So here are this year's students' drivetrain systems for the solution of the "dispose of the radioactive devices and rescue the soldier" event, a.k.a. VBRC 2011. This year's event has 3 obstacles: sand pit, gravel pit, and a "mountainous" region (not designed/ defined by instructors yet). To get over the 3 obstacles, some students went with a flexible drive systems so the robot could handle the angles of the terrain of obstacle 3 (it will cover 75% of the width of the track, so you have to go over it).
A robot starts at one end and goes down a 35' track, through the 3 obstacles, and into the shack where our soldier is being held hostage.
First dispose of the radioactive items and t
ake them to the drop-zone, then come back for the soldier. The shack has live video back to a TV where the human operator is standing. Our school's robots will also have wireless cameras on most of them so the students can get a clear picture of the action on their laptops, also set up next to the human operator near the beginning.
Some have flexible drivetrains, some have 6 wheels, & some have tank treads. Continuous rotation servos and 12V DC motors are used for movement.
Some have anti-rollover systems & independent suspensions.
And remember kids:
Next post, manipulators and end effectors!
