Line Following Challenge

To make one successful run and then deliver as many balls as possible.

View the Line Following Challenge power point (inside the RoboRAVE Challenge power point)

• 3 minutes in length.
• Open track format (new 2013) during the morning of May 4. You run as many times as possible to earn your TOP FIVE SCORES (3 RUNS on a LEFT or RIGHT TRACK, 2 ON THE OTHER). You report your score each time to the SCORE TABLE.
• Top 8 teams (based on morning scores AND pre-event scores (engineering writing, corporate partnership letter/logo, video, etc) will move on to a SINGLE ELIMINATION tournament AFTER LUNCH (new 2013).

What the robot is expected to do during each heat:

Complete all tasks in 3 minutes. (read The Challenges: RoboRAVE International 2013)

• FIRST, use sensors to track a ¼  OR 1/2  inch-wide black line (depending on Division) on a white vinyl surface to make a COMPLETE RUN which is defined as:  HOME to TOWER, DELIVER AT LEAST 1 BALL, BACK UP & TURNAROUND, and return HOME. Points are given for different tasks throughout the COMPLETE RUN. 
• AFTER a complete run is accomplished, the robot only scores points for each ping pong ball delivered at the tower. The robot MUST follow the line to the TOWER each time but can be touched after delivering to be returned HOME more quickly.

The Elementary School track is a continuous 1/2″  line from HOME to TOWER without any intersections. See photo.
The Middle School track contains a 1/2″ black line with one “T” intersection between HOME and TOWER.
The High School track contains a 1/4″ black line with  2 “T” intersections between HOME and TOWER. See photo.

GENERAL RULES:

1. FUN is the #1 priority. Winning is 2nd. Getting excited and cheering for your robot is strongly encouraged.
2. Multiple sensors and bricks are allowable.
3. The overall base area of the robot cannot exceed 144 square inches but height is not restricted.
4. Touching the robot at any time requires it to be picked up and returned to HOME.
5. Once started, the robot must operate 100% by it’s programming.
6. The TOWER cannot be touched by any person during delivery.
7. Only PLAYERS can operate and manipulate the robot during the heat.
8. Payload DELIVERED after the 3-minute heat ends is NOT counted.
9. Programming and reprogramming at the track is allowed.
10. Concerns or questions about any ruling must be brought to the Event Coordinators. All decisions by Event Coordinators are final.

 GENERAL DIMENSIONS:

• Competition area is 2.5 feet wide by 5 feet long.
• The flat black line is ¼ ” wide for High School Division and 1/2″ wide for Elementary and Middle School Divisions.
• The black line is at least six inches from the border of the track.
• Curves are approximately 6 to 6.5″ radii.
• The tracks are made of flat white vinyl.
• Two mirror images (with LEFT & RIGHT turns and T-intersections) are used as track designs.
• Tower is 4″ wide x 8″ high x 11″ long with a 4″ x 4″ wide opening for payload on the top, at the front edge.
• A plastic bag is attached at the back end (which is fully open) to collect payload balls.

ALL 2013 EVENT TRACKS ARE FOR SALE AT THE CLOSE OF OUR EVENT for $20 – Pre-sales are done through the event store. 

AWARDS