Note: All rules subject to change without notice.
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Name of Event: BEAM Challenge
Number of Robots per Event: One Length of Event: 1 minute maximum Robot Weight Range: No limit Robot Dimensions: 18 cm long by 18 cm wide (7" x 7"), any height Arena Specifications: 1 m long by 2 m wide (3.28 ft x 6.56 ft) Robot Control Specifications: Autonomous |
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Object:
Create a Solar-powered BEAM robot that goes as fast as possible. The closest to the middle (or going through the target hole) wins!
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 2 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 1 m x 2 m. 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.
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