First Robot Battle Test Run

Something to Brighten Your Week

This has nothing to do with Robotics but is hilarious none the less.

Final Balloon Battle Date

Hello class,

At this point we are hurtling towards the end of this module and that means a competition.

Our competition date is Monday November 2nd after school.

Currently we have the potential for 5 competing robots with four student robots and my own.

The matches will comprise of a combination of 1 vs 1 and 4 robot free for all competitions.

The arena is set up in the room and will be ringed by pool noddles so that nobody wreaks their robot.

Balloon Battle Rules:

• During a balloon battle, 4 robots will be placed in a 72” x 72” arena and will compete to destroy balloons attached to each robot.
• Each robot must use the Magician Chassis with no modifications to the frame.
• Each robot must have one balloon filled to at least 5” in diameter affixed to the perimeter of the top body-plate of their robot.
• Each robot may have up to three sewing needles(maximum 2” in length) affixed anywhere on their robot (they may be affixed with tape).
• Robots must be outfitted with a pushbutton breakout board that is coded to disable the robot. This must be easily accessible.
• Robot code must be outfitted with a method of disabling the robot (motor velocity = 0 or Brake command). That code must be provided to the teacher and demonstrated. A robot disable device will be present at the competition to stop any runaway robots.
• Robots must be controlled via Infrared signals. No other interference from the drivers is permitted.
• Robots cannot be modified to damage the opposing robot. Collisions will happen though so keep this in mind when designing.

Assignments Due this Week

I hope to see everyone Monday afternoon so that I can walk all of you through how to make your Arduino Infrared reactive.

In other news, I want to collect the first two assignments for this unit:

Assignment 01 -

• Grove Kit and Code (4 activities) (Due by October 8th)
• Assignment 02 - Arduino Shield Board(Due by October 8th)
• Assignment 03 - IR Demonstration board (due by October15th)
• Assignments 04 - Final Robot Code (Due October 29th)

This timeline means that our actual competition will happen on October 26th.

Plan on coming two times next week as Monday is not a school day (Thanksgiving).

Good luck and happy balloon hunting.