CS 444 - Week 13 Lecture 1 - 2015-04-21
setting the GROUNDWORK for the SumoBot project
* Ground Rules!
[BUT these have been modified since -- SEE the LATEST/CURRENT list
under IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS section of public course web site!]
* common design constraints:
* each robot must be made from the parts from
only one kit
* during each match, each brick must be using
a rechargeable battery
* each robot must be programmed using
leJOS only
* robots must be completely autonomous
once the match starts --
any kind of remote control or human
interaction after that is forbidden
* (for example, human actions to calibrate
the sensors right before the match are
fine and encouraged)
* SumoBots will compete on the provided
oval white field coliseum, with a black boundary
* two of these will be available for
testing throughout the project
* "ring" will refer to the oval white part
* "coliseum" will refer to the board as a whole
* to start a match, two SumoBots are placed in
that ring, on one of the little "stars"
* only TWO robots at a time participate in
a match
* if a part of a robot touches the ground
OUTSIDE of the coliseum, the match is ended
* if neither robot has caused the match to end
in a given time limit [to be determined!],
the match ends in a draw [probably]
* a robot that is flipped over,
and/or becomes unable to maneuver,
ends a match
* the GOAL is push or lift your opponent
so it is out of bounds or cannot maneuver --
* that is, this is SUMO wrestling-based!!
[NOT professional-wrestling-WWE-type-based!]
HOWEVER...
* a robot may not drop parts,
accidentally or deliberately
* if a robot drops a part, that ends the match
* NO violent behaviors are allowed
* if it looks like the goal is to
damage the other robot or its
parts, the match will be considered
ended
* robots may NOT "beat up" on each
other
* (if a robot loses a part during an
acceptable maneuver...?
...that will generally end the
match, generally in favor of the
non-part-losing robot.
for a NON-acceptable maneuver?
...it's the opposite!)
* it is the JUDGE's discretion what
is too violent, acceptable, etc.
* I will post the possibly-evolving rules prominently
on the course web site
(yes, that means I might refine them,
I do not intend to add nasty twists --
unless I must...)
-------------------
some STARTING tips/suggestions/etc.,
which you will HOPEFULLY add to in your research!
* Scott Burgess has noted:
* three basic strategies seem to work well:
* SPEED
* STRENGTH
* SMARTS
* in his experience? while a robot MIGHT
be successful with only 1 of the first
2, it almost certainly WON'T be successful
without the 3rd!
* Tradeoffs...
* [eep, we may need discuss GEARING briefly..]
* there are TRADEOFFS to consider in your
design possibilities...
* for example:
* power vs. speed
* size (bigger? smaller? optimal dimensions?)
* weight (lighter? heavier?)
* complexity (maybe get something working,
then refine?)
* time to program
* something to consider: what are your team's
strengths?
* a good strategy might include
putting greater effort into those aspects
your team is best at...
* Scott noted:
Sun Tzu noted that you had to find your enemy
in order to defeat him --
HERE, you should use sensor or sensors
to detect your opponent!
* note the strengths and weaknesses of
the kit's sensors!
* how many sensors make sense to use?
* Robot Sumo is practiced WIDELY,
* it is ENCOURAGED (see the current individual
assignment!) to look for and research for
ideas/strategies/etc.!
* (please do attribute your sources, though!)
* (yes, that DOES mean you CAN use a design
from the web or ACM Digital Library! BUT
attribute it)
* TEST. YOUR. ROBOT.
* see the posted additional suggestions
from SuGObot.com...
* Torque -
Torque = Force * Radius
* the turning force that the motors apply to
the wheels
* the trick is to put it to good use!