1519 - Video of "Speed Racer" in Autonomous
 

With our regional tournament, the Granite State Regional, starting tomorrow, we decided it was high time for us to post a video of our "Speed Racer" driving in autonomous (hybrid) mode.

The video is now available on the team's webpage at http://www.mechanicalmayhem.org or http://www.team1519.org

You can go directly to the page with the video on it at http://www.mechanicalmayhem.org/teamvideos.asp

Enjoy!

PS: Oh, and yes we know that "Speed Racer" didn't have bumpers or a flagpole on it when this was filmed -- don't worry, we've built those too and they'll be on the robot at GSR...

Re: 1519 - Video of "Speed Racer" in Autonomous
 

THAT'S FAST

What kind of speed is it 15 fps? Looks cool.

Re: 1519 - Video of "Speed Racer" in Autonomous
 

I posted this in another thread, but instead of thread jacking that one, it's probably better asked here:

Wowser, that's fast! You guys got any object avoidance plans/software? Or is it more of a "get as many lines as we can before getting into a spectacular collision with another robot" plan?

Re: 1519 - Video of "Speed Racer" in Autonomous
 

The robot's max speed is about 20 fps.

If you look on the video, at the front of the "lid", there are 3 ultrasonic sensors we are trying to use for obstacle avoidance. They are currently getting too many false positives, we're guessing, from the floor. We will try to improve it more tomorrow at GSR.:)

Re: 1519 - Video of "Speed Racer" in Autonomous
 

I made an autonomous rc car with obstacle avoidance using ultrasonic sensors.

Some of the false positives may be caused by vibration; I was getting a lot and I read it in a thread from 2006 here. I then mounted my ultrasonic sensors on foam to damped the vibration and they worked much better.

Re: 1519 - Video of "Speed Racer" in Autonomous
 

Sorry for my stupidity but you use a gyro to stabilize during the turns right? Our team has never used one and looking at your video it seems like a good idea to have one...

Re: 1519 - Video of "Speed Racer" in Autonomous
 

All I got to say is, it may not be the fastest bot at GSR, nor the only one with a SONAR collision avoidance system :D

Best of luck guys, we'll see you at GSR.

BTW, very nice 'bot.

Re: 1519 - Video of "Speed Racer" in Autonomous
 

whats does gently bumping to ask a robot to move sound like?

'Crash'?

hahaha. Good work. thats nuts!

Re: 1519 - Video of "Speed Racer" in Autonomous
 

Are you still trying to make that and your other robot weigh less than 120 lb together? If so, are you planning to switch out RC's or something?

Looks good though.

Re: 1519 - Video of "Speed Racer" in Autonomous
 

Yes, both robot configurations are still under 120lbs together. They both accept exactly the same electronics board. The only other things that need to be swapped are the flag holder and the IR board.:)

Re: 1519 - Video of "Speed Racer" in Autonomous
 

Cool. How does the bumper rules apply for you? And how are you going to go to inspection, with one on top of the other?

I really like this idea.

Re: 1519 - Video of "Speed Racer" in Autonomous
 

Apart from one shared bumper, we have separate sets for each robot configuration. Together, they weigh just under 15lbs.

For inspection, the speed-racer configuration would fit inside the hurdling configuration if necessary.

Re: 1519 - Video of "Speed Racer" in Autonomous
 

Let me make sure I got this right. You have two configurations of the robot, one a hurdler other a speed racer and you put on the field which one is needed most?

Did you really go across 9 lines in 15 seconds, wow 45 points?

Very creative.

Re: 1519 - Video of "Speed Racer" in Autonomous
 

Yes, you got it right.

Yes we cross 9 lines.
9 lines x 4 points = 36 points (not 45)

Re: 1519 - Video of "Speed Racer" in Autonomous
 

I don't think that's required. <R12> requires that all configurations combined meet the 120 lb. limit, but doesn't say that they must all simultaneously meet the size requirements. Of course, this is an issue that FIRST hasn't dealt with very much, so I would put it within the judgment of the referees.

Re: 1519 - Video of "Speed Racer" in Autonomous
 

And that's why we do the math. :)

Re: 1519 - Video of "Speed Racer" in Autonomous
 

By God that's fast! Is it using Ackerman steering?

Re: 1519 - Video of "Speed Racer" in Autonomous
 

Oops on the 5 points vrs 4. Either way very creative. We count on hitting one ball and then crossing enough lines to get 28 points. If you can get 16-36 points you will put the other team in such a defensive mode it will work greatly to your advantage.

Re: 1519 - Video of "Speed Racer" in Autonomous
 

Yes. There's a photo and some discussion here, where it's a little easier to see what's going on:
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/30299

Re: 1519 - Video of "Speed Racer" in Autonomous
 

Here's a video of 330's "Speed Racer". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awrqs5lGOPs

I'm very impressed that 1519 can basically keep up with an RC car.

Re: 1519 - Video of "Speed Racer" in Autonomous
 

Did you guys ever get to use Speed Racer in Manchester? I only saw you field your larger robot.

Re: 1519 - Video of "Speed Racer" in Autonomous
 

They did during practice matches. It was quite the speedster, but still had trouble getting through small holes and clogs on the field. They did have an amazing 6 line hybrid run that was very VERY imrpessive

Re: 1519 - Video of "Speed Racer" in Autonomous
 

Yes, we did run the Speed Racer in 2 practice matches on Thursday. The idea was that both robot configurations could be fielded in separate matches, just not at the same time. When we got there, the head inspector sent a quick email off to the GDC, which came back negative. They basically said, "If it looks like two robots, it is two robots." We had prepared a booklet for the judges describing the two-robot-configuration. We sent that off as an email to the Q&A system about thursday lunchtime, in case the decision had been made without enough information. We have not yet received a response.

We then proceeded to focus on the other configuration, the hurdler, named "Fezzik". It was very successful, definately being one of the best 'bots there. Along with 126 and 1307, we managed to take the 1st-seeded alliance of 121, 40, and 134 to 4-match semifinal.

In the two matches that Speed Racer played in, the crowd loved it. It did indeed make a 6-line autonomous run. It was managing the make 7-second laps when the corners weren't too crowded. Unfortunately, our robot has the kinetic energy of a 350-pound linebacker running at full speed(1/2mv^2). This was too much for the poor front frame brackets. They broke once in autonomous, and again during the teleoperated period of another match. As a result, the entire front frame member came off, still attached to the front bumper. This made the steering motor the forward-most part of the robot. We avoided any collisions we could, stopping when a portion of the track became congested. We only got 8 laps per match. I think we could have got 12 or more if we didn't have to be careful.

It's so much fun to drive.:P

Re: 1519 - Video of "Speed Racer" in Autonomous
 

Sorry about the loss of your two robot capability. :(

Good job though staying positive and even succeeding! :D

Re: 1519 - Video of "Speed Racer" in Autonomous
 

Cool!

Can you tell us anything about your control algorithm?

Do you use encoders? Gyro? Accelerometer? etc.?

-q

Re: 1519 - Video of "Speed Racer" in Autonomous
 

We use a gyro for the turns in autonomous, and 3 magnetic encoders for the two drive axles and steering motor. I have no programming knowledge, apart from that it uses PID loops somewhere...

Re: 1519 - Video of "Speed Racer" in Autonomous
 

I just have to say that I loved the audio accompanying the autonomous video, very appropriate. And that bot is incredibly fast!:eek: