Robotics - Sumo Wrestlers

Assessment Details

Brief:

You are to design and build a robot using the provided Lego Mindstorm kits that will compete in a sumo wrestling competition.

You will work in teams of 2-3 to complete this project. Each team member will have a designated role but will be expected to contribute to the design and construction of the robot in a meaningful way.

Each team will create and maintain a web based journal for recording progress and modifications throughout the design process. Each team member will be expected to contribute to this record.

You have 4-5 weeks of class time to complete the robot. The project will end in a class competition to find the most successful robot.

Robot Sumo Wrestling Rules:

1. The competition will consist of a series of knockout rounds until two finalists emerge. The winner of the finals will be determined the winner of the competition.
2. Each round will consist of three matches.
3. Two robots per match.
4. Matches will begin with the competing robots facing each other.
5. One designated team member will activate the robot and hold it until the match official indicates the match has started.
6. The winning robot will be determined as the one who successfully maneuvers the opposition over the edge of the match ring.
7. The losing robot will be determined by any part that touches the ground crossing over the edge of match ring.
8. A tie will be determined if neither robot wins or both are incapacitated. In the event of a tie the winner will be decided by the number of previous wins.
9. All robots must have at least one part touching the ground.
10. The match ring will be constructed of a black ring with a white center. There will also be a white area outside the match ring.
11. The match officals' decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into.

Requirements

You need to provide the following elements:

Brief documentation that includes:

• An overview that describes the project in summary, the purpose of the robot and the development process (in summary)
• Research that identifies:
  • existing uses of robots
  • requirements of robots: reliability, obedience, strength, ability for contextual learning
  • how robots interact with humans, AI, issues with self-awareness
  • components to be used in the sumo robot (Touch sensor, Light sensor, Gears, Wheels).
• A list of components required to build the robot. This should include a list of the key mechanical elements and the software you will use to programme the robot.
• The role of each member in the group each with a list of tasks to complete
• A budget: includes time and money ($80/hour)
• A plan of time allocation of each group member
• Planning for the print material including: target audience, concept sketches, tasks and milestones

Concept Design:

• Sketches and notes that outline and justify a final solution based on research and exploration
• STAIR documentation that identifies the logic required for the robot to achieve the set task

Testing and Evaluation:

• Test plan that includes functional testing
• Final test results documented
• A final check that verifies the robot meets the requirements of the brief and is well constructed and robust

Web Site:

• A journal that records progress: date, name of reporter, progress report, modifications made, future plans, photo (if relevant)
• An evaluation of the final solution that:
  • Verifies the robot is capable of accomplishing the set task
  • Verifies the robot is not hazardous to people, itself or other robots (ie. It should not destroy the other robot)

Print advertising for Robot:

• Folded document
• Includes at least one photo of the final robot
• Outlines the features of the final robot

A final robot that has:

• Passed all requirements of 4 Mini Tasks
• Successfully completed the main set task
• Been tested and modified

Timesheet

• Completed timesheets that report on each member's time spent on the project and related tasks
• Weekly reports that identify resourcing and milestone issues

Resources

• Rescue Robots
• Isaac Asimov: Three Laws of Robotics
• Cutting it - Intelligent robots in the meat industry