Product Development Robotics Competition
University of Hong Kong, Mechanical Engineering Department, Junior Year
While studying abroad at Hong Kong University, I worked with seven other mechanical engineering students over the course of a semester to create two robots (one attack and one defense) that would compete in a class wide competition. The goal of the competition was to obtain points by either knocking down the opponent’s flags with small frisbees or by capturing the opponent’s frisbees.
Playing Field
When designing the robots, we had to be cognizant of the field's layout, the rules of the competition, and what materials and tools were available to us. We were provided with some electronics and a base for the attack robot, but the rest of the materials were left to us to acquire. We were encouraged to use recyclable materials like cardboard or styrofoam.
Solidworks model of the attack robot
Assembled Attack Robot
Both robots had a size limitation of 20cm x 20cm x 20cm. The defense robot was only allowed to move in one direction and had to unload any frisbees it caught by itself. The attack robot's motion was not restricted and it could attack the opponent's attack robot, but not their defense robot. The limitation here was only physical attacks could be used (ex: ramming into another robot).
Solidworks model of the defense robot
Assembled Defense Robot
For the attack robot, we focused on its ability to fire and move as opposed to it being able to attack other robots. Though, our design did give it some methods for attacking an opponent's robot. Because of the size limitation, we made the defense robot fast so it could reach any flag as soon as possible. We also gave it a netted box so it could dissipate the energy of, and reliably catch, any incoming frisbees. Both robots worked well and our team received first place in the competition.
Video of the Attack Robot
Video of the Defense Robot
