Minibot Standardization (FRC 2011: Logomotion)

[Radical Pi]

Originally Posted by EricH

#2 is the simplest. The drawbridge or a platform device is simple: move ramp/robot to either the base or the pole and let it do its thing. Telling it when to go could be as simple as a bar across the end that when released turns the minibot on or lets it go.

Probably the best way to even be unintentionally compatible with most minibots would be to have a 12x12x12 (or a little more for comfort. Bots have feelings too) box with one side open that the minibot comes out of. On the closed sides of the box would be containment bars to keep the minibot from moving. The open side would have a gap in the bars that allows them to go around the pole. When launching the bot slides out of the box with the top open and climbs

Originally Posted by EricH

#1 is harder. NXT device, pure mechanical, non-NXT... Ideally, the start trigger is contained on the minibot and is "running" when the minibot is loaded onto the hostbot.

An internal limit switch that detects the pole would probably be enough, and would work with almost any design (triggers nxt program to start, closes circuit to a motor, etc)