B.E.S.T. 2007
Go to B.E.S.T. Webpage.|
AUSTIN - The day before the challenge was released, our class had been assured we would not be in the competition. Three days later, we were in, a rookie team exultant over entering its first competition. We had no idea what we were in for, so we set out to learn everything we could about the competition itself, the rules, the other teams, past robotics competitions, and how to teach the students themselves about how the year would work. Four weeks later, we’re still learning. People have found the niches they fit into now, and work is underway on a robot that will hopefully make us proud next weekend at the final BEST Robotics Competition. This year’s challenge is titled 2021: A Robot Odyssey. The “mission” is to design a robot that can go onto a landing pad on Mars and pick up medical kits and supplies (boxes and bottles), then drive over to a holding area and drop the supplies in. Each round consists of four robots driving up a ramp, grabbing boxes and bottles, then driving to the other side of the competition platform and unloading the robot, trying to get as many points as possible. Only three minutes are allotted to complete the mission, but here is Westlake, unpracticed, untried, and undaunted. The mechanical team immediately began to design the robot, looking at arm, bin, chassis, and wheel designs, while CAD animation teams worked to create 3-D versions of the robot on the computer. Our education team visits schools about once a week to talk to elementary school kids about getting involved in science, technology, and computers at an early age. Our notebook design staff and marketing campaign leader are working overtime to create a display board, website, and research paper in time for the contest. Various mentors come every week to talk to the kids and work on the robot and the supporting areas. With only a week to go until competition, the race is on to finish N.O.R.M.A.N. the robot and bring home a victory for Westlake Robotics. |
2021: A Robot Odyssey Go to B.E.S.T. Webpage. |