Battery Buggy Rules – Div B Chris Ganley Materials Adapted from Presentation prepared by Mike Johnson 1

Event Description Teams will construct a battery-powered vehicle that: – Begins from a starting point on the floor, and …. – Moves as fast as possible, while…. – Curving majestically around an object that is placed exactly between the start and finish points, before it…. – Stops as close as possible to the finish point. 2

Technical Event Description Teams must construct a vehicle that uses electrical energy as its means of propulsion, quickly travels a specified distance, and stops as close as possible to the Finish Dot. TEAM SIZE: 1 or 2 students IMPOUNDMENT: Yes…and know the scheduled impoundment period. EVENT TIME: 10 minutes for vehicle construction verification and to start two runs. 3

The Track Regional Distance : 8.00 m State Distance:*6.00 – m (1.00 m intervals) National Distance:*6.00 – m (0.50 m intervals) * Exact distance will be announced after all vehicles have been impounded ½ Distance ½ Distance Finish Dot 5-Gallon Bucket (25-27 cm bottom diameter) Start Dot 4

Construction Parameters: Batteries Electrical energy used within the vehicle for any purpose must be stored in commercially available batteries labeled with their voltage by the manufacturer. The vehicle must use no more than four (4) individual cells (labeled 1.5 volts or less each) or a single battery pack (labeled 4.8 volts or less) on the vehicle at one time. No more than four (4) additional cells or one (1) additional battery pack may be impounded for replacement purposes. Batteries need not be installed until immediately prior to the run. 5

Construction Parameters: Non-Electric Energy Only the vehicle batteries and/or non-electric energy storing devices may be used to operate other functions (i.e., braking system). The non-electric energy storing devices must NOT help propel the vehicle in any way. All energy sources must be available for inspection by the Event Supervisor. 6

Construction Parameters: Electric Components must be purchased or made by the competitors (e.g., motors, gearboxes, bodies, and chassis). Electric components are limited to batteries, wires, motors, switches, resistors, capacitors, solenoids, and electro-mechanical relays. Any black boxes must be easily opened to allow for inspection. 7

The entire vehicle must fit in a 30.0 cm x 30.0 cm footprint when in ready-to-run configuration. There is no restriction on height of the vehicle. Sighting devices that do not use electricity are allowed (electrical/electronic sighting devices, including lasers, are prohibited) and may be removed from the vehicle prior to a run. Construction Parameters: Size / Siting Devices 8

Construction Parameters: Fixed Point The vehicle must have a fixed, pointed object whose tip is referred to as the fixed point. The fixed point must be on the front of the vehicle and within 1 cm of the tracks surface. All distance measurements use the fixed point. 9

The Vehicle 10

Construction Parameters: Summary: Construction Recommendations: – PLEASE….Have your team read, re-read, understand, and comply with each construction requirement. – Design Goal: Simple, robust, failsafe, precise, adjustable, and consistent. – The vehicle must fit inside a 30.0 cm by 30.0 cm space – The vehicles fixed, pointed object must be within 1.0 cm of the tracks surface. – Carefully consider what you will need to impound. 11

The Track 12

Competition Parameters: Impound The vehicle, batteries, and other interchangeable parts must be impounded prior to the start of the competition. Tools, test data, and measuring/calculating devises need not be impounded. Devises requiring an electrical outlet are prohibited. Only contestants, the Event Supervisor, and judges are allowed in the impound and the competition areas while teams are competing. 13

Competition Parameters: Important Rules Once teams enter the event area to compete, they must not leave or receive outside assistance, materials, or communication until they are finished competing. Teams have 10 minutes to start up to 2 runs. Time used by the Event Supervisor for assessment and measuring will not be included in the 10 minutes. Construction violations will be strictly enforced. UNDERSTAND THE RULES! 14

Competition Parameters Run Preparation Teams may adjust their vehicle before each run (change its speed, distance, directional control, change batteries or make changes from impounded parts). Teams may ask that the bucket be moved before each run in order to align and aim their vehicle. The bucket must be moved only by the event officials. Teams may select which dots will be their Start and Stop dots. This is based on each teams preference. 15

Competition Parameters Run Preparation (cont.) Teams must not verify the distance by rolling the vehicle on or adjacent to the track surface between the Dots at any time prior to or during the competition. Teams must place the fixed point directly over the Start Dot and align the vehicle. Competitors may place a target on the track to aid in aligning the vehicle, but it must be removed by the team before starting each run. 16

Competition Parameters: Actuating the Switch Start vehicle by actuating the switch using a pen, pencil, dowel, or similar devise (which is not part of and does not travel with the vehicle). Switch action must be perpendicular (up or down) to the floor. To comply with the requirement, the pen, dowel, or similar devise used must be moved only vertically throughout the action of actuating the switch. A non-vertically activated switch is a construction violation. Teams may not touch the vehicle while actuating the switch or push the vehicle to get it started. Failure of vehicle movement upon actuation of the switch does NOT count as a run; should this happen, the competitors may request to reset their vehicle. 17

Competition Parameters Vehicle Runs The entire vehicle, including batteries, must move forward together. Contestants may not follow their vehicle down the track. The Event Supervisor will summon them to observe their finish distance and retrieve their vehicle. The Official Run Time will start when the vehicle begins forward motion and ends when the vehicle comes to a complete stop. NOTE: Vehicles must NOT move the bucket. Competitors must not follow their vehicle down the track. They must wait until called by the Event Supervisor to observe their finish distance and retrieve their vehicle. 18

Competition Parameters Vehicle Runs (cont.) If the vehicle travels in the wrong direction or inadvertently begins a run, it must be considered a failed run. A failed run counts as a run with no score. Teams who wish to file an appeal must leave their vehicle with the Event Supervisor. 19

The Score LOW SCORE determines the winner. Run Score is the sum of: – Distance Score – Time Score Lowest (i.e., best) of the two Run Scores is used. 20

The Distance Score Distance Score – The Distance Score is the distance from the fixed point to the Finish Dot in millimeters. This is a point-to-point measurement. Example: – Vehicle stops 1234 mm from Target. – 1234 mm = 1234 points 21

The Track 22

The Time Score Time Score – The Time Score is 25 times the Official Run Time, measured in seconds (to 0.01 seconds) for the vehicle to move from the Start Dot to a complete stop. Example: – Vehicles Run Time is 7.89 seconds. – 7.89 seconds x 25 = points 23

The Time Score (cont.) 24

The Score LOW SCORE determines the winner. Run Score is the sum of: Example scoring – Distance Score 1234 points – Time Score points – Total points (of Run 1) Lowest (i.e., best) of the two Run Scores is used. 25

The Score (cont.) Determination of TIERS: – Tier 1:Any run with no violations. – Tier 2:Any run with competition violations. – Tier 3:Any run with construction violations or both competition and construction violations. 26

QUESTIONS? 27