Subject:
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Re: Lego League Story...
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.org.ca.rtltoronto
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Date:
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Thu, 21 Nov 2002 19:54:25 GMT
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Viewed:
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974 times
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In lugnet.org.ca.rtltoronto, Steve Hassenplug writes:
> I have to tell a happy story.
>
> I coach a First Lego League team. Actually, we have one team that works
> together sharing ideas and building two robots.
>
> If you don't know about the FLL, check this out: http://www.legoleague.org/
> The goal is to build a robot to accomplish several pre-defined tasks. Like
> clearing rocks off a soccer field, or delivering materials to the building
> site.
>
> Well, we had one robot entered in a local tournament (all our ideas THROWN
> together, much like the week before rtlXX), and at the last minute, we
> decided to enter a second one. I helped the kids build a "robot" with one
> motor, no sensors, and a big front bumper. The drive wheels were on a single
> axle, so the robot would go straight pretty well, but had a hard time
> turning. Ok, so there was no way it could turn! Heck, it took less time to
> build than one of Chris' robots.
>
> So, we showed up at the tournament with one robot that had an arm for
> lifting, a scoop for carring, differential drive tracks, and a ton of complex
> programming. And the second K.I.S.S. robot that the kids
> nicknamed "Senseless".
>
> Because this tournament was pretty early in the season, most of the teams
> were struggling with their robots. Few worked as planned. Including our
> primary robot. But Senseless worked exactly like we planned.
> Forward/Backward... push the rocks, return to base. Push the materials,
> return to base...
>
> When the plastic dust settled, our primary robot finished sixth, while
> Senseless took second. Not bad for a two day old robot that couldn't event
> turn.
>
> It was an EXCELLENT demonstration of the KISS method. And the kids could see
> it in action. I just hope they understand what it means...
>
> Steve
I quote Mr. Scott on this one...
"The more they overthink the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the drain!"
When Guelph had its first sumo match, the rules were the 'bot had to fit
within 1 cubic foot. So I show up with an RCX, and 1 cubic foot of LEGO
surrounding it--2 wheels for moving/turning--that was it--very simplistic.
It came in 2nd (next to Iain's ramp'bot, which still inspires me to this day
when I think about it)
Block stacking/sorting/project x/monkey/whatever.. I liik at all these
competitions and say that the complex 'bots look great, but it's usually the
simple ones that win the day--the fewer moving parts, the better.
All except Project X--Rob's 'bot was complex, but it did the job flawlessly!
There's engineering, then there's overengineering.
But I haven't thought in my time at these events that *any* 'bot deserved
the 'Hey Mister!' title. I have been inspired and have appreciated every
'bot I have ever seen at these competitions, even the ones that didn't work
at all.
So Iain, make the Tiji's!
Dave K.
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Message is in Reply To:
 | | Lego League Story...
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| I have to tell a happy story. I coach a First Lego League team. Actually, we have one team that works together sharing ideas and building two robots. If you don't know about the FLL, check this out: (URL) The goal is to build a robot to accomplish (...) (22 years ago, 21-Nov-02, to lugnet.org.ca.rtltoronto)
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