Tazmanian Devil


Team members: Eric Spletzer, Zie Kone, Neville Bonwit.


Robot strategy: Maneuver using straight segments and turns in place. Alignments to walls are performed by backing up until the wall is detected with one bump sensor, turning until the other bump sensor is triggered, then turning to the angle halfway between the measured angles. The transmission arrangement is novel. Straight motion is ensured with solid axles; to turn, the robot lifts itself on a centrally-mounted foot, and turns about its foot. The same motor that drives the rear axle is coupled to a worm gear that turns the robot about the foot, reducing the number of actuators required. A claw detects and traps food and slides it along the course surface. Each food piece is individually deposited at home before the next is retrieved.