Maine's 2008 Maine Robot Track Meets

Southern Maine Robot Track Meet
May 3rd, 2008 9:00 am
Auburn Middle School Gymnasium/Cafeteria
Sponsored by Auburn's Community
Learning Center (CLC).
Results (Excel)
Press Release (Word)
Auburn Middle School
1st Place Meet Champions: Prowling Panthers
from Pownal
2nd Place Meet Champions: Pownal Panthers
(yes both from Pownal)
Congratulations to the 15 teams and 82 children
who came and competed!

Northern Maine Robot Track Meet
May 10th, 2008 9:00 am
Field House - Maine Maritime Academy, Castine
Sponsored by the Maine Maritime Academy
For map & directions:
Maine Maritime Academy
Results (Excel)
Press Release (Word)
1st Place Meet Champions: NXT Generation from Tremont
2nd Place Meet Champions: Charlotte Rockin' Robots

The Maine Robot Track Meet is designed to
be accessible and affordable for all size teams.
We believe a team of one should be able to
compete as well as a team of 30.

NOTE:  The Official Description (rules) was last updated 3/19/2008

Official Description of the 2008 Track Meet (PPT 1.8Mb) (PDF 550kb)
TreadBot Building Directions (PDF 450kb)
TreadBot Parts List (PDF)

2008 Registration File (WORD)  (PDF)
Participant Release Form (WORD) (PDF)

Payments accepted in the form of check, Purchase Order, or online payment through
our MR Shopping Page

Open to all children currently enrolled in grades 3 to 8.  Teams must be coached by
an adult over 18 who is approved by the school or organization sponsoring the team.

Teams may be of any number of children and each team may compete in one,
several, or all of the events.  However, each team may only enter seven events (once
in each of the seven events, or seven robots in one event, or any combination).  If you
have lots of robots to compete you will need to register more teams from your group,
but the cost is the same.

Each team builds robots (or bridge) before coming to the track meet and pits their
creations against the creations of other teams.  Full rules and descriptions are
posted above in the Official Description.

The Maine Robot Track Meet is designed to evaluate finished products in the form of
robot performance.
    In this respect it is very much like a track meet.
    Robots may be of any shape or variety as long as they meet the robot rules.
    Programming, individual building styles, team work, or other important
    aspects are NOT part of the MRTM.  All criteria are based on the ability of
    the robot or construction to perform under specific challenges.

    The events:
  1. The slope climber:  Build a robot that can climb the steepest slope (up to 80
    degrees from horizontal).  If more than one robot can make it up the steepest
    slope, then the fastest to do it wins!  (video)
  2. The table navigator:  Build a robot that can move around a table top without
    falling off.  This robot must use sensors to identify the edge of the table to keep
    from falling off.  Robot must move around and sense all 4 sides of the table
    without falling off, the fastest robot to do this wins!
  3. The Delivery Mission:  Build and program a robot to deliver a LEGO object to
    a designated location on the field.  Score is a combination of time and
    placement.  New event.
  4. The fastest robot:  The only goal here is to make a robot that can go straight
    for 15 feet, pass through a four foot goal, and do it faster than anyone else!  
    Sound easy?  Let's see what people come up with.
  5. The strongest robot:  Build a robot that can pull a lot of weight!  How much?  
    Let's start with 10 pounds and go up to 60 pounds.  If more than one can pull
    60 pounds for 2 feet, then it will be the one that can do it fastest.
  6. The strongest bridge:  Build a non-robotic LEGO bridge that spans 2 feet.  
    Start loading it down with weight (up to 60 pounds) until the bridge fails or you
    reach 60 pounds.  If more than one bridge can hold 60 pounds, then the
    lightest bridge wins!  I put an "Understanding Bridge Stresses" here
  7. Ping Pong Shot Put:  Build a stationary robot that can deliver ping pong balls
    to a 25cm cube container 4 feet away.  Deliver as many as possible within a 30
    second trial. (video)
  8. Robot Speed Build:  Build a standard "treadbot" robot using Maine Robotic
    parts (every competitor gets a bucket with the parts) in as little time as possible.
    NEW EVENT.

There will be trophies for each of the 8 events as well as an overall meet champion
trophy.  Each participant will receive a t-shirt for participating in the program.
Maine Robotics