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Earlier today was the Workshop 3D RCX Challenge #4. There were dozens of
competitors, and even more robots. This was the best turnout yet for the
number of competitors and robots at this event!
Below is a summary of the results. For the full (and official) results,
consult http://www.workshop3d/rcx/ - with the results likely to be added to
this page: http://www.workshop3d.com/rcx/challenge4.htm.
First, just for completeness, the Code-Only Line-Tracking event was held
yesterday, and the results were posted here:
http://news.lugnet.com/robotics/?n=17681
Also, I've posted pictures from today's event in the folders under here:
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=15353
Today's events were:
Single RIS Line-Tracking
------------------------
Competitors are allowed a single Mindstorms "Robotics Invention Set" to
build a robot that follows a line which is approximately 20 feet long.
Competitors had three chances, the best time was used. Here were the best
results:
Steve Hassenplug - 11.15 seconds
Jeff Bowden - 14.53 seconds
Kyle Stone - 15.43 seconds
Barton Place - 24.62 seconds
James Beck - 42.80 seconds
Jeff Brown - 1 minute 23.18 seconds
Nathan Shomber - 2 minutes 47.17 seconds
There were also six entries that did not finish. My guess is these are
mainly because the robots didn't calibrate their light sensors properly at
the start. This is definitely something to remember in an event like this.
The official surface is highly reflective, and not at all similar to the
paper or cardboard likely used at home to test the robots. Lighting
conditions have always been a problem for this event, though, as promised,
this time they were greatly improved. We didn't have a large set of windows
and skylights this time.
Unlimited RIS Line-Tracking
---------------------------
Competitors are allowed to use multiple Mindstorms kits, and any other
official LEGO parts they may wish to use. Mainly this gives them the
ability to have two or three light sensors to watch the line, instead of
just the one that comes in a Mindstorms kit. All of these times were amazing!
Steve Hassenplug - 7.03 seconds (wow!)
Gus Jansson - 7.37 seconds (sooo close!)
Landon Meernik - 8.63 seconds
Dave Ficher - 11.53 seconds
T. Alexander Popiel - 17.03 seconds
Michael Sloan - 38.06 seconds
Only one competitor did not finish on any of his three attempts.
Lightweight Sumo
----------------
In a double elimination tournament, with 14 competitors, the excitement was
intense. Robots had to weigh in under two pounds for lightweight sumo.
Quite difficult, as the RCX, with batteries, and a couple of motors is
already quite close to this weight. Here are the results from the winner's
bracket, as well as the final match.
First Round:
Gus Jansson \ > Gus
--no show-- /
Jeff Bowden \ > Jeff
Aaron Amort /
Hugh Doran \ > Hugh
C.J. Kloster /
Nathan Nesbit \ > Nathan
Brusewitz/Haggerty /
James Muir \ > Mark
Mark Neal /
Alex Brusewitz \ > Steve
Steve Hassenplug /
Landon Meernik \ > Landon
Nathan Shomber /
Emmett Lalish \ > Emmett
--empty-- /
Second Round:
Gus \ > Gus
Jeff /
Hugh \ > Nathan
Nathan /
Mark \ > Mark
Steve /
Landon \ > Landon
Emmett /
Third Round:
Gus \ > Gus
Nathan /
Mark \ > Mark
Landon /
Fourth Round:
Gus \ > Gus
Mark /
This last round sent Mark to the second chance (it's double elimination)
bracket, where he won against all the others, and so got to face off against
Gus again.
This time Mark Neal won, meaning that Gus and Mark had both lost only a
single round. So a final round was held, and Mark won that round as well,
emerging as the final champion.
Heavy Weight Sumo
-----------------
This event is just like the lightweight class, except robots can be up to
six pounds. Where it's hard to keep under two pounds for the light weight
class, it's actually also quite difficult to find the weight you might want
for the heavyweight class. Where did I put all those weight elements?
Unfortunately I was competing in this event, and there were only two other
competitors, so this event went by extremely fast. I'm ashamed that I
didn't even notice the names of my competitors, nor have time to note all
the outcomes. I emerged as the final winner, for what it's worth.
Puck Gathering
--------------
This event requires competitors to build a robot to gain control of the most
number of pucks in an arena of 100 randomly scattered foam pucks (much like
the ones in the Robosports expansion kit). This year the robots had to fit
in a one-foot square to start. Several of the robots 'grew' immediately as
the round began. Gus Jansson has been the undefeated champion in this event
ever since it's been offered. There were three rounds, the final score
being the sum of the rounds. This time the results were:
Doug Bell 1 0 0 = 1
Jason Grams 7 2 3 = 12
Hugh Doran 3 4 7 = 14
Landon Meernik 15 11 2 = 28
T. Alexander Popiel 9 10 12 = 31
Gus Jansson 26 35 15 = 76
Barton Place 20 34 44 = 98
I'm sure Gus is already at home designing new robots that will allow him to
regain his titles next time. Next time, by the way, will be in
approximately six months, so if you want to compete, and don't want a
tremendous amount of pressure at the last minute to complete a robot,
there's nothing holding you back from starting now. The rules might change
a bit for the next contest, but not so much that your effort will be wasted.
Thanks to all the competitors who build robots. Thanks to Ray Freeman for
holding the competition, and all the work he put into setting it up,
creating trophies, etc. And thanks also to Vikki at Digilennium for
providing the prizes!
I apologize for any mistakes in the spelling of names, or results. Check
the WS3D site for official results.
--
David Schilling
Lego Direct: Bulk Technic would be great!
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