Robo Race

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Robo Race introduces your team to the basic concepts involved in line following.

Mission Objective

Build the fastest autonomous robot to follow an unknown path, detect the end of the path, and return home.

Figure 1. Robot at start position.

Race Rules

The robot must pass an inspection before the race starts to ensure no construction rules have been violated. The robot team will have a chance to make modifications before the race starts.
When commanded, the robot driver will press the green “run” button and the clock will start.
The robot must follow the path until it reaches the end.
At the end, the robot must turn around.
The robot must follow the path back to the home position.

Figure 2. Robot approaching end where it must turn around.

Upon reaching the home position, the robot must come to a complete stop and the motors must be turned off.
Each robot’s run is timed from the time the run button is hit to the time it returns to the home position and comes to a complete stop.

Robot Construction

The robot must be less than 11 inches long including any extensions.
The robot must be less than 10 inches wide.
The robot must use pieces from a standard Lego Minstorm Robotics Invention System 1.5.
The robot must be programmed using RCX code programming.
Once started, the robot must be completely autonomous.

Figure 3. Robot following a right handed bend.

Violations

Major Infractions

When a major infraction occurs, the robot must be restarted from the beginning of the track without stopping the clock.
Once the robot is moving, there can be no human intervention until the robot completes the task.
The robot cannot leave the track during the race.
Losing pieces while the robot is running the race.
If an error occurs and it appears the robot will not finish the race.

Minor Infraction

Failing to come to a complete stop when returning home incures a 10 second penalty .

Determining the Winner

The racer with the shortest time, after violations, is declared the winner.

In case of a tie, the tied contestants are allowed a run-off. The racer with the shortest run-off time is declared the winner regardless of their initial time.

Playfield

See the Track section at the end of this chapter for help building the track.

Materials

8-12 white bookshelves, approximately 10”x36”x1/2”
Black electrical tape, approximately 5/8” wide

Construction

Layout the bookshelves on a flat surface in any connected open pattern.
Lay a strip of tape in a smooth line in the middle of the boards.