DPRG mailing list archives: [DPRG] Outdoor contest rules

Mon Aug 21 22:02:15 CDT 2006

Hi Dave:

> The 5x10 foot CAs are about the same size as a 
typical indoor contest
> for small, slow robots.  That seems too small for 
outdoor robots.
> A large part of the impetus to build outdoor robots
is to get free of
> the constraints of artificial robot courses, and 
just use the natural
> out-of-doors for a contest course.

Yeah, that is a tough one. Most machines that I can
picture being in the outdoor contest are at least 18”
long. That means they’d only have to travel about
seven times their length to complete an area. On the
other hand, making it too large means it will be
difficult to fill with obstacles. Lemme think about
this one.

> A large part of the impetus to build outdoor robots
is to get free of
> the constraints of artificial robot courses, and
just use the natural
> out-of-doors for a contest course.

I agree completely. That’s why I opted to do away with
walls defining the contest areas. However, I also
wanted something reasonably simple, where a less
advanced machine with a solid chassis would stand a
good chance of competing. The “Obstacle Traversing”
portion of the contest seems to fit that.

> Following the above, I would suggest that we
actually go over to Fair 
> Fair Park and scout around and design the contest
rules specifically
> for what is already there, rather than adding
artificial walls and so
> forth.  I'd be happy to go over there and wander
around with anyone
> else that's interested if you'd like to work out a
time.

I really appreciate your offer. I’m free this Saturday
(8-26-06) morning until about noon. If yer not
available then, I can find some other time.

Respectfully
-Martin

--- "David P. Anderson" <dpa at io.isem.smu.edu> wrote:

> 
> Howdy,
> 
> Martin, kudos for taking the initiative on this and
> hammering out
> a competition.  I have a couple of suggestions for
> your
> consideration.
> 
> The 5x10 foot CAs are about the same size as a
> typical indoor contest
> for small, slow robots.  That seems too small for
> outdoor robots.
> A large part of the impetus to build outdoor robots
> is to get free of
> the constraints of artificial robot courses, and
> just use the natural
> out-of-doors for a contest course.
> 
> Following the above, I would suggest that we
> actually go over to Fair 
> Fair Park and scout around and design the contest
> rules specifically
> for what is already there, rather than adding
> artificial walls and so
> forth.  I'd be happy to go over there and wander
> around with anyone
> else that's interested if you'd like to work out a
> time.
> 
> Perhaps for the first running of this contest we
> should use it
> in its simplest version, and add more complexities
> as the robots
> get more accomplished.  I believe at this time for
> most builders,
> just to start in one place and make it to two other
> places (i.e.,
> "long haul") would probably be a significant
> challenge for the
> September event.
> 
> best regards,
> dpa
> 
> 
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>

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