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WSU 2004 LEGO MINDSTORMS Challenge:
Robo Olympics |
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Last
Updated:
Friday January 14, 2005 |
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2004 MISSION FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
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Please check this
site frequently. Any notifications and/or clarifications for the
2004 Missions will be posted
here as soon as they become available.
If you have
questions that are not answered here, please contact:
Larry Whitman, Assistant Professor
College of Engineering
mindstorms@wichita.edu
(316) 978-5907
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AIAA -
Olympic Torch Relay Questions
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APICS - The Robo-Slalom
Course
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EC -
Totally Tubular Triathlon
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IIE - Heavy Medal
Questions
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SWE - Starry Night
Questions
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General Questions
AIAA -
Olympic Torch Relay
NEW Drawings posted.
Measurements are all the same. Zones are labeled on the top
view.
Q: Where did you find a think piece of foam for
the mountain?
A: Its not a thick foam, it is just 3 layers
cut with the same shape and glued together.
Q: What happens if you leave the course?
A: We will allow a 1 inch tolerance on each
side if you go out of the course. If it is more than one inch
then you will loose the points for that section.
Q: Can we use a rubber band to hold the torch?
A: You can use anything that is in the Lego
Mindstorms kit. There are LEGO rubber bands in the kit.
Q: Can you pick up, drop off, or put the robot
back on track?
A: No, once you press RUN, you are not allowed
to touch the robot.
Q: What kind of tape is used on the middle of
the track and where can I get it?
A: We used half-inch wide aluminum tape that we
got from Grainer Supply Company but found the shiny reflective
surface of the tape proved to be difficult to use with the
light sensor. We are changing the tape to 1" masking tape.
This should be much easier for the light sensor to read values
against the black base.
Q: What is the exact shape of the torch?
A: The torch is exactly as described on the
website. It is a piece of foam that measures 2”x 2” x 3”
(inches) where all corners are at 90 degrees from each other.
Q.
Will the
Olympic Torch Relay also have electrical tape along the
course?
A: We
will place electrical tape along the course
Q. From the
pictures it appears that the gravel pits contain blue
gravel. What
color is the gravel in the 3 pits?
A: We
had regular gravel and used the same acrylic paint on the
ocean and painted the gravel. We placed the gravel inside
a plastic bag, and poured some paint in it so it
would color it all.
Q. Is there
anything to identify the end of the course?
A: Just the end of the course, once you reach the end
the robot should stop and drop the torch
Q. Does the
torch have to be put in a particular place at the end or
just dropped?
A:
just dropped
Q. What is the brown
land made from? Is it painted on? Is the blue for the ocean just
the blue side of the foam board?
A. Both the land and the ocean
are painted on top of the foam board with acrylic paint. It is
just for looks, it doesn't serve any purpose for the course it
self.
Q. Is the Olympic torch white or
if not, what color is it?
A. The torch is painted with the
same brown that the land is, and a bit of red on the tip.
Q. What is used to make the shape
of the mountain?
A. The mountain is made out of
the same foam as the board. We used hot wire to cut the foam.
Q. I am wondering if I got the
wrong sort of kitchen grip. The grip I have is flexible rubbery
stuff used for lining drawers.
A. That's the right one.
APICS - The Robo-Slalom Course
NEW
drawings and photos posted 2/20
Q. Will there be any change in
the layout of the model on the final day?
A. There will not be any major
changes in the model. The gaps between boards will be made
smaller and more level.
Q. If on the slope they go
straight passing from pole one and three without passing around
the pole two then will they get the points for the pole three?
A. They will not get the credit
for the third pole.
Question: Can they use two motors
for the robot? One for moving and one for grabbing the ring.
A. Per the general rules, they
can use the components which are provided with one lego kit
(and include an additional motor for a total of three motors).
Q. Will there be a hook?
A. It does have a hook bent
into it.
Q.
About the
"hook": Does the ring need to be lifted off the hook? How tall
is the hook? Which direction is the hook facing? What are the
exact dimensions of the hook?
A.
The hook is rather small which
makes it easy to “lift” the ring. It is more of pushing the
ring rather than lifting it (or sliding the ring towards the
end of the wire).
The dimensions of the hook are as follow:
1 ½ inches (not including hook)
The hook is facing to the left side (the starting point as a reference point)
Q.
Where is the
hook at the finish line? I don't see one in the picture?
A. The hook at the finish line was not in its place when the picture was taken. It has the
same dimensions as the hook in the center part.
Q. What is the blue line that appears in the photos of the course made out of? Why was it not put in the
blueprint or materials list?
A. The blue print is a guide line. It is painted with blue tempera color that the organization had left
from a previous project. The colors were not bought for this project therefore they were not added to the material list.
Q. What is the material that appears at the side of the course made from? Why was it not put in the blueprint
or materials list? How much surface area does this material take up? It appears to me that it takes up a good
deal of usable surface for the robots to maneuver.
This need to be shown in The specs!
A. The material at the side is paper. It was not put in the blueprint or the material list because it is for
decorative purposes only. We took your comment/concern into consideration and reduced the area the paper
(which simulate mountains) covers to 2’’ from the edge of the board.
EC - Totally
Tubular Triathlon
Clarifications
from Questions During Trial Day:
- A ramp or
bridge may be placed on or over the hurdle.
- Ramp or
bridge must be made entirely of LEGOs. No adhesives are
allowed.
- This ramp
or bridge will be considered part of the robot, thus the
same rules governing the robot contacting the hurdle will
apply to the ramp or bridge.
- If parts
fall off of the robot, ramp, or bridge and contact the
hurdle, this counts as the robot touching and a maximum of
250 points will be awarded for the hurdle.
- A bridge
may touch the “ground” on either or both sides of the
hurdle.
- The robot
must begin the mission at ground level.
- If, during
any phase of the mission, pieces fall off of the robot, they
may not be reattached during that run.
- The only
pieces that may be added during the mission are the pieces
required to add the discus apparatus when the robot is at the
T.
- Pieces may
be removed to accommodate the discus apparatus at the same
time.
- Pieces
from the bridge or ramp may be used in the discus apparatus
if they can be assimilated in a timely manner.
- If the robot
should become incapacitated after the hurdle, it may be placed
at the T and continue the run, forfeiting sprint points.
- Only the
discus apparatus is allowed to be attached at that point.
- Concerning
the discus event, teams may use whatever means necessary
(short of driving to the target) to place the disc on the
target.
- Throwing,
rolling, and sliding are all legal means.
- During the
launching process, the robot may not move from its position
at the T, however, the robot may spin in that one place.
- Tolerance
on movement will be allowed for reactions on robot due to
device movement.
- As long as
the RCX does not change position (with allowable tolerance),
any means necessary to place disc on target may be used.
This includes telescoping extensions.
- Any team
able to teleport (dematerialize and rematerialize) disc from
T to Bull’s-eye or project a hologram of disc on Bull’s-eye
will receive 1000 points for the course.
- Concerning
the discus device:
- Any discus
device added to robot must not extend more than halfway from
the T to the edge of the target when placed on robot.
- The disc
may be preloaded in apparatus.
- The
apparatus may be precharged.
- Release of
the disc must be done autonomously.
- L-brackets
were used on corners for stability.
Q.
On the totally tubular course, the upright backdrop, is it
secured in anyway other than by a person as shown on the
screen?
A.
Yes,
we will use clear packaging tape to secure it to the pieces of
wood.
Q. Can students touch (ie.. to set a different program) after
it 'jumps' the edge to run the line follower program and
again before resetting arm and running that program?
A. Student Engineering Team Response: Our thoughts were that
it would not be overly difficult to program the jump sequence
and line-follower together, so we are not allowing touching of
the robot between the jump and the hurdle.
However, we would allow a change of program during the time
the discus apparatus is attached to the robot (after the bot
reaches the "T" autonomously but before throwing the discus).
During this time the designated participant is allowed to
handle the robot in the manner described in the rules, and
since a piece is potentially being added, and the robot is
potentially re-oriented, a change of program is logical there.
Q. Can students build a ramp to have the robot run up and
jump if the ramp doesn't touch the ledge?
A. As long as the ramp or bridge is made entirely of LEGO
and uses only those LEGOs contained in the kit, it is
permitted.
Q. Totally Tubular: It
says it is built from 4 22x28 posterboards, yet the course
measures 8'x3'. This doesn't add up. (Area of 4 posterboards
is just 2464 sq.in. but course would have to be 3456 sq. in.)
Am I missing something here?
A. The floor requires 8
posterboards @ 22x28. The backboard can be built with 3
posterboards @ 22x28. Total of 11 22x28 posterboards required.
We used clear packaging tape to tape both the floor and the
backboard together.
IIE - Heavy Medal
Q. Can the platforms be held by someone to keep
them from being pushed over by the robots?
A. No, 100 points will be deducted if
the platforms or people are knocked over.
Q. Is it true that each team gets only one
practice run on the day of the competition?
A. Yes, as stated in the rules.
Q. Will the courses change between the practice
day and the competition day?
A. No
Q. Does moving branches call for deductions?
A. No
Q. What constitutes knocking down a tree?
A. The trees that are stuck in the
ground must be uprooted and horizontal to count as deductions.
The trees that are glued to the ground will count as deductions
if they are tipped over.
Q. Can the computer be hand held?
A. No, no part of the robot can be
touched during the competition.
Q. Can the robot be as long as the track?
A. Yes, if all rules are followed.
Q. What are the dimensions of the
flat area at the top of the course (where the platforms lie)?
A. The platform is 12.25
x 4.5
the "stands" are 2"
square and are: from the left edge
first stand 1" from edge
and is 2.25" high
second 5.25" high
third 3" high
Q. The IIE course says that the
materials used, "Toothpicks (to hold together)" What do the
toothpicks hold together?
A. The Styrofoam was cut in
sections so that we could build up the ramp- the toothpicks hold
those sections together, along with some craft glue.
Q. What is the medal and where
can we purchase something? Do we just approximate the medal?
A.
Answer from
team: "Approximating is good. The medallion is from a basketball
camp I went to in middle school. It weighs several ounces, is
flat on the bottom (1/8" thick), and is 2" DIA.
*Clarification:
The postal scale weighed the medallion to be right at 1
ounce.
SWE: Starry Night
NEW Drawings posted. Measurements
have been changed. The markings are clearer.
Q. Can we put a piece of paper down to line up
the bot?
A. Yes
Q. Can the paper stay during the
challenge?
A. No
Q. Can we tape the platform down?
A. No, but during the challenge
the platform will be fixed (fastened to the playing surface)
Q. The pegs are not smooth, are
they supposed to be smooth?
A. No, the pegs have a lip at
the end of the peg and the rings must be lifted off of the
peg.
Q. What is defined as dropping a
ring?
A. If the ring falls off the
arm, the ring is considered dropped.
Q. Are you allowed to set the
head of the robot on the platform?
A. Yes
Q. Can you use a remote control?
A. Per the general rules, no.
Q. Please clarify the order of
the rings.
A . Use the previous FAQ answer
and look at the platform head on.
Q. Could you describe the surface that this robot
will be running on?
A. Other than the platforms, the surface will be
the regular floor of the location of the challenge.
Q. Where is the starting point? Can students
place their bot anywhere to begin?
A. You can place your robot anywhere to begin
(including on the platform).
Q. We are having problems with the order of the
colored rings. You mentioned that the rings in both rows are
mixed up. However, in the picture, only 2 of the rings on the
top row are on the wrong pegs. Can you tell us what in order the
colored rings are going to be?
A. I believe the problem may be in viewing the
colors in the picture. Every ring is placed on the incorrect
color.Left to right - Ring color is given and the post color
is in parenthesis Top row -Black (blue), Red (black), Blue
(red) Bottom row - Green (yellow), Yellow (green)
Of course when you turn 180 degrees to put it on the other
platform, these are a mirror image.
Q. The bottom drawing says it is 11.5 inches
across, but the top says it is 5 inches from side to
middle peg. That would make it 10 inches. Which is it?
A. The width dimension is
actually 11 and 1/4. The distance to the middle peg is 5 1/2
from one end and 5 and 3/4 to the other. The lip problem
showed up in more dimensions. I copied their drawing and
edited the dimensions to include the lip. The new drawing
has been posted with the corrected measurements.
Q. On the Starry Night SWE mission: Do we know
the 'mis-order' of the rings on the south end of the stadium?
Will this 'mis-order' always be the same or will it sometimes be
scrambled?
A. The misorder is exactly
how it is in the pictures- the bottom rows are mixed up and
the top rows are mixed up. Yes, the misorder will be in the
same order each time.
General Questions
UPDATED RUBRIC FOR SCORING
Oral Presentation,
Spirit and Sportsmanship, and
Table/Notebook Display are posted!!
Q. This is a critical clarification. It is clear
that one single RCX serial code will be recorded and used in all
missions, but according to your response in another question, it
IS legal to have multiple kits from which separate add-ons/etc
can be placed on the RCX as long is it is just one kit per
mission. Correct?
A. Each robot can only contain the parts from one
kit and only that one single RCX may be used throughout the day.
If they want to pre-build pieces of their robots from additional
parts that is okay as long as each robot consists of parts from
one kit and uses the registered RCX.
Q. When will the T-shirt and Poster links
be ready?
A. The information will
be posted on the web as soon as the designs are complete and
we know pricing for the T-shirts. I hope to have the T-shirt
information ready today. The poster should be up later this
week or first of next week.
Click Here to Order a Robo-Olympics T-Shirt
Click here to Print
a Robo-Olympics Poster
Q.
The rules say: "Each
team needs one Lego Robotics MINDSTORMS Invention
System kit." I was told that last year some teams used
different kits for each challenge (so driving bases could be
pre-built) just switching a common RCX brick. I believe
this would be defined as using one kit "at a time". Can
multiple kits be used (one at a time) or is this a violation
of the rules? (I often bring a spare kit in case a motor
stops working, etc.)
A.
The way
the rule is enforced is that when the challenge is
officially run by the team, the serial number from the RCX
is documented. So, practice runs on the course and
especially practicing the day of the challenge may be done
with additional RCXs.
Q.
The
rules say: "**No additional parts from other LEGO
sets or non-LEGO parts are allowed." There is a rotation
design that requires the use of a piece of paper shaded with
light and dark regions for use with a light sensor to
determine the degrees of rotation. Can this student-created
shaded piece of paper be used or is this a violation of the
rules?
A. No paper or other
materials can be used. A rotation sensor can be
created by using the light sensor to count the number of
times something passes by it. Instead of using paper,
try building something out of LEGO pieces. The
following PDF document has an example:
Construct a Counting Wheel
Q.
A question about quality
control: Your site said that "We are grateful to the
American Society for Quality (ASQ) who audited the courses to
ensure that the "as-built" versions matched the "as-designed"
versions. ASQ verified the dimensions for completeness and
accuracy. This is typically done with most engineering designs
to ensure that the part was built to the specifications." How
is it that so many dimension and accuracy questions got by
this group? Is the ASQ a group of students? Professionals?
Is there some way to better guarantee that the published
blueprints will not have to go through numerous clarifications
and measurement changes prior to the teams trying to build
them and discovering the omissions and errors themselves?
A. ASQ is a group of
students. Errors were discovered by ASQ and fixed prior to
the challenges being posted. Obviously not all errors were
corrected prior to the new designs being posted. I apologize
for this. Part of the problem is that after the designs were
checked and then fixed, they were never rechecked. In
industry the designs are not released until the quality
person "signs off" on the final design. That did not happen
in this case due to time constraints. The courses that were
posted were much better than originally submitted, but still
had problems. We plan to correct this for next year.
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