2017 air force 4-h robotics...

2017 Air Force 4-H Robotics Challenge

2017

Air Force 4-H Robotics Challenge


Contents 2017 Air Force 4-H Robotics Challenge...................................................................................................................... 3

1 Teams ................................................................................................................................................................. 3

2 The Game ........................................................................................................................................................... 3

2.1 Competition kit .......................................................................................................................................... 3

2.2 Field Mat .................................................................................................................................................... 3

2.3 Playing Field ............................................................................................................................................... 4

3 The Robot ........................................................................................................................................................... 4

3.1 Allowed Materials ...................................................................................................................................... 4

3.2 Robot Size .................................................................................................................................................. 5

3.3 Robot Operation ........................................................................................................................................ 5

4 Game Rules ........................................................................................................................................................ 6

4.1 Mission Models .......................................................................................................................................... 6

4.2 Robot Rounds ............................................................................................................................................. 6

4.3 Robot Operators ........................................................................................................................................ 6

4.4 Scoring of Mission Objects ......................................................................................................................... 6

5 Missions ............................................................................................................................................................. 7

5.1 Truck Delivery ............................................................................................................................................ 7

5.2 Food and Ammunition Collection .............................................................................................................. 8

5.3 Water Rescue ............................................................................................................................................. 8

5.4 Turret Aiming ............................................................................................................................................. 9

5.5 Barrier Transportation ............................................................................................................................. 10

5.6 Aircraft Release ........................................................................................................................................ 11

5.7 Disarm the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) ........................................................................................ 12

5.8 Robot Touch Penalties ............................................................................................................................. 12

6 Team Notebook ............................................................................................................................................... 12

7 Mission Point Scoring summary ....................................................................................................................... 13



The goal of the Air Force 4-H Robotics Challenge is to introduce participants to the concept of competitive robotics.

This is done through a mission-based activity where youth design, build and program LEGO MINDSTORMS robots to

solve easily defined tasks. The activity is performed on a small (4’ x 4’) game mat, using pre-defined mission pieces.

Each mission has points assigned, based on achieving a set goal. Although the missions are predefined, the

solutions for achieving those missions are very open-ended, and depend on the creativity and skill of the

participants.

This document defines the rules and operating procedures for the 2017 game.

1 Teams Teams will consist of 3 to 8 members.

The age range of team members may be defined by the local event organizers.

2 The Game Team members will construct a robot, using ONLY LEGO parts. The robot will be controlled by an EV3 LEGO Brick.

The robot will autonomously perform specific tasks. The team will have 2 minutes and 30 seconds to perform as

many tasks as possible.

2.1 Competition kit

The competition kit comprises the playing field “mat” and the Mission Models. The mat will be provided, and

the mission models are constructed from a standard LEG EV3 accessory kit of parts. Competition kits can be

shared among multiple teams.

2.2 Field Mat

The field mat is a 48” x 48” vinyl banner which is mounted inside a wooden “playing field” for stability. The mat

defines the various mission regions of the game, and provides registration marks for positioning mission pieces.

2.2.1 Field Mat


2.3 Playing Field

The field will be constructed of a ½” thick sheet of plywood (48” X 48”) with 2” X 4” (studs) on edge to create a

playing area of 45” X 45” (inside the 2x4 frame). The mat (48” X 48”) will be installed between the 2” x 4” edge

and the plywood. The playing field can be laid on a table or supported by two sawhorses 28” to 32” tall.

2.3.1 Field Mat mounted to Playing Field

3 The Robot

3.1 Allowed Materials

Robots must be constructed using the MINDSTORMS EV3 controllers and any additional official LEGO parts. Non-

LEGO parts will not be allowed. The robot must be programmed with LEGO Mindstorms software to perform the

tasks autonomously.

A maximum of the following motors and sensors may be used (includes all robot manipulators brought to the

table during the competition):

a . 2 x touch sensors

b. 2 x light sensors

c. 1 x ultrasonic sensor

d. 1 x lamp

e. 1 x gyro sensor

f. 3 x motors

The following may not be used:

a. Paint, tape, glue, and oil

b. Non – LEGO stickers

c. Remote controls of any type


3.2 Robot Size

The robot and any attachments must start completely inside of the base area of the board

which measures 12” X 12” and must not be taller than 12”. After the robot leaves the base

area it may expand to any dimension.

3.2.1 Robot completely in the base area

3.3 Robot Operation

3.3.1 Handling the Robot

The robot may only be handled by the team members while the robot is in the base area. Once the robot leaves

the base area, the member cannot touch or in any way influence the movement of the robot until it comes back

to base without a penalty.

3.3.2 Robot in Base

While in base, members my change programs or change parts on the robot. The robot will be considered in base

as soon as any part of the robot crosses into the base.

3.3.3 Mission Objects in Base

Any objects that are to be brought back to base must cross into the base before a member touches the robot. Any

mission that was in progress will be terminated if a member touches or in any way interferes with the robot or

LEGO models outside of base. Teams may re-run the mission, but game pieces will remain where they are when

the robot was touched. The robot may leave base and return as many times as time allows.

3.3.4 Touch Penalties

If the robot is touched outside of the base area it must be brought back to base immediately and will be assessed

a touch penalty (see 5.8 for details on touch penalties).


4 Game Rules

4.1 Mission Models

Mission models will be provided as part of the competition kit. Instructions for construction of mission models

will be provided. It is the team’s responsibility to construct mission models correctly. The field(s) at the

competition may not be altered (consideration will be given if discussed with the referee.

4.2 Robot Rounds

Each robot will play three rounds with the highest score of the three rounds counting toward the final

award. Each robot round will last for 2 minutes 30 seconds. The round will be started at the referees call

and the robot will be turned off by the referee at the end of the round. Teams will be given a minimum of

10 minutes between rounds.

4.3 Robot Operators

Two members will be allowed at the table during the robot rounds. Additional team members must stand

in the designated area and may tag in and out during the round.

4.4 Scoring of Mission Objects

All scoring of robot missions is based on the location of items at the end of the match. If an item is placed

in scoring position and then moved by the robot, the item will receive the point for the final resting spot at

the end of the match.


5 Missions "Missions" are the definition of what the robot must do to gain points. Missions may be performed individually,

or grouped together within a single program. They are defined as follows:

5.1 Truck Delivery

The robot can bring the truck back to base. The truck in base at the end of the match is worth 15 points. The

truck can be moved to the 4-H Circle at the other side of the field. If any part of the truck is inside the outer

diameter of 4-H Circle the truck will be worth 25 points at the end of the match. If one of the soldiers from the

target area is placed in the driver compartment of the truck and the truck is inside the 4-H Circle, 40 points will

be awarded.

5.1.1 Truck Set-Up Location

5.1.2 Truck Inside of 4-H Circle with Food and Ammunition


5.2 Food and Ammunition Collection

The robot collects the two blue and green pieces of food and the two black pieces of ammunition. Each piece

is worth 5 points if left on the field. The food and ammunition are worth 10 points each in base. Teams may

decide to load the food and ammunition in the truck and send the truck to the 4-H Circle. The food and

ammunition are worth 15 points each if in the truck at the 4-H Circle.

5.2.1 Food and Ammunition Starting Positions

5.3 Water Rescue

Collect the soldiers from the blue life rafts. The blue life raft must remain touching some part of the X that it is

sitting on. Each soldier is worth 20 points in base if the blue life raft remains on the X.

5.3.1 Wounded Soldiers Set-Up Location


5.4 Turret Aiming

The turret is aimed by turning the large tire until the turret is facing the

target. To receive points, the turret must be aligned with the blue line

that leads to the target directly across the board. The two soldiers near

the target must be moved to base by the end of the match in order for

the turret to receive a score of 50 points. Note that the turret will need

to be fastened to the mat with three pieces of dual-lock.

5.4.1 Target Area Set-Up

5.4.2 Turret in Set-Up position

5.4.3 Turret turned to scoring position


5.5 Barrier Transportation

The robot must move the barrier to the "Head" zone on the field. The barrier must be placed so that the soldier is

between the barrier and the side wall of the field and some part of the barrier is inside of the dotted lines. This

mission is worth 50 points.

5.5.1 Soldier in starting position 5.5.2 Barrier in Scoring Position

5.5.3 Barrier is NOT in scoring position


5.6 Aircraft Release

The robot must release the aircraft so that it lands (stops) above the aircraft carrier for 50 points. Both the

aircraft carrier and the piece on the 2X4 rail will need to be fastened with dual-lock.

5.6.1 Aircraft Release Mechanism Set-Up

5.6.2 Aircraft in scoring position


5.7 Disarm the Improvised Explosive Device (IED)

The robot must remove the arming trigger from center of the device. The device must remain upright and some

part must remain in contact with the yellow squares.

5.7.1 Improvised Explosive Device Set-Up

5.8 Robot Touch Penalties

A touch penalty is assessed when one of the team members touches the robot when the robot is completely outside of

the base area. Each time a touch penalty is assessed one of the food or ammunition will be taken away from the field.

Food or ammunition in the original position will be taken first, and then food or ammunition in base, and finally food or

ammunition in the truck delivered to the 4-H clover will be taken away. If a team losses all their food and ammunition, the

team will be assessed 10 points per touch penalty.

6 Team Notebook Each team should document the building of their robot in a journal. Each day that the team meets: record plans

for the day, pictures and diagrams of robot building process, and ending reflections. The notebook will be

shared with the judges during the technical presentation.


7 Mission Point Scoring summary

Mission Description Point Value

5.1

Truck Delivery

The truck will be scored at the end of the game. The score

will be one of the following:

A. The truck in base

B. The truck in the 4-H Circle

C. The truck in the 4-H Circle with one of the soldiers

(from the target area) in the driver compartment

A. 15 points

B. 25 points

C. 40 points

5.2

Food and

Ammunition

Collection

Collect the food and ammunition pieces from

the original starting position and bring them to

base. The food and ammunition can remain in

base or can be put in the truck and delivered

to the 4-H Circle. The food and ammunition

are worth 5 points each if left on the field.

On the field – 5 points each

Total of 20 points

or

In Base – 10 points each

Total of 40 points

or

In the truck at the 4-H Circle

– 15 points each

Total of 60 points

(pieces may be in multiple

places)

5.3

Water Rescue

The robot must rescue the wounded soldiers from the

water and takes them to base.

Wounded Soldiers

20 points per soldier

Total of 40 points

5.4

Turret Aiming The turret is turned to aim at the target. Turret Aimed

50 points

5.5

Barrier

Transport

Deliver the barrier to the Head zone on the field. Barrier Delivered

30 points

5.6

Aircraft Release

The robot must release the aircraft so that the aircraft

lands above the aircraft carrier.

Aircraft Released

50 points

5.7

Disarm IED

Remove the trigger from the center of the device Center piece released

30 points

Total Possible 300 points

2017 air force 4-h robotics...

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