Robogamez 2008 - The photo as promised

Here are some pictures I manage to snap before the Robogamez starts. During the competition, my NOKIA are out of battery







The Banner Located in front of DSS (Dewan Sri Sarjana)

The unsolved paths aka maze for school Category, Looks simple, please note that all the four maze are identical or mirrored image. The winner of each round is the one whose robot can enter the maze and able to go out from the maze. can you see the entry and the exit door?

This one is more tricky right? .. this is for UNITEN category.. more complex , meaning the maze robor should be more intelligent..











No picture for OPEN Category.. at time this photo was taken, the maze for open category is not up yet... Ohh.. given below is one of the robot.. Personally I like this robot.

Why I like this robot?

1. The height - It is lowered .. the robot is stable.
   
2. There are 2 type of sensors used - 3 infrared sensor (can detect the junction) and 2 mechanical switch, to detect whether the robot accidentally touch the wall.
3. There are two tires.. I guess the owner of this robot used differential drive technique.
   

The hardware part I think is more than enough .. It is up to the algorithm part!

Oh BTW, before the tournament one of the participant asking me , why his robot is not working.. (he use distance sensor). This is some of the tip I gave him (me giving tips?? - I didn't even have a mobile robot) :

1. Whether it is maze robot or line follower robot, the basic concept is simple, the robot designed should be able to recognize its location, "where I am now?" - it is at the straight path? junction? End of the maze? , and then take action based on the location. Whether to go forward, left , right or backward, etc.
   
2. Since the robot is equipped with the distance sensor which is based on infrared, the sensor must be calibrated according to the surrounding...
   
3. The last tip - Good Luck and don't give up!!

Alright that's all - still feel a little bit regret for missing to watch the open category.. :-(

Robogamez 2008 - Missed the Open Category

Last Saturday, I missed to watch Robogamez 2008, just managed to see UNITEN category on Friday .. My friend told me that it was quite happening gamez.. quite a shock when UTM doesnt get even third place.. UTM (Universiti Teknologi Malaysia) team was quite strong in last previous years ! UPM (Universiti Putra Malaysia) emerged as the winner!!

Ohh. Sorry for not mentioning.. The ROBOGAMEZ is actually an annual event organized by UNITEN Mobile Robot Club . The tournament usually divided into three category , Open Category which are open to Universities and Higher Learning Institution in Malaysia, the School category, and the UNITEN category exclusively for UNITEN student.

The theme for this year is " Challenge of Unsolved Path " - Maze Solver Robot. (Last year - Line follower robot) . I dont intend to explain more about the event. Please visit www.robogamez.com for further information. The www.robogamez.com also include Support and Workshop , have a visit, you will find out that building a mobile robot is quite easy!

Congratulations to the Mobile Robot Club UNITEN and the "never-tired" staff to make the event successful.

I heard that for ROBOGAMEZ 2009 , the theme will be "Fighting Robot" - Is it boxing? Sumo? Hopefully I won't miss the event again!

I have a picture showing the maze , and a robot designed by UNITEN student, it is in my NOKIA phone.. I'll upload later!