• How firm are the new competition rules dated 9/28/2007?

• Could you better describe the competition area?

• Can graduate students compete in this competition?

• Would you please give a better description as to what you mean by "tile board"?

• Does scratching the paint on the cask constitute damaging the cask?

• Does our robot have to follow the black lines?

• I'm guessing that the lightest cask is placed on square A, the middle cask on square B, and the heavy cask on square C.  I just want to make sure.  

• Will the storage bins be painted inside and out?

• Is there a penalty for going over the walls?

• Do you have any restrictions like, "robot needs to follow the line throughout the entire task"?  In a different way, can the robot go off of the track and complete the task?

• You mentioned that the weights of the cans are evenly distributed.  Can you explain that to me a little bit?  If you are planning to put some sand inside the can like last time, is the center of gravity of the can going to be towards the bottom?  I want to clarify; how are you going to make the three cans in a way that the weight will be evenly distributed?

• When you are placing the casks on the spot, are you going to center the cask geometrically or are you going to eyeball the center?  I think the storage bins are going to be placed towards the back of the square.  Is that right?

More Questions & Answers!

  What if I still have a question?

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How firm are the new competition rules dated 9/28/2007?

Although minor modifications may be necessary to address any unforeseen issues, there will be NO modifications which will effect the basic premises, course layout, or course instructions.

Could you better describe the competition area?

Please see the robotics Rules dated 9/28/07 for a complete description of the competition area.

Can graduate students compete in this competition?

Currently there are no Graduate Student teams that have committed to the competition. We will consider any adult member teams and Graduate member teams for a competition. The only requirement is that all team members must be signed up for the regional meeting.

Would you please give a better description as to what you mean by “tile board”?

If you go to any lumberyard, or Lowes, or Home Depot, and ask for "tile board", they will sell you this stuff. It is often used as a surface in bathrooms, but behaves much like the dry-erase boards on campus. bright white and shiny surface, thin and rather rigid. comes in 4x8 sheets.

Does scratching the paint on the cask constitute damaging the cask?

If, in the opinion of the judges, the cask cannot be re-used, that's damage. I believe we should be able to touch up the paint.

Does our robot have to follow the black lines?

No, but the "walls" are there to minimize point-to-point navigation. (Your robot could jump over them, I guess.)

I'm guessing that the lightest cask is placed on square A, the middle cask on square B, and the heavy cask on square C. I just want to make sure.

The cask placement will be random. (Otherwise, there would be no need to weigh them!)  

Will the storage bins be painted inside and out?

Yes. 

Is there a penalty for going over the walls?

No penalty for scaling the walls.

Do you have any restrictions like, "robot needs to follow the line throughout the entire task"?  In a different way, can the robot go off of the track and complete the task?

There are no restrictions not contained in the rules,  The lines and walls are there to assist, but do not limit the actions of the robots.  If by "go off the track" you mean "leave the 8x8 board.  NO.  Any robot that hits the floor will be disqualified.

You mentioned that the weights of the cans are evenly distributed.  Can you explain that to me a little bit?  If you are planning to put some sand inside the can, like last time, is the center of gravity of the can going to be towards the bottom?  I want to clarify; how are you going to make the three cans in a way that the weight will be evenly distributed?

The word is "symmetric", not "evenly-distributed".  In other words, we will try to weight the cans so that the END is not (much) heavier than the other.  (Also, the weight will be fixed internally, so the balance does not change during a run.)  However, the weighting may vary around the circumference of the cask.

When you are placing the casks on the spot, are you going to center the cask geometrically or are you going to eyeball the center?  I think the storage bins are going to be placed towards the back of the square.  Is that right?

Eyeball.  Look at the picture on the website for the location of the storage bin.

What if I still have a question?

Bob Ronan can answer your questions.  ronan@ieee.org