Fetch The Golf Ball Contest

On Feb. 6, 1971 Apollo 14 astronaut Alan Shepard, yes the first American in space, May 5 1961, hit 2 golf balls with an improvised golf club. One of the balls flew an estimated 400 yards, maximum theoretical distance of a golf ball on the moon is 2.5 miles. There, some real history and physics to mull over and wonder why we don’t go to the moon anymore.

The contest proposal follows. NASA wants one of those balls returned, that is not true, but they are planning a sample return mission, to support this mission the contest is to be as follows. An orange practice golf ball will be placed 10 meters down the hall, the ball will be sitting on a piece of PVC pipe between 1 and 5 cm tall. The goal is simple go down the hall pick up the ball and return it to a box. The sides of the box must be at least 3.5 cm tall and no larger than 100 cm^2 on the bottom, no dimension on the box is to be larger than 10 cm. Yes you probably want to build your own box.

Autonomous robots only, maximum time allowed 5 minutes 3 attempts for each robot, no tethers, and no interaction with the robot after the start line is crossed.

Scoring:

Crossing in front of the start line once the contest starts -50 points. Any modifications performed to the environment of the hall -50 points. Getting the ball and returning it successfully and putting it in the box 100 points not to mention the admiration of the entire society.

Robot returns the ball but doesn’t get it in the box 75 points. Robot knocks the ball off the PVC and the robot returns to start without the ball, 50 points.

Robot picks up the ball but does not return, 50 points.

Robot knocks the ball off the PVC and does not return 25 points.

Robot misses the ball and does not return, 0 points, condolences and support from club members and the IWAH trophy.

Robot must travel at least 5 meters toward the ball to be eligible for points or prizes.

In the case of a tie the lighter robot wins, if both robots are the same weight the smaller box wins.

Find the Blob in the Hall Contest Rules - (3 Blob Version)

These are the contest rules and previous contests photos for the Grid Navigation Contest to be held at RSSC meetings.

An ant can lift something like 25 times it’s weight.  How about a robot contest to test the ability to lift a weight, relative to it’s own weight.  So a LEGO robot would have an equal chance of lifting a weight relative to itself, just as a 10 pound robot would.  Contestants need to bring their “lifted object” to the contest.  This “object” can be modified or set on a pedestal to adapt to the robot lifting method.  A lifting method such as a crane or fork-lift is OK.