1519 - Video of "Speed Racer" in Autonomous

[GaryVoshol]

Originally Posted by Doug Leppard

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

Very creative.

Originally Posted by dbell

Yes, you got it right.

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

And that's why we do the math.

[AdamC]

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

[Doug Leppard]

Originally Posted by dbell

Yes, you got it right.

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

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.

[StevenB]

Originally Posted by AdamC

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

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

[Joe Ross]

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.

[ahecht]

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

[Nuttyman54]

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

[BenjyPoore]

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.

[Branden Ghena]

Sorry about the loss of your two robot capability.

Good job though staying positive and even succeeding!

[Qbranch]

Cool!

Can you tell us anything about your control algorithm?

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

-q

[BenjyPoore]

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...

[Dr Theta]

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