ROBOTICS CHALLENGE
WELCOME TO THIS YEAR’S CHALLENGE!
We have a really exciting challenge for you this year with an environmental theme. Everything you need to do is outlined in The Challenge Guide. There are two things to do first: SETUP THE ROBOT CHALLENGE and RUN THROUGH THE TASKS. We have produced two videos to help you with this. They also feature some useful ‘extra’ tips – so probably worth watching more than once!
SETUP THE ROBOT CHALLENGE MAT
In this video we set up the Robot Challenge Mat – showing you where to put things and how to secure the ramp to the mat. Remember, all the details are also included in The Challenge Guide.
THE TASKS
Here is a quick run through of all the Tasks – using an EV3 and a hand! You can do all the tasks in any order, except for Task A (which should be done first) and Task H (which should be done last). Remember – you might not attempt all the tasks. Make a plan…
UPDATES AND ANSWERS…
Q: Will there be a physical wall around the mat when we go to the Competition heat?
A: Not necessarily – but there could be! So keep your robot within the mat. There is a guideline around the edge of the mat.
Q: Does the robot need to come back down the ramp?
A: No. Once the robot has got to the line marked on the ramp you can leave it there!
Q:There are thing like rivers on the mat – do you have to avoid them?
A: No. Those features are just for decoration.
SUPPORT VIDEOS
We have made new videos to support MINDSTORMS and SPIKE Prime. You can access these at: https://roboticschallenge.org.uk
If you are still using the old MINDSTORMS software there are some videos here (but, if you can, I would recommend upgrading to the new software). They are not the solutions (you have to find those!) but they should help you make a good start. Here at Raising Robots we like to build quick robots that can lift things and sense things. Here is how we do it…
A GREAT QUICK-BUILD ROBOT…
We love quick-build robots! Grab a few LEGO MINDSTORMS pieces and three or four minutes later you have a great robot. It will soon be charging around on the Robot Challenge Mat!
LIFTING AND GRABBING, WITH THE MEDIUM MOTOR
Add an extra dimension to your robot with the Medium Motor. The Medium Motor means that you can develop your robot in to one that can lift and grab objects. So cool and ideal for some of the Robot Challenge Mat tasks…
SENSING THINGS, WITH THE COLOUR SENSOR
Add a sensor to transform your robot! Sensors give your robot some amazing abilities. Here we will use the Colour Sensor to allow your robot to make some of it’s own decisions!
GREAT SUPPORT FROM LEGO EDUCATION IN YOUR SOFTWARE
DESKTOP:
From the LOBBY (the starting page), go to ROBOT EDUCATOR and there are lots of TUTORIALS in BASICS and BEYOND BASICS. Why not practise on a few?
TABLET:
On the front screen, click the arrow to the right – this will take you to the ROBOT EDUCATOR TUTORIALS. These are really useful!
