordered.

Disciplines/Skills Recommended

• No special skills or knowledge required
• Some programming experience is helpful. 
• Familiarity with using the LEGO Mindstorms® NXT 2.0 (8547) robot kit and NXT software is necessary. This kit is readily available for ~$280. (i.e. Fry’s Electronics, Amazon.com)
• The NXT 8547 software will be provided on a CD in the kits for all participating teams to install on their laptops at the start of the event (7:30am) on April 9th. 

Event Description

Students will have 5 hours to build, program and test a mobile robot to maneuver autonomously through 2 table challenges. 

Table 1: “Line Following Frenzy”

Speed will rule the competition at this table.  Robots will follow a visibly-distinct red or blue line on a white surface. Each robot will be given 5 minutes.

Table 1 points are rewarded as follows:

Course length is divided into 8 equal sections. Points are given when the robot crosses into each new section. Points for each section are weighted to reward robots that advance farther into the course. (i.e. 5 points each of the first 5 sections… 10 points each middle section… 40 points each of last sections)

Completion time will determine each teams share of pooled 200 “Finisher Points”. Team earns ½ the points of the team ahead of them.  (Or twice the points of the team behind them) Points formula:

• 200 = x + 0.5x +…0.5^(n-1)x (n = # teams that complete course)
• 2 teams finish: 200 = x + 0.5x … 1^st = 133.3pts, 2^nd = 66.7pts
• 5 teams finish: 200 = x + 0.5x + 0.25x + 0.125x + 0.0625x

Table 2: "Time to Tame the Tasks"

Problem solving with the robot sensors/programs will reward teams at this table.  The robot will navigate a maze on a white surface. A combination of guide lines, straight-aways and trigger-lines will provide challenges for the robot. 3 trigger points alert the robot of a task it “may” select to attempt in a pre-determined relative location.

Brief description of the three tasks:

Task #1: Avnet Tech Game Flag Pole - Dual Lock Needed - Position the Avnet Tech Game Flag Pole model perfectly on its mark 10” to the right of the first trigger-line. Set position is with the wheel weight all the way down. Be sure the rubber belt runs only in the groove of the gray half-bush (tiny pulley). The belt must not be allowed to rub on the blue beams nor the tan cross-axle. The more friction there is in this model, the easier the mission seems - so be sure you’re practicing with a properly maintained model, because they’re likely to be correct at tournaments.

Task #2: AvnetExpress Component Dispenser - Dual Lock needed for the dispenser – Position this model perfectly on the mark 8” to the left of the second trigger-line. Set position is with the black panel all the way out, and with components arranged in columns. The components should be in columns of red, black, and white. The components do not need to be aligned as long as they all fit reliably on the shelf. Robot is tasked with dispensing 2 rows of packages (6 total). Partial points if 1 or 3 rows are dispensed.

Task #3: Carry the Prize Home – Hoop object with large white “trophy” body is positioned 90 degrees and 12” to the right of final trigger-line.  Use robot to secure the trophy, then return to the course and finish with additional points.

Table 2 points are rewarded as follows:

Length of Course is divided into 8 equal section. Points are given when the robot crosses into each section. Points for each section are weighted to reward robots that advance farther into the course. (i.e. 5 points each of the first 5 sections… 10 points each middle section… 40 points each of last sections)

Task Completion allows a team to separate themselves as Robot task masters! The points are award by task:

• Task #1:100pts if flag is raised. 25pts if flag is not raised but panel is pushed.
• Task #2:100pts if 2 rows of packages dispensed. 25pts if 1 or 3 rows are dispensed.
• Task #3:100pts if Trophy is carried to finish. 25 pts if trophy is moved from initial position.

Each team will be provided the following:

• One new LEGO Mindstorms® NXT 2.0 robot kit including Software CD
• Access to a laptop with Windows with the LEGO software installed, a CD-Rom Drive, and a USB Port
   

Student teams will each be provided a laptop to use during the competition.    Each team will be assigned to a table in the competition room where they will build their robot.  There is no imposed robot size limit.

Two identical practice tables for each challenge will be available for students to test if their navigation and task programs are working/progressing. 

The table courses will be designed to fit upon a 4ft- x 8ft-platform. The line-following paths will be comprised of flat matted painter’s tape (a different color than the objects involved in the tasks) on a shiny white board. All obstacles on the courses will be taller than the objects involved in the tasks.  They will be wooden, square or rectangular in shape, possibly with rounded corners, and will be secured to the board at several points along the taped path, breaking the continuity of the course.

NOTE: The path/obstacles in the courses will be modified before the final competition. Task trigger-lines, relative locations and order will remain the same.

Each robot can use the LEGO Mindstorms® NXT 2.0 sensors (touch, sound, light, ultrasonic) to identify things to retrieve, avoid, and follow.  While the sound sensor may be used in the design, Avnet makes no guarantee that the room will be quiet nor will it enforce a no-noise policy from the audience.  Using the blue tooth that comes with the kit will not be allowed. 

All programming, design, build and testing efforts will cease promptly at the end of the 5 hour build and program phase.  At this time, each team will compete one at a time by placing their robot at the starting line of the obstacle course.  The order in which teams will compete will be determined by a random drawing of the team names.  At “go!” students will press the “<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 />RUN” button of the NXT microcomputer to send their robot off to navigate the course.  Robots will have to complete the objective of the each table in the alloted 5 minutes.  Robots that become stuck/off-track can only be moved to restart the course, without stopping/reseting the allotted time.

The robot with the most points after completing both table events will be determined the winner. Any adjustments to the judging criteria must be clearly communicated/provided to each team by 7:30am on the day of the event.

Parameters

• All programs must be written during the allotted time using the LEGO Mindstorms® NXT 2.0 (8547) software provided.
• All aspects of the robot must be constructed only from the LEGO parts supplied.
• Teams may NOT bring any supplies, papers or prewritten programs.
• Teams may not access previously written code in any way, shape or form.
• No equipment can be used except for the equipment provided at the event.
• Students may not consult their professors or other non-team members during the event.  All questions must go to the gatekeeper who will then determine how best to address the question.
• Using the blue tooth that comes with the kit will not be allowed.
• A stop watch will start when the robot switch is turned on.
• Equipment needs

Students:

• Required to NOT bring anything to the event.
• At event conclusion, pack all components of the LEGO Mindstorms® NXT 2.0 kit, including software CD,back in the original box or container provided.
• At event conclusion, shut down lap tops and turn in to game owner

Avnet:

For each team, provide one new LEGO Mindstorms® NXT 2.0 Robot kit (10 kits plus 2 spare kits) that comes with numerous parts including:

• one touch sensor
• one sound sensor
• one light sensor
• one ultrasonic sensor
• three motors
• one NXT Brick microcomputer
• one CD containing NXT 8547 software
• two plastic balls
• 72 AA batteries to be distributed 6 per team.
• For each team, provide one laptop with Windows, a CD-Rom Drive, and a USB port.
• Two obstacle course platforms, each 4 ft x 8 ft x ¾ in. thick Melamine that can rest solidly upon a folding table. 
• Lay red or blue matted painter’s tape onto the board in a random route.
• Rim the perimeter of the surface with black duct tape to delineate the borderless edge
• Equip each course with combinations of 4-inx4-in wood planks all cut into approximately 10-in. lengths that can be nailed onto the red or blue matted tape as obstacles along the course
• Avnet logo to be placed in the center of the platform and the obstacle course.

Venue:

• 10 tables, one for each team to build their robots upon
• 4 folding tables, each at least 3ft x 6ft, to support obstacle course platforms.