 | Solaroller
Racing continues to be a very popular entry-level event for those who want
to compete. This year, we had some pretty tweaked-out Solarollers, pushing
the 1 meter record to under 30 seconds! |
 | Ah,
the Solaroller judge. SAIT instructors were very generous with the time they
donated to this year's event. |
 | Dave
Hrynkiw, of Solarbotics Ltd. explaining the rules of their sponsored
competition, SolarSpeeder Racing.
In short, place your SolarSpeeder at one end of a
4'x8' sheet of white arborite, and aim it at a 10cm slot in a wall at the
other end 8' away. Closest win prizes, but going through wins the Grand
prize ($349 ScoutWalker II Kit!) |
| Carefully lining up... |
| SolarSpeeders powered up, and
ready to launch! |
| Dave Hrynkiw of Solarbotics
Ltd. checking out how close the competitors are getting to making him
$349 worth-of-kit poorer... |
| Atomic Hockey wasn't as well
represented as it has been in recent years, but it's still always fun to
watch. Development of game strategies have made this a very strategic/not
power-hungry event. |
 | Wellhead
Blowout (aka: Fire extinguisher) was also poorly represented after several
entrants bailed out at the last minute. It's a difficult event, but rightly
so - let's see you build a robot that'll put out a flame without
catching fire to itself! |
 | Our
Walker Triathlon competitors, Kyle Simmons (with "Tiny Tim"), Mike
Ball (aka: Flaming Headphones, with "Karl Rouge", and Ty Davis
(with "Spoc"). Funny how one of the hardest competitions scared
off all-comers except these talented young roboticists (that's a dig at all
you "real" roboticists who didn't show up with any walking
robots!). |
| The Walker Triathlon
"Walker Sumo" competition. Regular sumo rules apply, with added
emphasis on aggressiveness and ability to shove. In this event, "Tiny
Tim" did a good job scooting around under the other's legs!
In picture two of this group, Kyle is looking way
too serious!
Mike ball used some great strategy with his walker "Karl Rouge"
by changing the gait to a fast tap dance. "Tiny Tim" walked right
up, gave a gentle shove, and continued to walk under "Karl Rouge"
and right off the edge of the sumo ring. Mike took some kind teasing about
his walker requiring further tap dance lessons.
|
