CAN you believe it... The next Robotics game.

[Jeff Van Winden]

Ok, so I meant to do this months ago, and I have just been swamped..

So with out further ado, here are my thoughts on our next game:


****************The Can Game***********

Premise of the Game:
Build a robot that can find the heaviest can in the play field.
The play field will contain multiple (unlabeled?) cans of different sizes and
shapes, the Largest can is not necessarily the heaviest.
- could be a food drive for the cans if labels are left on...

Rules:
2 to 4 Robots can play at the same time, Each robot will start in one of the
play field at a 45 degree angle to the corner
Robot must* travel around the play field and try to find the Heaviest can.  
    *or should, Chris's robot will probably just sit there ;)  
At the end of the game your robot can only be holding one can
Your robot can hold two cans for weighing purposes only
i.e. no hoarding of cans
No size restrictions
different classes for RCX / NXT? - might not be necessary because I don't think
there is a weight sensor yet. Is there?
Might have to define a Largest can possible (i.e. 2-ish Leter Tomato Juice can)

Play field:
The play field will be the floor of the Library.
I will attempt to find a liberty with non carpeted floors.
A square area will be taped out using black electrical tape,
Size of tape to be determined.

Scoring:
By Weight?
First, Second and Third highest weighed cans...

Thoughts? Ideas?
I have probably mossed something, so Lets discuss and iron out some rules.

[Jeff Van Winden]

In lugnet.org.ca.rtltoronto, Jeff Van Winden wrote:

> Ok, so I meant to do this months ago, and I have just been swamped..
>
> So with out further ado, here are my thoughts on our next game:
>
>
> ****************The Can Game***********
>
> Premise of the Game:
> Build a robot that can find the heaviest can in the play field.
> The play field will contain multiple (unlabeled?) cans of different sizes and
> shapes, the Largest can is not necessarily the heaviest.
> - could be a food drive for the cans if labels are left on...
>
> Rules:
> 2 to 4 Robots can play at the same time, Each robot will start in one of the
> play field at a 45 degree angle to the corner
> Robot must* travel around the play field and try to find the Heaviest can.
>     *or should, Chris's robot will probably just sit there ;)
> At the end of the game your robot can only be holding one can
> Your robot can hold two cans for weighing purposes only
> i.e. no hoarding of cans
> No size restrictions
> different classes for RCX / NXT? - might not be necessary because I don't think
> there is a weight sensor yet. Is there?
> Might have to define a Largest can possible (i.e. 2-ish Leter Tomato Juice can)
>
> Play field:
> The play field will be the floor of the Library.
> I will attempt to find a liberty with non carpeted floors.
> A square area will be taped out using black electrical tape,
> Size of tape to be determined.
>
> Scoring:
> By Weight?
> First, Second and Third highest weighed cans...
>
> Thoughts? Ideas?
> I have probably mossed something, so Lets discuss and iron out some rules.

Forgot one thing...

Time Frame for the Game:

How does late March, Early April sound for everyone??

Jeff VW

[RobA]

Nice one Jeff-

Question on the "can density", which will of course depend on the
playfield size and the # cans on the field..

If the focus on finding cans, or finding the largest cans?  If the
later, I might suggest wrapping the bottom of each can with a strip of
retroreflective tape (but it might be too expensive)...

-Rob A>

[Jeff Van Winden]

In lugnet.org.ca.rtltoronto, Rob Antonishen wrote:

> Nice one Jeff-
>
> Question on the "can density", which will of course depend on the
> playfield size and the # cans on the field..
>
> If the focus on finding cans, or finding the largest cans?  If the
> later, I might suggest wrapping the bottom of each can with a strip of
> retroreflective tape (but it might be too expensive)...
>
> -Rob A>

The Focus is finding the Heavist can, I think part of the challenge will be
finding the cans in general...

I imagined a 3 meter by 3 meter (just for you Iian) Practically 10' x 10'  for
you imperial lovers out there. With maybe 20 - 30 Cans. And Of course the cans
are going to be obsiticials as well..

We will have to think about what to do if a can rolls out of the playing area,
after a robot knocks it down or gives it a push...

Jeff VW

[David Koudys]

In lugnet.org.ca.rtltoronto, Jeff Van Winden wrote:

<snip>


>
> We will have to think about what to do if a can rolls out of the playing area,
> after a robot knocks it down or gives it a push...
>
> Jeff VW

I still ahve the playfield walls that can be easily set up anywhere on top of a
smooth floor.

that'd give us an 8x8 arena with white walls--if the cans are darker, a light
sensor may be a bit of help in detecting cans.

Dave K

[David Koudys]

In lugnet.org.ca.rtltoronto, Jeff Van Winden wrote:

<snip>

> Scoring:
> By Weight?
> First, Second and Third highest weighed cans...
>
> Thoughts? Ideas?
> I have probably mossed something, so Lets discuss and iron out some rules.

and... OMG!!!! I can build big 'bots again!!!!

Yippee!!!!!!!

(cause we're not putting much of a size/weight restriction out there, are we? :)

if we are, I vote for 18 inches x 18 inches size limit :)  )


Dave K

[Philippe Hurbain]

> that'd give us an 8x8 arena with white walls--if the cans are darker, a light
> sensor may be a bit of help in detecting cans.
>
http://www.philohome.com/sensors/lasersensor.htm
Oh... the rules don't allow custom sensors? Too bad!

Philo

[Chris Magno-2]

Jeff,

Thank you for organizing this game.  I look forward to the web page
updates, and a more finalizing of the rules as discussed at dinner.

I like that we all seemed to agree on using Dave's wall's as the
boundary; and I like that we all have to BYOC (Bring Your Own Cans)

I think we agreeded that we should aim for a Max Weight/Size of 1 Litre,
or about 1 KG.  (2.2 Lbs ish)

I also love the idea that we can brings cans that are not necessarily
"round" im thinking canned meat products.

This should be a fun game.

Chris


Jeff Van Winden wrote:

> Ok, so I meant to do this months ago, and I have just been swamped..
>
> So with out further ado, here are my thoughts on our next game:
>
>
> ****************The Can Game***********
>
> Premise of the Game:
> Build a robot that can find the heaviest can in the play field.
> The play field will contain multiple (unlabeled?) cans of different sizes and
> shapes, the Largest can is not necessarily the heaviest.
> - could be a food drive for the cans if labels are left on...
>
> Rules:
> 2 to 4 Robots can play at the same time, Each robot will start in one of the
> play field at a 45 degree angle to the corner
> Robot must* travel around the play field and try to find the Heaviest can.  
>     *or should, Chris's robot will probably just sit there ;)  
> At the end of the game your robot can only be holding one can
> Your robot can hold two cans for weighing purposes only
> i.e. no hoarding of cans
> No size restrictions
> different classes for RCX / NXT? - might not be necessary because I don't think
> there is a weight sensor yet. Is there?
> Might have to define a Largest can possible (i.e. 2-ish Leter Tomato Juice can)
>
> Play field:
> The play field will be the floor of the Library.
> I will attempt to find a liberty with non carpeted floors.
> A square area will be taped out using black electrical tape,
> Size of tape to be determined.
>
> Scoring:
> By Weight?
> First, Second and Third highest weighed cans...
>
> Thoughts? Ideas?
> I have probably mossed something, so Lets discuss and iron out some rules.

[Chris Magno-2]

Philippe Hurbain wrote:
>> that'd give us an 8x8 arena with white walls--if the cans are darker, a light
>> sensor may be a bit of help in detecting cans.
>>
> http://www.philohome.com/sensors/lasersensor.htm
> Oh... the rules don't allow custom sensors? Too bad!
>
> Philo

This is where it gets "complicated"  We actually talked about allowing
custom sensors, and we more or less all agreed, Until I asked for a
"ruling" on what is defined as a sensor.  Would a very powerful "rare
earth" magnet, glued to a beam balance count? where do you draw the line
between a "lego robot" and a home brew "sheet metal" robot?


Chris

[RobA]

Just bumping this-

Is this event still on the horizon, or have we scrubbed it completely?

-Rob A>

On Sat, Jan 12, 2008 at 9:58 PM, Chris Magno wrote:

>
> Philippe Hurbain wrote:
>>>
>>> that'd give us an 8x8 arena with white walls--if the cans are darker, a light
>>> sensor may be a bit of help in detecting cans.
>>>
>> http://www.philohome.com/sensors/lasersensor.htm
>> Oh... the rules don't allow custom sensors? Too bad!
>>
>> Philo
>
> This is where it gets "complicated"  We actually talked about allowing custom sensors, and we more or less all agreed, Until I asked for a "ruling" on what is defined as a sensor.  Would a very powerful "rare earth" magnet, glued to a beam balance count? where do you draw the line between a "lego robot" and a home brew "sheet metal" robot?
>
>
> Chris