Rules of the competition, 2022.
The task
The competitors will construct a model of an autonomous micro:bit -based robotic vehicle, and shall program it to drive over a given course, as fast as possible, while keeping the rules of safety.
The main goals of the competition are:
- Learning about the rules of traffic, and the importance of keeping them.
- Understanding the limitations of the vehicle and the driver.
- Learning about the importance of using sensors and safety systems as a means for reducing traffic accidents.
- Developing mathematical algorithmic reasoning.
- Nurturing creativity and innovation.
- Increasing knowledge in the fields of robotics and sensors.
- Developing teamwork skills.
The participants
Groups of 5th-6th grade students, as well as students from post-primary schools (7th-9th grades). Each group will comprise of two students.
The categories in the competition:
The students from the 5th and 6th grades shall take part in the “Race” category.
The students from 7th-9th grades can choose the “Race” category or the “Careful driving” category, or both.
The participants shall compete in their age group.
The competition shall take place at the Churchill assembly hall at the Technion
The competition method, rules, and scoring
The “Race” category
The task in this category is to complete the course in the shortest time. During the task, two teams shall compete. Both vehicles shall start from the starting line and will follow one S-shaped lane of the track, laid on a pre-designed surface (see attached drawing). The vehicle must move as fast as possible from the beginning of the course, till its end. The team whose vehicle completes the course in the shortest time shall win. Each team shall have an opportunity to make two attempts, where the best result counts.
Technical details
The dimensions of the playground are 150cm × 150cm. The width of the black lane is 3 cm.
The robotic vehicle shall have two motors, where one wheel is attached to each motor, an additional wheel may be attached for support.
The length of the vehicle shall not exceed 12 cm, and its width shall not exceed 10cm.
Traffic light radio codes: Red light – 0, Yellow light – 1, Green light – 2.
Following is a link to the drawing with the details of the track: Layout of the race map.
Printable link: Printable link.
The “Careful driving” category
The task in this category is completing at least three laps, while putting an emphasis on avoiding traffic accidents. During the task, two teams shall compete. The vehicles shall start from the two ends of the track shaped as the figure 8, on a pre-designed playground (see attached drawing) and shall drive on two different lanes of the track. An access barrier is placed at the start of the track, and four traffic lights shall be placed at the junction. The vehicle shall start driving when the access barrier opens. The performance will be evaluated based on the vehicle’s ride without deviating from the track, without breaking the traffic rules, and without causing accidents.
A group whose robot fails to complete 3 laps, shall not be ranked. Ranking shall take place based on penalty points and the distance traveled by the vehicle.
Penalty points shall be given for violation of the following rules of traffic:
- Failure to stop at a red light – 4 points.
- Deviation from the track: where both wheels of the vehicle are on one side of the solid black lane – 3 points.
- Stop not due to the traffic light – 1 point.
- Collision with another car – 5 points.
- Starting the drive uncoordinated with the access barrier – 2 points.
0 penalty points shall be registered for a team whose robot drives on the track for 3 minutes and completes at least three laps without breaking the traffic rules and without causing an accident. The winning team shall be the team with the smallest number of penalty points. Each team shall have an opportunity to make two attempts, where the best result counts. If two teams get the same number of points, the winning team shall be the one whose robot traveled the longest distance on the track.
Technical details
The time durations of the colors in the traffic light are: red – 3 seconds, red and yellow – 2
seconds, green – 7 seconds, yellow – 2 seconds.
Traffic lights radio codes:
Traffic light 1: red light – 0, red and yellow light – 1, Green light – 2, and yellow – 3.
Traffic light 2: red light – 4, red and yellow light – 5, Green light – 6, and yellow – 7.
The dimensions of the playground are 150cm × 150cm. The width of the black lane is 3cm.
The robotic vehicle shall have two motors, where one wheel is attached to each motor, an additional wheel may be attached for support.
The length of the vehicle shall not exceed 12cm, and its width shall not exceed 10cm.
Note: pay attention to the height of the gate. To allow communication with the robotic vehicle sensors, it is recommended to raise it.
Following is a link to the drawing with the details of the track: Layout of the careful driving map.
Printable link: Printable link.
For questions and queries please contact the Pedagogic coordinator Bondarev Anna Anna@ytek.co.il.