[Dprglist] Level 1 Line-following Contest Course

[Carl W Ott Jr]

With respect to the course layouts -

We are about to make printable layout designs for the novice and advanced levels.  These will be sized to fit into the can-can arena.  We intend to follow the same process as was used this spring to reprint the 7’x13’ challenge course.  That means we use Inkscape to create an SVG, then we export PNG suitable for printing.  Then we use a banner printing service in Arlington TX that costs about $1.47 / ft-sq, including (in our case) next day delivery.

Member Ron Grant has also created a pretty cool course layout editor using Processing.  Not exactly sure of status, but it was looking great last spring.  That could make a nice alternative to Inkscape, by removing some manual tedium...

Once we get source files generated, the plan is to fold those into a public Git repo with the contest rules, with the intent to enable better management of contest rules versions, documentation and discussion.

Stay Tuned :)

Carl
DPRG VP & Roborama Wrangler



> On Aug 18, 2018, at 7:13 PM, Doug Paradis via DPRGlist <dprglist at lists.dprg.org> wrote:
> 
> Eric,
>    The club is considering going to a vinyl banner with the course printed on it. The same elements would be used. The advantages of the tiles are that they can be easily reconfigured and they fit together nicely without bumps at the edges of the tiles. I suggest some type of “tile” system to allow for testing all element configurations. Any material with a white background that you can form the line with black electrical tape should work. Generally the course is laid out at the competition by one of the judges. Typically the course has at least 2 dual curve squares, several curves, and one longer straight section.
> The club has not had any remote competitors in awhile. However, if we could establish a telepresence via the internet that would be cool. There might be other methods to make work. If you have ideas let us know.
> 
> Hiking in the Maine woods,
> Doug P.
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Aug 18, 2018, at 3:43 PM, Eric Yundt via DPRGlist <dprglist at lists.dprg.org> wrote:
>> 
>> DPRG,
>> 
>> I'm about to build a line-following course for our Rayo Pinky-Pie robot and figured I might as well build one to DPRG's spec in case we are able to remotely compete in an upcoming Line Following contest.  Referring to what I think are the current rules (version: 20171111) the 3 elements are described nicely on 12"x12" squares, straight lines, curves, double-curve w/6" radius curves, and the length is described as approximately 300 inches.  From reviewing the Roborama 2015a video and a 2015 Line Following Workshop video, it looks like the courses were composed of:
>> 
>>     Roborama 2015a:  4x8 squares - 6 straights, 24 curves (total length ~298")
>>     2015 Workshop: 6x6 squares - 12 straights, 22 curves (total length ~351")
>> 
>> How is the Novice course decided upon and how many straight, curve, and double-curve elements should we make to be able to replicate whatever course is laid down for Roborama 2018b?  Is the Novice course always on 4x8 squares?  We can build a course out of 122cm x 244cm plywood, or 30cm x 30cm ceramic tile -- I've never seen the vinyl squares you have been using anywhere in Costa Rica.  I'd probably go with 6mm plywood which is sold in 122cm x 244cm sheets to match up with the standard 4' x 8' USA plywood and use black 19mm PVC electrical tape.
>> 
>> As far as competition is concerned, are remote competitors still allowed?  I recall back in some early Roboramas we did allow long-distance competitors to compete, but that was 20 years ago.  We're going to do this anyway, but I think our kids (and maybe fledgling Robot Club) would get a kick out of building for a real competition in los EE.UU.
>> 
>> What do you think?  Can I get some official guidance on this?
>> 
>> Thanks,
>> 
>> Eric
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