Introduction
This year’s EAST ZONE DSTA-DSO robotics challenge requires us to build a team of robots to compete against an opposing team in a game of robot soccer. The objective of the challenge is to score as many points as possible during the soccer match, with each match lasting 5 minutes. Teams may deploy as many robots as they can fit into a 40cm x 40cm square.
The Robot
The robot’s design must be fast, small and efficient in order for us to have the edge over our opponents. Being fast allows us to outrun our opponent or to block the tennis ball heading into our goal. For the robot to be fast, it has to be light, and small.
Having small robots means we have more maneuverability. Small robots can negotiate obstacles better than larger robots, in this case, the obstacles being five bricks in the middle of the field. Not only does being small enable us to get past the bricks, it also helps us get past our opponents’ robots. Building smaller robots allows us to deploy more robots into the playing field, as long as they can fit into the 40cm x 40cm square. But there are the disadvantages of being small too. If there happens to be a one -on- one confrontation with another opponent’s robot, and if that robot is much bigger than yours, the bigger robot will surely be able to overpower the smaller robot.
There is no point being fast and agile if the robot is not efficient. Efficiency can mean many things, like how the robot performs, how efficient is it in scoring, in defending .etc. For the robot to be really efficient as a scorer, a kicker may be incorporated into the design of the robot, to help it take long, far shots. Robots put in the defending role may have extendable arms, to block off attackers. Velcro can be used to maximize the robot’s control over the tennis ball. The robot must also be easy to control. If the robot is too complicated to control, the chance of the player fumbling in the game is higher. Being able to outrun, outmaneuver and outclass the opponent is a must if we want to win.
The Design Process
Before we jump straight into building, we went through the rules thoroughly. If we want to win, we must know the game well. We went through the rules, looking for certain points that will affect the way we build our robot. For example, the rule states that competing robots must NOT be designed in such a way that the ball is enclosed by the robot’s body at any time.
After going through the rules, we sat down to think through our robot’s design. One of the main concerns we how many robots can we fit into the 40cm x 40cm square. Since we are using VEX robotics systems, there is a limit in how small our robot can go. We finally came to a conclusion that we can fit in a maximum of four robots into the square.
Another one of our main concerns is the design of the kicker. The kicker is one of the most important parts of the robot. Many designs for the kicker were thought up of. Most of them were discarded as they were either not possible to build or they did not meet our standards. We wanted the kicker to be able to shoot from far. Some of the kicker designs that we used in our robot during the competition were codenamed the “flipper” and the “spinner”.
We also had to decide on what type of gear ratio we need. Speed is essential in this game. So we opted to use a speed gear ratio for our wheels. We used the gear ratios 7:3 and 3:1 to power our robot’s movement. We used the standard for most of our robots. Using the standard wheel helps us cut down the size and the weight of the robot.
The design process is a very crucial part of the preparation. One small design flaw could cause undesirable effects in the field. We design not only to be able to play the game. We design to win the game.
Planning our strategy
Having a good robot is not enough. We have to work out a good game plan, and we must follow it if we want to win. In a game of football, having a game plan is vital. In the game, you will know what to do with a plan in your mind. Teamwork is also very important. There is no point having one good player, but the other players are not supporting him. If a player is assigned to a role, he has to follow according to the plan and he should help his teammates in need.
Sizing up our opponent is also very important. It affects the way we plan our strategy. We should not be complacent and judge other teams based on their robot design. Even with a lousy robot, a skilled controller can turn the whole game around.
Playing the Game
We must be able to keep our composure during the game. If you are calm and confident you are more likely to win than if you are nervous. This is an area where we need to improve on. Many a times we fumbled due to our nervousness.
Skill is also another important thing. Our strategy might go wrong if the players are not good in their handling. This part is where we need improvement on. Most of our time in preparation was taken up by building our robots. We did not have any time to actually practice our handling skills. There were times where we fumbled due to our lack of experience in controlling.
When playing the game, we must make sure that we do not make any unnecessary contact with the opponents’ teams’ robot. We can only engage our opponent only if they have the ball in their possession.
We have to focus in the game and not be distracted. The ball is not the only thing that you need to focus on. We have to keep a constant eye on our opponents’ robots. How they move, and can we counteract their movements, how can we block their incoming attack. We must be able to think on our feet in these kinds of situations.
When we play, we must always be mindful, and keep our comments to ourselves. Whenever we win a game or when we score, we have to be humble, and not get overconfident because we won.
Areas of improvement
We must learn how to manage our time well, as we spent far too much time building and too little time practicing our handling. We should we more stringent in our checking of our robot. Make sure that all the cap nuts are tight and that the robot is always off when not in use. We should be more gracious to our opponents and show sportsmanship when we play, whether we win or lose. We must learn to follow instructions given to us, and not do our way without confirmation from your teacher. Time was wasted before due to miscommunication between teacher and student. This is a plain example telling us that listening skills are important.
Report done by: David Pereira
