DPRG mailing list archives: [DPRG] Are representations what makes Can Can hard?

Thu Dec 7 15:14:51 CST 2006

If I remember correctly, the rules to state something about the "entire"
robot crossing the line to and from point A. If the robot drops
something, then the entire robot never crosses the line.

Rick

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From: dprglist-bounces at dprg.org [mailto:dprglist-bounces at dprg.org] On
Behalf Of DeltaGraph at aol.com
Sent: Thursday, December 07, 2006 2:15 PM
To: swindle at compuserve.com; dprglist at dprg.org
Subject: Re: [DPRG] Are representations what makes Can Can hard?

I did not see anything in the rules excluding beacons.

On the can end, the current rules mention substitution the white course
can with a can of another color or a "B-can" of your own design.

If you would like to put a home base beacon up, who will stop you?

If contest rules become overly restrictive on how you do a task. They
really should be examined.

Also, if shorter walls in Can collection killed the opportunity to use
sonar, maybe that should be examined against visibility and
transportability of a contest course -- or hold contests at the
warehouse and invite use of either course.

I should mention the goal in single can collection concept was to speed
the contest and reduce its complexity. I am sure David Anderson spent
some time adding the ability to do position re-calibrate (odometry
referencing robot) -- I know I did, when I attempted to do that on a
fire fighting robot using video analysis of a wall floor border.

Orange cans are easy to see if you are using video. If cost is
prohibitive,  I would recommend going after beacon technology. Dale
Wheat was pushing on beacon design earlier this year -- cheap!

At last months meeting, David Anderson proposed contests that would tend
to encourage development of odometry skills + big help for most
everyone.

I wonder how well David's SR04 would perform Can Can without use of
odometry?

Odometry is a king, I caught on to that fact real quick when I joined
the club, never mind all the distractions off into 3D simulation land
and speech I/O that have overcomplicated my software..

I guess too the dual benefits of motor encoders being useful in
controlling motor speed and measuring distance traveled with little
sensor lag and not much "noise" when on a smooth surface  & not slipping
, make that technology important to master.

IMHO,  We really need to encourage learning and implementing that skill
in our robot builders. 

Also, beyond all other skills, teach the most important,  DIVIDE AND
CONQUER.  

R o n

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