ROBORAMA 2008a SPONSORS

RoboRama 2008a

IMPORTANT NOTE: There have been some last minute changes in location for RoboRama 2008.A. The indoor events will be held at the Science Place in Fair Park as originally planned, however the outdoor events will be held in the parking lot of the nearby Northway Christian Church. For the lastest information and updates, please see the DPRG mailing list.
LOCATION:	Fair Park, 1318 2nd Avenue Dallas, Texas 75210
EVENTS:	Indoor events: Quick-Trip, Slalom
DATE:	10 May 2008
TIME:	Contest starts at noon
LOCATION:	Northway Christian Church 7202 W. Northwest Highway Dallas, Texas 75225 Map and Directions (Google Maps)
EVENTS:	Outdoor: Out and Back, Borenstein Square, Obstacles, Long Haul
DATE:	10 May 2008
TIME:	Contest starts after indoor events complete

Outdoor Robot Challenge Events

Summary: Developed by David P. Anderson to help robot builders test and improve the navigational abilities of their robots. For complete details on the purpose, environment, and rules of these outdoor robot events, take a look at the link below this summary.

Out and Back - Drive from the origin to a point at least 100 feet away and back to the origin and stop. Distance is then measured from the stopping place to the origin. Shortest distance wins.
Borenstein Square - Drive from the origin around a square 100 feet on each side, clockwise or counter-clockwise as instructed by the judge, and stop at the origin. Distance is then measured from the stopping place to the origin. Shortest distance wins.
Obstacles - Drive from the origin to a point at least 100 feet away and back to the origin, with obstacles in the way. Distance from the stopping point to the origin is then measured. Shortest distance wins.
Long Haul - Drive from an origin point across the contest grounds to a point 500 to 1000 feet away, (to be determined at contest time) and back to the origin. Distance from stopping place to origin is then measured. Shortest distance wins.

Complete Outdoor Robot Challenge Rules and Description

Indoor Robot Challenge Events

Summary: Developed Eric Sumner as an alternative to previous DPRG indoor contests that relied on a physical course. Eric's goal is to try an event that relies on nothing more than a flat, open space and a few traffic cones.

Quick Trip - Robots race in head-to-head eliminations. Fastest robot wins.
```
	Start                          Finish
	      
         1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2


             O               O               O


         3 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4
	
```
The course will consist of 3 traffic cones in a line placed 8 feet apart. Robots will compete head-to-head in a single-elimination competition. Each robot must start completely behind the first cone, travel completely beyond the third cone, and then come to a stop behind the first cone again. The first robot to do this wins the match. In each pairing, the first robot to win two matches advances to the next round.
Slalom - Robots must traverse path around three orange cones. Fastest robot wins.
```
	 Start
	    1 - - - -       - - - - -       - - - - -
	             \   /           \   /           \
	              \ /             \ /             \
		O      X        O      X       O       )
	              / \             / \             /
	             /   \           /   \           /
	    2 - - - -       - - - - -       - - - - -
	  Finish
	
```
The course will consist of 3 traffic cones in a line placed 8 feet apart. Robots will compete individually; the fastest single run time will be the winner. Each robot must start completely behind the first cone, travel completely beyond the third cone, and then come to a stop behind the first cone again. Additionally, the robot must cross the line of cones between each pair of cones it passes.

Prizes and Sponsors

A-WIT Technologies, Inc.

A-WIT Technologies, Inc donated a full robot Kit based on their C Stamp microcontroller.
Budget Robotics

Gordon McComb's Budget Robotics donated a robot kit
Circuit Cellar Magazine

Circuit Cellar magazine donated 6 CD-ROM back-issue archive sets. Each set includes 12 CDs containing all back issues of Circuit Cellar.
Hitec RCD

Hitec RCD donated 2 HSR-5980R robot servos and 6 HSR-1425CR continuous rotation servos.
Make Magazine

Make Magazine donated a one year subscription to Make Magazine, a "Make: The First Year" boxed set, a "Make: Year Three" boxed set, one of copy of "Best of Make", and a some cool Make t-shirts
Parallax, Inc.

Parallax donated a Toddler robot kit.
Small Parts, Inc.

Small Parts donated a PanaVise set, Starrett 6" digital caliper, wire harness tool kit, and HSS 20 piece drill bit set.
Tin Can Tools
3301 Clubview Drive
Denton, TX 76226

Local microcontroller manufacturer, Tin Can Tools, donated a complete Hammer ARM9 kit including Hammer board, Hammer carrier, and Flyswatter board along with cables, power supply
David P. Anderson
will provide special award medals to winners of the outdoor events.

Results

Check back after the contest!