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Two Key Questions

∆ What do you want to accomplish?o Moving?o Collecting?o Lifting?

∆ How do you want to accomplish it?o Wheels / Treads?o Scoop / Agitator?o Drawer slides?

Strategy and Planning

Narrow Down Your Options

∆ We like to use a 2 x 2 matrix to help us prioritize our objectives.o Focus first on high

point / low complexity.o Be sure to understand

possible points and set reasonable goals.

+

Points 0

0 Complexity +

Beginning∆ Develop concepts on key robot mechanisms.

o Sketcheso Mock-upso Computer simulations

∆ Understand field elements and how to interact with them.

∆ Estimate spatial requirements and work out a plan for robot organization.o Block out space for each mechanismo Block out space for electronicso Leave room for robot optimization

Other questions

∆ How many devices do you need?

∆ How large are these devices?

∆ Where do the electronics go?

∆ How are the wires mounted?

∆ Will it survive in the competition?

∆ Does it fit in the budget?

∆ Can it be built before the competition?

Examples

Rough sketch showing area/function assignments.

Block Party

Example of cash flow by season

milestones.

Cascade Effect

Design/Construction

∆ Test as much as you can before you spend time building it.∆ As you develop your design think about modularity

o Multiple groups can work on pieces of the robot at the same timeo Simplifies maintenance

∆ Understand the materials that you are allowed to use. Tetrix is a great system, but has significant limitations.

∆ Support all driven components separate from the motor or servo

∆ Plan out controls while building so that software can be developed

∆ Electronics and Wiringo Design in space for electrical components and wire routing o Secure all wiring connections

Random Thoughts

Hampster’s Robot 2010-11Get Over It

Hampster’s Robot 2014-2015Cascade Effect

Much broader use of materials

Central location for electronics

Easily accessible battery. Note rubber band to indicate fully charged

Entire front collector could be removed with one pin

Random Thoughts

Shielding to protect sensitive components and wiring connections

Wire routing

Very simple mock-up to test flag spinner for Block Party

Final Installation

Random Thoughts

In this situation, the entire robot had to be built around the block handler so we needed to be sure it worked.

Entire block collector was built and tested while robot was being designed. Without the real thing available it would never have worked

Random Thoughts

Random Thoughts

Kickstand hook from Cascade Effect. Servo drives well anchored shaft. No vibrations transferred to servo

From engineering notebook. Early agreement on controls lets programming occur in parallel with robot construction.

Random Thoughts

Ultimate in custom parts. Worm drive from a rototiller. Note tape on motors to hold connectors in place

Double Omni wheels with offset rollers to improve steering

Game Day

Competition days are the fun part of the work that is done all season. A little bit of planning

and structure can make the day more organized and enjoyable.

∆ Before matcheso Robot ownershipo Scoutingo Pit representativeo Identify Partners and competitors (we use a 3 x 5

card for coaches)

Information card developed as soon as pairings are announced so that our coaches know who to work with and when they need to be ready.

Game Day

∆ During Matcheso Robot ownershipo Strategy with partnerso Battery Coordinatoro Pit Checklisto Performance Evaluationo Pit presence (watch for judges)

Pit Checklist:

Game Day

∆ Finalso Prepare ranking for team representative – Team

Representative selects highest ranked, available teamo You have a few minuteso Take critical tools and charged batteries to the field with youo Remember blue sets firsto Remember, you get one time-out

Preparation for Competition

If something can go wrong in a competition it will. You need to work out the bugs in your shop.

∆ Robot substantially complete at least two meetings before the competition.

∆ Drive practice, and lots of repetitions – use competition drive teams

∆ Simulate situations and talk about how you will respond

∆ Share all learning points with the entire team. Learn the lesson once!

Preparation for Competition

There is a lot of preparation beyond the robot. This work can take several weeks and should be worked on as part

of regular team meetings.

∆ Plan/prepare pit presentation and decorations∆ Finalize bill of materials and applicable rules∆ Plan and practice judging presentation∆ Go through Robot and Software checklist∆ Charge batteries (we use rubber bands to indicate

charged)∆ Assemble pit checklists, scouting sheets and evaluation

sheets (Too much detail will kill you. Focus on the few critical pieces of information)

∆ Pack your supplies as a team so you know where things are