Minefield Challenge
Challenge OverviewIn this challenge, 14 “mines” have been placed on the board. Four robots compete on the field at a time (2 Robots on the red team, and 2 robots on the blue team). Each robot’s task is to safely disarm and transport its set of mines to the disposal areas by picking up the ball off of the pole, and placing the ball in any of the bins. A match lasts a total of 2 minutes, broken down into a
30 second Autonomous Period followed by a 90 second Remote Control Period. At the end of the round each team will score 20 points for every one of their mines in a bin. The purple mines are multiplier mines and are available to both teams. When a multiplier mine is in a bin, every mine in that bin in worth 40 points. Whichever team wins the autonomous period will receive 40 bonus points. Field OverviewThe field is an 12’ by 12’ solid frame with 6” high walls. The central playing area is covered by sixteen 2’ x 2’ foam tiles. A mine consists of a plastic ball resting atop a pedestal (PVC pipe). Two sets of 6 mines are placed at set locations around the board, with two multiplier mines are placed in the center of the field. Each team begins with three pre-load mines. Four small rectangular bins (small storage bins) are centered on each side of the field, designated as disposal points.
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Autonomous Period
The game will begin in the Autonomous Period, which will last for 30 seconds. During this time, the human operator may not transmit any commands through the Remote Control, with the exception of a single button press used to signal the start of the game. Three pre load mines can be used during this period. They start in base with the robot, and can be manually loaded onto the robot while in base. Preload mines scored during this time will remain in the bins and count towards your total score at the end of the match. You may also attempt to disarm any of the other mines on the field during this period. Whichever team scores the most mines during this period, will receive 40 bonus points. If the teams tie, each team will be awarded 20 bonus points.
Remote Control Period
After scoring is finished for the Autonomous Period, a signal will be given to resume play and begin the Remote Control Period. Full use of the Remote Control will be allowed during this time. A single button press may be used to signal the start of this period on the robot. After 90 seconds of Remote Control function, a signal will be given to mark the end of the round. All robots must come to a complete halt and accept no commands from the Remote Control. Once the robot stops, the field will be evaluated by judges and referees to determine the number of points earned during the Remote Control Period.
Scoring
- Mines properly disposed of: +20 points each.
- Dropped Mine: -10 points each.
- Knocking over opponents mines: - 10 points each AND a 15 second timeout.
- Autonomous Period Win: +40 points
- Autonomous Period Tie: +20 points
- Any bin with a multiplier mine will will make every mine in that bin worth 40 points (for both teams).
- Adding both multipliers into one bin DOES NOT multiply the points by 4. It will still just double the points.
Mines in the robot’s possession (but not in a disposal bin) are worth no points.
The multiplier mines may be scored by either team. Regardless of which team disarmed the multiplier mine, the point value of each mine in a disposal bin is doubled. Knocking over a multiplier mine will result in a loss of 10 points, with no timeout period.
Additional Notes and Rules:
- No movement by the robots (even accidental) is allowed prior to the start of the match. Once on the field, any movement other than the “startup twitch” will result in the offending robot being disqualified for the round.
- Any physical contact between a human and the robot once the round has started will result in a 10 point “touching penalty” being assessed against the human’s team. This includes touching the robot to turn it on after the starting signal.
- “Chain reaction” point loss may occur if a knocked-over pedestal or mine causes other pedestals to fall over.
- When a measurement dispute occurs, “on top of the line” will count in the team’s favor.
- Time permitting, every team will be allowed to run their robot three times (“rounds”) with the ability to make changes between every round. The team’s final score will be the best of their three individual round scores.
- Once a mine is knocked over, that mine may still be dropped off to a disposal point and scored, if the robot has the mechanical ability to do so.
- Be respectful of your opponent. Robot bullying and unfair play (as determined by the referees and judges) can result in disqualification.
Start Programming the Minefield
Follow these video tutorials in order and complete all of the steps. This will walk you through the process of programming your remote control, and setting up your program to compete in the class competition. You should be able to complete this in ONE CLASS PERIOD, so that you have time to work on your autonomous program and practice the challenge.
1.How to Program Remote Control Period
2.Programming the Remote - Tank Control
3. Programming the Arm and Claw
4. Set Up for Class Competition
5.1 OPTIONAL: Use Arcade Control |
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5.2 OPTIONAL: Use Halo Control (Watch Arcade Control First) |
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6. Set Up Your Autonomous
Now that you are all set up, use the next few days to work on your autonomous program and practice completing the challenge with your remote control. Most of your time should be spent on working on the autonomous.
Minefield Grading Rubric
Turn in your code by "Sharing" it, and adding the PDF in Google Classroom's Assignment named "Minefield Challenge".
See the video below on how we turned in our Medbot Challenge earlier. This project will be the same procedure, just click on Minefield Challenge Instead.