Hallway Maze

Traveling through the school and arriving to class on time can be quite the challenge. Navigating the maze of the hallways is often an activity one does with friends. This is a group challenge, and each group will have three members. One member will be traveling to ELA class, one member will be traveling to Math class, and one member will be traveling to Civics class.

In this event, robots will navigate an obstacle course using the touch sensors, long leads and Program #2 on the RCX. Robots will be awarded points for successfully passing through a series of "gates." Scoring is based on speed and accuracy. Robots must successfully navigate the obstacle course in the shortest amount of time. If a vehicle moves a gate off its tape mark, 2 seconds will be added to the total time. Teams must attempt all gates. If a vehicle completely misses a gate, 10 seconds will be added to the total time. Gates will be 5 inches high and 1 foot apart. Course size is 8 ft x 15 ft. An average will be taken of the three scores that each member of the group received.

***Note: the area of Northeastern where the Robotics Olympics will be held this year is carpeted. The carpet is a low-pile industrial type carpet. Students should take the carpeting into account when designing and testing their robots. Utilizing gears in place of tires is one possible strategy.

Judging Procedure:

1. Judges/ referees should be positioned at the course (one person will time each team and one person will watch the obstacles).
2. Each team will have two chances to complete the course. (encourage teams to allow a different member to drive for each trial)
3. Judges/ referees should make sure all obstacles (pink cardboard columns) are carefully lined up with the inside edge of the tape marks before each run. The columns should form a 1 foot wide gate.
4. Vehicles should start in the center of the start line, with the edge of their front-most wheel on the start line.
5. Their partner (or a referee if the team consists of only one student) should press the red "On" button on their vehicle.
6. Their partner (or referee) should make sure their vehicle is set on Program #2.
7. The driver should keep their touch sensors pushed in so the vehicle remains stationary and then their partner (or referee) should press the green "Run" button.
8. The referee/ judge should give the "GO" command and begin timing students as soon as they begin driving their vehicle. Stop timing as soon as the vehicle crosses the finish line.
9. Remember, accuracy is being judged, so 2 seconds should be added to the total time every time a vehicle moves an obstacle off its tape mark.
10. If a vehicle completely misses a gate, 10 seconds should be added to the total time.
11. Complete the rubric for each team.
12. After each team has competed, complete the results sheet and hand in to the scorer's table.

Rubric: