Tips for a succsessful robot
(mostly for new FLL teams):
- Use MyBlocks to save memory. The NXT dosen’t have that much memory and it runs out very quickly. We also found that MyBlocks help a lot to organize the programs. Otherwise, it becomes very difficult to tweak the robot missions if the code gets too long.
- Make sure that robot is robust. Lots of “L”-shaped technic beams and many, many pegs always helped us to stiffen the robot chassis.
- Use lots of (light + rotation) sensors to navigate on the field. It is tempting not to and it might speed up programming in the short run but in the end we always went back to adding more sensors for more consistent navigation
- Test robot in different conditions (exp: tilt table, slightly move mat, change lighting conditions,…)
- Make your own light sensor calibration program. If you don’t calibrate the light sensors, the difference between black and white on the playing field can become very small and inconsistent.
- Make sure your robot starts accurately and consistently.
- Make your attachments so they can only be attached one way. When under pressure during a tournament it is more difficult then it seems to get the attachment on correctly…
- Practice your routine lots of times. It takes a suprising amount of time to change the attachments, load and unload mission pieces and select the next program between robot missions.
- Although we often tried, we found no good use for the ultrasonic sensor in any of the robot missions. It just wasn’t consistent enough and easily fooled by, for example, small ojects and angled surfaces. We are curious to hear about your experience. Drop us a note at info at igutech.org
- Do (gentle) robot drop tests from a few inches to test robustness!
-Tilman
Tips for a succsessful project:
- We always liked the “skit” format with every team member participating. We found powerpoint presentations often don’t look that good in the cramped judging rooms and we always made up poster boards insteads.
- Practice lots to get the timing right. You don’t wnat be be cut off by the judges before you can present your innovative solution…
- Speak loudly and clearly
- You might not want a “Script”,you could just talk freely with bullets on a notecard. Talking freely is more liked by judges!
- We always used posters that were held by one of the team members to assist our speakers
- Make the judges know who is what role (i.e: Bob is the Scientist)
- Think about good anwers to questions like “how did you come up with the project idea?”
- Have fun!
You can also watch our presentation from past seasons on You tube!