Roanoke RoboParade

Science Museum of Western Virginia
With the Roanoke - Blacksburg Technology Council
and the Roanoke Robotics Club presents

"Roanoke RoboParade"

The Roanoke Blacksburg Technology Council, in conjunction with the Science Museum of Western Virginia and the Roanoke Robotics Club, is organizing our Second Annual indoor Robot Parade with seminars and table-top exhibits at the Science Museum in Tanglewood Mall. The parade features robot floats constructed and programmed by students of all ages. Attendees of the parade will be able to see fully autonomous robot floats that follow the parade route while detecting other robots in front of them. The robot floats are programmed to stop and start without human help. Floats may have extra mechanisms and programming to show off during the parade route. In preparation for Mother’s Day the next day, the parade theme is a tribute to Mom!

The RoboParade is a successful annual event first initiated by Lawrence Technical University in 2006. A great videos of last year's parade can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbu_BgYV1_0.

Team Registration and Qualification

• A team can enter only one robot float. If a coach has multiple robotic floats, please register multiple teams.
• The parade will be conducted continuously from 2:00 -3:00 pm. Participants may join and remove their floats at any time.  Register online at www.TheTechnologyCouncil.com/RoboParade. There will be various technical workshops for registered teams and the interested public. Exhibition opportunities are available if your team would like to display and man a table-top exhibit.
• A team can have up to 7 team members.
• Students of any age or academic level, including college, may participate.
• Registration is FREE!
• Each team must qualify their robot on a test parade using the actual parade route to ensure that all robot vehicles meet the specifications and functional requirements provided below. A short length of test track and parade official will be on hand Saturday morning, 10:30am-12:00pm. Please allow plenty of time for qualifying. There are also workshop opportunities Saturday morning and exhibits to see, plus it is a great opportunity to see the Science Museum.
• The first hour of the parade is designated for slower robots. The second hour favors the faster-traveling robots.
• If the team’s robot passes the test, then the float ID (flag) will be given. Without the flag, robots cannot participate in the official parade to be started around 1pm. There will be no exceptions.
• Teams that successfully complete the parade route will receive a Roanoke RoboParade medallion (pictured above).

Robot Requirements:

• Robot type: any, as long as it is fully autonomous.
• Number of robot controllers, sensors, or motors: unlimited.
• Size: Width and Length limitations are only based on the width of the route. See the next section.
• There is no limitation on height or weight.
• The rear part of your float should be flat in case the robot behind is using touch sensors.
• Each robot may have its own sponsor logos. Each robot is required to carry a small flag with a number, which will be given if the robot passes the qualification test.
• The course direction is counterclockwise. That is, all curves will be left-hand turns.
• Program requirements:
• Robot must have a reliable program to follow a black line on a bright surface.
• Robot must have the ability to detect a vehicle in front of it and stop; then automatically re-start when the vehicle in front has cleared.
• Wireless interaction between the robot and team players using sound, ultrasonic, radio or light sensors is encouraged. Perhaps to activate a crowd-pleasing activity such as dispensing candy (must not interfere with track), waving a hand, or showing your tribute to Mom!
• Robot speed requirements: 4 to 8 cm/sec for the slower phase from 2-2:30pm, or 8 to 18cm/sec for the faster phase from 2:30-3pm. Be sure to clock your robot on straight as well as curved track!

Official Parade Route
Plastic folding tables (30” x 72”) will be used for the parade route. These are typically referred to as Rubbermaid,  Lifetime, or other brand folding tables with a white plastic top surface . You can find the tables at local discount stores like K-mart or Lowe’s for around $50. Robofest Games (www.robofest.net) use the same tables. 
Standard electrical tape (black) is used to make a closed rectangular shape with 4 rounded corners as shown in the short test table pictured below. 2” wide masking tape will be used to connect and hold tables. BE PREPARED for a small bump at the table interface.

The following dimension and shape is approximates the official parade route.

At least three loops around the course is encouraged, but only one complete circuit is required to receive the participation medallion.


Helpful Links:

Build your own line follower robot with ideas from NXTPrograms.com such as the Line Follower

Programs for the line follower robot, using the NXT-G language that comes with Lego NXT kits

Design Considerations and the basics of line following, from Lawrence Technical University’s Robofest workshops

Roanoke Robotics Club


Organizers wish to thank Lawrence Tech for their advice and assistance.
 
The RoboParade is a fun and motivating event to promote cooperation, harmony and creativity. We hope you will be a part of it! Please direct all questions via email to nctcfirst@gmail.com; The event is open to the public and admission is free for robot exhibits and the parade in the open gallery. The science museum will be open, and admission costs $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, and $4 for kids 3 – 12 years: SMWV.org. Like the Science Museum on Facebook.