Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: The Flag.

"To complete the course the robot must pick up the flag at the middle of the course and make it
stand at the last platform in the target area.  Each team must come up with their own flag design."  

Whoa, come up with our own flag design?  Does that just mean the graphic that will be on the
flag?  Or does that mean the flag's shape and complete physical design?  If so, shouldn't there be
rules on the flag design?  Either way, could I have some more information on the flag?

What are the flag constraints and what are its properties?

Does the flag count as a component of the robot? (Are we allowed to have 2 components + the flag?)

Do we get to design the Flag pole?

Can the Flag remain attached to the robot, or does it have to be dropped on the course and be totally unattached from the robot.  Would it be sufficient to have the flag over the target and have a thin piece of the robot in-between it and the course?

Could you consider removing the lines that are illustrated to surround the flag and leave just the center line leading to the flag?

Answer:

Yes, this means that you must completely design the flag.  This includes the complete physical design from the base to the top and a banner with your team name.  As of now, the only restrictions on the flag are that it must be at least 5 inches tall and the flag must have a clearly identifiable base section and top section.  This is to ensure the flag is standing upright at the end of the match.  The properties of this flag and pole are left open for your team to decide and strategize. 

The flag does not count as another component of your robot since you will have to pick it up in the middle and drop it at the end.  When you drop the flag, in order for your robot to count as ‘completing the course’ (see Question 2) no part of the robot may be in contact with the flag.  Sorry, we will not remove the box around the flag on the first platform.

Question 2:  Clarification on completing the course.

"In order to complete the course, the robot must come to a complete stop, and place the flag on
the target area.  The robot must release the flag to complete the course."  

Can the flag be placed anywhere in the target?  Or just in the middle?  Or in the middle for more points than the edges?   Define releasing the flag, please.   For instance, if the robot drops the flag and it stands in the target area, leaning on the robot to stay upright, is that released?

What is winning, agent just the target/finishing line, or the flag at the finishing line/target? (consider various permutations please)

Answer:

In order to complete the course, your robot must be able to release your flag on top of the target area and have its flag stand up without touching the robot.  The flag can be dropped anywhere on the target.  No value is given to a drop in the middle vs. a drop on an outside circle of the target.  If your robot gets to the last platform and drops the flag upright on the target and the flag is able to stand on its own, you have completed the course.  If your robot reaches the last platform and is unable to drop its flag, or drops the flag off the target, or drops the flag on the target but the flag does not stand up straight, or does not stand up on its own, or is knocked down by your robot before your robot comes to a complete stop, your robot will not have ‘completed’ the course but will be credited for navigating to the end.

Question 3: The Starting Block.

"The robot can start anywhere on the assigned area."  

What is the assigned area?  The whole first black area at the bottom of the ramp?  A square marked off by tape? Something else?

Where is the starting point/line/plane/hyper plane?

Are you allowed to dynamically reprogram the agent at the start based on the course assignment?

Answer:

The starting black will be a small platform made from a sheet of wood with the dimensions of 1.5’ x 1.5’.  It will be located at the bottom of the first ramp.  You can place your robot anywhere on the starting block before the round.  The official start point/line/plane will be the bottom of the 2.5’ up-ramp.  All forward progress will be measured from that point regardless of where on the starting block your robot originally was.  Sorry, a dynamic reprogramming will not be allowed before the start of a round.  You will be told which side you will be on and expected to put your robot down and press one button to start the match.

Question 4: Course Boundaries and Flying Bots.

 "At all times, any part of the robot is not allowed to touch the ground.  If it does, then the
round for that robot is over."  

I'm guessing this is a boundary rule, but could you clarify?  Are the non-ramp parts of the course going to be slightly raised or something?  What is ground?

What are the explicit boundaries of the course, i.e. is out of bounds defined by the edges of the course outlined, or could one take a direct flight from flag to target?

Does the robot have to maintain contact with the course at all times, or can you jump or fly
over parts of it?

Answer:

The ground will be defined as the ground floor of the Ford Machine Shop.  All sections of this course will be on a sheet of wood, including ‘The Challenge’.  Therefore, if any part of your robot comes in contact with the ground during the round, your round will be considered done and your robot will not be allowed to continue. 

Your robot does not need to maintain constant contact with the course.  Jumping and flying are always welcome, as long as you can stay within all the other rules of the course.  That being said, a direct flight from flag to target would not work because you must have the weight of your robot supported by each section of the course.

Question 5: Optical Lines.

Are the lines going to be the way they look in the picture, as far as right angles, straight
lines, and curved lines?

Could you provide a sample of the course with the white line as will be painted?  A 3x5 notecard sample would be very helpful.

Any preventative measures to prevent a line follower built from a kit to enter the race?

Answer:

Yup.  Right angles, straight lines, and curved lines will all be on the course.  We will be more than happy to provide a small sample of the paint being used on the course to any team who may want one.  This can be made available in January after we buy paint.  We will not be taking any measures to prevent kit built bots from entering the competition.  However, historically these bots have not been very successful and keep in mind the DC Faculty Committee will have the final say when determining grades for robot construction and design.

Question 6: Robot Dimensions.

What is the robot size and is it allowed to extend?

Answer:

The robot dimensions are limited to 12”x12”x12”.  It is allowed to extend as long as it remains within the original dimensions at the start of the race.