`97
Most of the AIAA Robot Wars '95 Team (From left to right are Matt Jardin, Gary Cohen, Michael Pruznick, Glen Carl, and Doug Isaacson. Of course, the Painful Wedgie is that innocuous-looking metal thing everyone is crouching around. Not pictured are Pat Ryan, Tony Tong, and Ken Lim)
Matt Jardin
NASA Ames Research Ctr.
MS 210-9
Moffett Field, CA 94035
Tel: (415) 604-0724
jardin@osprey.arc.nasa.gov
[click here for an account of AIAA Robot Wars '95.]
Robot Wars
is a competitive sporting event between robots in different weight categories. That's what the Robot Wars
people say anyhow. We consider it more as a unique excuse to design some very
cool hardware, get on the local TV news and have some fine microbrews after work/school. The AIAA assembled a team of engineers for Robot Wars `95 and, in
less than 4 weeks, this team designed, built, tested, and competed in the heavyweight division with a gasoline-powered remote-controlled robot called "The Painful Wedgie". The Wedgie didn't do so well in the competition. In fact,
the Wedgie was soundly defeated due to a problem with AM radio interference, but
that is not the point! The point is that we all learned an incredible amount about design, machining, welding, pneumatics,
electronics, remote-control hardware, and 2-stroke engines and created a working machine in less time than it took the other contestants to charge their RC batteries. Not only did we complete the project in 4 weeks but we did it on a $300.00 budget which is less than the cost of our competitors' RC transmitters, and surely less than what we spent on beer during the month.
Now, one might assume that we are bitter about losing in the competition. Nope, we're not bitter. We are just going to build a much better robot for the next competition so that we can send our competitors home weeping, with their creations in pieces in paper bags.
The AIAA is now looking for interested members to be on the design team for Robot Wars `96 to create robot entries for as many of the weight classes as possible. There is an existing heavyweight robot called the "Painful Wedgie" that may be modified for competition, but we would like to start from scratch and enter some of the other weight categories. Therefore, if engineering design is what you're looking for, then this is the project for you. You will begin with a very loose set of requirements, and from there will have to decide how to power you creation, how big it will be, what weapons to use, how much money you want to spend, how you will control the critter, etc. In short, you will work very hard but have a lot of fun. A machine-shop is available for limited use to participants, and the AIAA Edison Network can offer much help in lining up financial sponsors and in the search for engineering consultants.
The best kind of people to work on this project are those who are very self-motivated and who are constantly coming up with great ideas. Currently we need people with backgrounds in the following areas:
* Electronics (IC circuit design)
* Practical experience with embedded processors
* Mechanical design (primarily steering mechanisms).
* Remote-Control hardware (aircraft, cars, boats, etc.)
The hours are long, and the pay is lousy (there is none), but the rewards can definitely make things worthwile.
The AIAA Robot Wars entry is also seeking financial sponsorship. Entering the Robot Wars costs money. The chance for success in the Robot Wars is proportional to the amount of money available for equipment, so we need money. Last year we had to make do with a 15 year old AM transmitter/receiver, and this was a major source of trouble for us during the event. Some seed money is available from the AIAA, but in order to improve the quality of our entries, much more is needed. If you as an individual or a business would like to contribute any of the items listed below, please contact the project lead listed above (jardin@osprey.arc.nasa.gov).
* RW Entry Fee (approx. $150.00 for a sponsored entry will earn you the right to advertise at the event. The exact amount of the sponsored entry fee and the details of the advertisement will depend upon the people at Robot Wars).
* Cash for the many parts we will need during the project (motors, electronics, batteries, gasoline, diamond-tipped saws, blow-torches, Pyramid Ale, etc.)
* RC equipment (FM or PCM transmitters and receivers)
* Servo-actuators for use with RC equipment
* Embedded control boards
* EPROM hardware