Xtreme Robot Olympiad Mr. Mike Smith Summer Session Instructor University of Denver

Outline Hello Overview of competitions and ground rules Introduction to the kits Team assignments

Experiential Learning The things we have to learn before we do them, we learn by doing them. - Aristotle Fish for me, I eat for a day. Teach me to fish, I eat for a lifetime. - Chinese Proverb

Logistics Teaching Assistants: Bill Ghiglieri Rachel Fulstone High school teachers are available as consultants They will join different teams for different competitions

Robot Olympiad Teams will accrue points Xtreme Robot Soccer50 points Robot Racing100 points Drag Race Adventure Race Robot Grand Challenge100 points Autonomously navigate a maze Complete a new adventure race Points also awarded for in-class performance Robot designs will change for each competition

Xtreme Soccer 2 on 2 games Scoring Each normal ball is 1 point each Super-sized ball is 3 points Robot design Based on a “squarebot” with a custom designed manipulator

Robot Racing Develop your own original design Choose a new body structure Change the gears and wheels Design for both top speed (drag race) and navigating obstacles (adventure race) Additional time bonus for a hanging robot Teams will have 1 minute to get their robot to hang from the pull- up bar All team members will drive Score is the average time for your team members Additional materials will be available for “purchase” Each team has a “virtual budget”

The Grand Challenge Two competitions Autonomous maze Navigate through a maze using sensors and autonomous control Additional time bonus for stopping within 2” of the wall without touching it New adventure race with your team’s best driver

Ground Rules Students must comply with safety rules at all times No cell phones, games or ipods during class Students must treat all other students and instructors with respect Students must use all equipment (robotics kit, laptop, adventure course, etc.) appropriately at all times All of the competitions will be run in the spirit of gracious professionalism Incidental contact is permitted No intentional damaging actions - will result in time penalties or disqualification

Robotics Kit Vex Robotics ( Includes Structural supports Hardware Motors and servos Gears Wheels Sensors Line following and ultrasonic Onboard microcontroller FM transmitter/receiver Rechargeable batteries and charger Manual

Robotics Kit All of the contents of the Vex Robotics Kit will be returned in their original form No cutting, bending, or transforming of any of the materials in the kit Robot and kit will remain in CMK at all times For Robot Racing and the Grand Challenge, teams may “purchase” additional materials with a virtual budget These materials can be modified upon design approval

Good Practices Always read and think before doing! Be aware of your surroundings Drive train Keep fingers and other objects/body parts away from the moving gears Batteries For better battery performance, recharge your batteries when they are fully drained Electrical connections Turn off your system before you plug/unplug wires Don’t leave loose or hanging wires, they can get caught in moving parts Wireless control Be aware of the radio frequencies Use different crystals to change the channel frequencies 2 teams will have the same radio frequency

Team Work You will be assigned to 2 person teams Teams work best when everyone feels engaged Give everyone a chance to participate You will become an expert in one area and must share your expertise with your other teammates Communicate with your teammates!!

To do in your group Introduce yourself Exchange contact information Choose a team name! Select a team leader Team leader is responsible for running the meetings Choose the following positions Lead structural engineer Lead motion engineer Lead electrical engineer Lead programmer

Robot Kit Check Out Form I take responsibility for the contents of the kit. I agree not to alter any of the contents of the kit. I will report any problems with the components when they occur. I will return all of the contents of the kit in good working order.

Lab Today 2-5 pm Follow the directions to build your own “squarebot” Manual has lots of useful information – please take the time to read it. Center of gravity Truss structures Different control modes (+2 points)

Team Assignments