Mini Darpa Challenge

[Rick TYler]

Originally Posted by JamesBrown

There was an artricle about Robo Magellan in one of the free Servo magazines we got this year (Or maybe last year) It was about some one who won a competition he used a remote controlled truck kit

You are talking about Dave Shinsel and his robot "Seeker." Read more at http://www.shinsel.com/robots/. I spent a half-hour talking to him at the Seattle Robotics Society Robothon last fall. It was pure FIRST "whatever is cheap" construction. Dave used an off-the-shelf RC chassis with a custom-fabricated body and upgraded springs. For computers, he used a Pick processor (what we use in FIRST) and an old notebook computer onboard. The CMU camera had a lens from a cheap pair of polarized sunglasses taped over it to reduce UV saturation.

Dave was a really friendly guy (typical robonut) and I'm sure would answer any question you wanted to email him.

By the way, second place in the 2005 Robo-Magellan contest was won by Tom and Cathy Saxton, who are mentors for FRC team 1318, the Issaquah Robotics Society.

[irishninja]

Rocks, grass, ramps of wood, bumps, asphalt, concrete, maybe some metal parts. The bumpers would just be so you didn't turn around or anything, so you stay on track. I wouldn't restrict the number of times you could hit it, just the length of time you could be in contact with it. And, I would do my height weight rules based on people applying.

[KenWittlief]

Originally Posted by irishninja

I wouldn't restrict the number of times you could hit it, just the length of time you could be in contact with it...

interesting! otherwise, if you have a guard rail the whole lenght of the course all you need to do is follow the rail to the finish line.

[colin340]

I have talked with a programmer and he thinks that vex may not have the programmable power,

to get to point to point fast you need to have a set electronic point like a way-point. This is very hard with out a gps.

all and all I thing this may be a job for the frc interface it would be easy to use with a gps.

[KenWittlief]

I dont see any reason why other computers or CPU boards would not be allowed onboard the VEX machine? Im sure the vehicles in the DARPA challenge had some pretty serious computers onboard.

[Rich Wong]

Originally Posted by irishninja

This mostly applies for people in the NYC area, but I'm sure it will give others ideas. In the recent upswing of people who own VEX kits, and after PBS's NOVA show on the Grand Challenge I had an idea. It would be really fun to have a mini darpa challenge with vex/miniature robots. In NY, probably in Riverside or Central Park or something, but I'm sure it could happen around the country.

Great idea,
using the walk paths in Central Park and Battery Park would be a great challenge course. Probably with permission from the NYC Parks Department a sectioned off area would be given to this event.

Suggestions:
1. For the first year, keep it simple and run two weight classes- FRC and VEX.

2. Create black & white pattern marks along the route for the cameras or senors to detect and to maintain their direction.

3. set limits on size, weight and sensor type for each class of competition.

4. Get some really nice trophies with the team entry fees.

5. Create a team festival or picnic during the event (like a team post-regional social)

6. Lots of planning, logistics and volunteers will make this a fantistic post-season event.

[irishninja]

In answer to some questions.

It would not be limited to VEX parts, thats just a suggestion because they are easy to get and to use. If we did have lines i would space them out quite far because otherwise one could just use the line tracker kit from vex to do it. But i would put lines.

[Cuog]

Originally Posted by KenWittlief

Im sure the vehicles in the DARPA challenge had some pretty serious computers onboard.

oh just 4 brand new pentium 4's nothing big

If i were closer to NY i would certainly be in although if our team isnt closed minded i may host one here in VA

[Rob2713g]

Originally Posted by Cuog

If i were closer to NY i would certainly be in although if our team isnt closed minded i may host one here in VA

If you had one in VA, I'd deffinetly want to participate, and I'm sure I could find some people to help.

[Rick TYler]

Originally Posted by KenWittlief

I dont see any reason why other computers or CPU boards would not be allowed onboard the VEX machine? Im sure the vehicles in the DARPA challenge had some pretty serious computers onboard.

The "Gray Team" from Louisiana was considered a low-bucks shoestring operation in the DARPA challenge and spent something like $650,000. None of the DARPA challengers were computing-limited. There are only a couple of FIRST teams that spent that much on their robot.