Okay, technically they were doing it for marks, too, but our students go on to become high school technology education (“shop”) teachers in BC. Well, technically they could teach pretty much anywhere, I guess, but there are lots of jobs for them here at home.
Anyway, we used an Arduino for the brain, but you could just as easily use a Cortex, plug in a couple VexPro Victors, add a couple CIM motors and a gearbox and do the same thing.
Anyway, just thought I’d share a thought on what it takes to become a high school tech ed teacher in British Columbia… it’s kind of tough, but a lot of fun, too.
What is the basic parts they get? Is the cost really $100? Thats 4 small motors and not much else.
Is there a link to the rules / contest? I like the concept of “build a bridge”, I think that would make a great VEX “no defense game”. You have the two ramps, and the support struts. The two alliance bots build from each end, both bots have to cross and touch a goal. Each side has enough planks to make it across. Fastest time wins.
Auto would be pushing the two ramps in place.
A new game concept time vs points.
And sorry Jason, love tech-ed, love the PNW, but shaved head isn’t a good look for me.
Please post more about the bot, you missed the and carry a 170lb roboteer
This is really cool! But the $100 price thing is laughable. I’m guessing the news reporter that wrote the story had no idea of what was going on. The tracks alone on that one robot would cost more than $100.
I wouldn’t doubt some of those little forklifts costed $500-$1000 when it was all said and done. (electronics, motors, controllers, wiring, cpu, wheels, metal, gears, wood, nuts, bolts)
They got the story correct… each team was allowed $100 IN ADDITION to the reusable parts… they got an Arduino, two 12V batteries, four Victor Speed controllers, four CIM motors and two Gearboxes along with the switches, fuses and such necessary to hook the system up safely.
They had to budget their $100 for the cost of controllers, wheels, and structural elements… basically all of the “consumables”. The reusable parts are not included as a capital cost as they are amortized over several years of competition.
But yes, the total cost of any one of these vehicles would be in the $500-$1000 range, depending on what day the equipment was purchased and what the exchange rate was that day, whether I factor in taxes and shipping, the cost of hair implants to keep Foster happy, etc.
I’ve got a document called “Big Bots on a Budget” that describes how we built them a couple years ago… I’ll have to post that to my blog at some point.
I’ve uploaded my “Big Bots on a Budget” presentation that explains the control system… check out the link in the last paragraph of this document. http://hbridge.ca/wp/?p=98 It will be fairly basic information to an experienced FRC’er, but might suggest some ways to leverage all the old motors and stuff stored away in the back room and turn it into an off-season project.