NEWS: The design of the steering for this year’s robot will be an articulated mechanism using variable motor speeds and a potentiometer for fine control. See the animation below for an example. Picture on right is a rough drawing.

30 Second Video of ROBOT in ACTION (1.4mb)

Current Robotic Projects

The Design

Changes to design. 4x4, articulated body w/ 4 drive motors (2 front & 2 back), split axels front & back, crate stack stealing/stacking/pushing capability.

Pneumatic Design

Will open and close arms with one cylinder and raise up and down with another

Play Strategy

Attack the stack, steal crates if possible and concentrate on defense

Driving Strategy

With software customization, the driver can press a button and drive in reverse, using the joystick as if he is driving forward.

Funding

Just an update on our $ situation for the future. I sent the CD-Rom video solicitation packages to Butler Machinery, Microsoft Business Solutions (Great Plains Division), MinnKota Power, Pepsi Corp. and Emerado-Arvilla Lions Club.

I called Butler- they will review it soon

Microsoft Business Solutions- no second contact yet

Pepsi Corp.- they sounded good and it was forwarded to corporate offices

MinnKota Power- they will look at it soon, sounded like they liked it.

I also called Bryce(Jared Leavy's uncle) again, who got us the $1000 from Nat'l guard for uniforms last year. He will contact the recruiter who made the decision last year and ask again (maybe I will, too)

We have so far

$10,000 NASA grant

$3200 EdTech grant

$2400 Engelstad Cleanup

$1000 Northwood Booster Club

Next year we will need funding if we are to continue. If anyone has a good idea for a sponsor, let Jill or Mike Vogelwede know about it.