Line Follower

Line Follower

Apprentice Mission (Beginner and Beginner II Teams)

Description:

Follow the line! Can you follow the line around the course using a light or color sensor? Through the curves, over the hill, and through the rumble strips as the line changes color, you have three minutes to complete the course.
Scoring is based on how far you make it through the course. Your robot must begin its run while the back of your unit is lined up with "A" You achieve points when your robot completely passes another checkpoints (B, C, D, etc.) If you leave the course, we will allow a 1-inch tolerance on each side of the course track. If it is more than one inch, in the judge's opinion, you will lose the points for that section. You may not re-position your unit should it get off course. Additional points will be given based on your time of completing the entire course.
The purpose of this Apprentice Mission is to utilize the light or color sensor capability of the NXT/EV3 unit. You must therefore show satisfactory evidence to the course Judge that the unit is utilizing a light or color sensor to guide its path when following the course centerline. If, in the judges considered opinion, sensors are not being used, no score will be recorded for the run.

Bill of Materials:

Any 4x8 ft material would be acceptable for the base. Sketch dimensions are accurate. Track is flat black in color with 3/4" wide Yellow and White electrical tape identifying the course centerline. The remaining track aesthetics and color scheme are not important for the course build as they are off the course track. Competition course is secured to a 2" Styrofoam base (for light-weight rigidity).
Course utilizes 3/4" wide electrical tape, identifying the track center line (White through the beginning of the course and transitions to Yellow between 'I' and ‘J' through the end of the course.
The entire visible surface was painted with Green spray paint. The track course was painted with a flat black spray paint after masking off the non-track surfaces. The White and Yellow electrical tape was laid out as noted in the sketch dimensions. The tape segments (between turns) are cut to fit and do not overlap at the turning points.
The ramp is 1" tall, 19" in length, with a 15 degree angle on approach, 25 degree on opposing end and uses tempered hardwood painted black with white electrical tape centerline.
The rumble strip area is made from the rough surface of painters trays cut to size and secured with adhesive.

* Used for construction, not part of the finished course.
** Not required for course completion. Added for durability and strengt

Scoring:

Maximum time limit for an official run is 3 minutes. The run will end at 3 minutes and teams will receive the score earned up to that time.

Drawings (pdf)

Course Photos (jpg):
Overview 1
Overview 2
Overview 3
Overview 4
Bridge
Up Ramp
Down Ramp
Corner
Rumble Strip