Meet the Robotics Challenge (Basic) at Embedded

We first flagged the Roboteers programme at Embedded Live at the beginning of the month, but here is the full low-down on the Basic Level entry requirements, for all budding Robotics Masters.

As mentioned, there are three levels in the robotics challenge, where prizes will be awarded for outstanding achievements and the best in class robots: Basic (Letry Arduino-based robots, for example, see www.robotiq.co.uk), Intermediate, and Advanced.

It is a live event, for any attendee to come and have a go with their own robotics kits. Please note, though, that places are limited on a first-come, first-served basis, but with priority given to attendees taking the Tuesday classes. The only condition of entry is that you or your team have your own robot...

Okay. So having got the prelims out of the way, what are the Basic challenges you can choose to meet? Well, the organisers will be keeping things in the spirit of Arduino development, where low cost, fun and ingenuity count highly...

Sprint to the edge, where the robots will sprint to the edge of a "drop" and stop with the leading wheels on the very edge

• robots must not use any kind of "dead reckoning" strategies
• only the original LeTry motors can be used (no super-charging)
• the robot with the fastest "average speed" will be the winner

Remember the journey, a line following challenge with a difference

• a robot will follow a path - a winding path - with intersections - printed on a large sheet of paper, all software used must be programmed into the Arduino, no communication with any other computer is allowed when the robot is following the path and then recreating it
• the robot must then recreate the path followed - by drawing it on a blank sheet of paper - using some kind of attached pen or marker
• the winner will be the robot that can best recreate the original path followed

Dancing robot, which is an exercise in creativity and ingenuity

• you are to create a dancing "LeTry" robot
• your robot can be equipped with LEDs, servos with various attachments to create an "exotic" effect.
• you will need to program your robot so as to "choreograph" its activities so as to be "in synch" with the music you have chosen
• a dance sequence is to last for 5 minutes exactly
• the winning robot will be judged on its "turnout" and its dancing and entertainment abilities

Oh, yes, and the design and code are to be open sourced... so that other "Arduinistas" can learn and be inspired.

Have a go!

(Detail of the Intermediate and Advanced challenges will follow.)

Read the Embedded Live blog >>

The Embedded Live programme (19 - 21 October) includes two technical workshops - one on embedded Linux and one on embedded programming for robotics - to give people the basic development skills.

The workshops will run on Tuesday 19 October, and the live event is on Wednesday, 20 October. (Please note these are paid classes, including class notes and live demonstrations.)