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Western Canadian Robot Society
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2003 Solarbotics SolarSpeeder RaceRules & RegulationsRules & Regulations (Same as 2002) Last modified on February 4, 2002 Sponsored by:
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Originally Created by Dr. Mark Tilden
Rules adapted for BEAM/WCRG Games by Dave Hrynkiw
Official PDF Version of the SolarSpeeder Rules
Note: The following is an extract of the official PDF version above. Competitors are strongly suggested to use the above PDF as your guidelines.
Object:
Take a standard Solarbotics Ltd. SolarSpeeder kit, build it to the best of your abilities, and take three shots at aiming it at a target. The closest to the middle (or going through the target hole) wins!
Note: This event is held outside the official sanctioning of the BEAM/WCRG Millennium Robot Games. All registration and management will be provided by Solarbotics Ltd. This means you only have to pay your $5 door admission, walk up to the Solarbotics booth, and enter your SolarSpeeder there! Of course, you won't get the benefits of being a fully registered event competitor, like the cool t-shirt and other perks...
Background:
The SolarSpeeder is meant to be an introduction to building BEAM robots. Although not a robot itself, the SolarSpeeder teaches the fundamental skills needed for more advanced designs. This competition encourages the builder to make sure the electronics are working properly, and more importantly, make sure the SolarSpeeder is mechanically sound.
A standard, stock SolarSpeeder should be able to cover 3 meter distance. With some careful tweaking, you should be able to aim it with some degree of accuracy, and get it as close to the target as possible.
The Racing Platform:
The racing platform is a standard-sized construction sheet of white melamine measuring 4' x 8'. The starting line is measured 10cm (4") off the narrow end of the sheet. At the end opposite to the starting line is a wall, with a 10cm (2.5") wide opening.
Lighting for the racing platform will be provided by any available source of light, being either natural sunlight, halogen lamps, or a combination of the two.
SolarSpeeder - The Race:
Competitors will race simultaneously in set heats (number or competitors to be determined based on number of competitors entered), with all the SolarSpeeders starting at or behind the starting line. Each competitor will aim their own SolarSpeeder towards the target opening, and when given the signal, will release it and leave it to self-activate. After it finishes its run, the SolarSpeeder’s distance from the target opening will be noted by the judges, and removed from the platform as soon as possible to make way for any remaining SolarSpeeders.
The race is run until all the SolarSpeeders in that heat have activated, or until three minutes have been passed. Any malfunctioning SolarSpeeder may be removed from a heat and re-entered at a later heat.
Each competitor will be able to run their SolarSpeeder three times, and the best run used for determining the winner. In the case that more than one SolarSpeeder successfully passes through the target opening, these will be entered in a run-off where the competitors will each have a single attempt to pass through the target opening.