National Robotics Challenge

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The National Robotics Challenge is a yearly event in which the robot contestants compete in one or many of the contests in order to win. It has been running since 1986. The 2007 event will have 12 contests.

1 History
2 Recent events
3 Differences with other competitions
4 List of contests for 2007
5 References

[edit] History

The National Robotics Challenge has evolved from one of the oldest robotics contests in America, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Robotic Technology and Engineering Challenge. The SME-RTEC competition was started in 1986, under the guidance and inspiration of Tom Meravi, Associate Professor from Northern Michigan University and the late Dr. James Hannemann, co-chairman of the event. Working behind the scenes, Professor Meravi and Dr. Hannemann volunteered their time and talents tirelessly for fifteen years to help the robotics competition grow, expand, and develop into one of the premier robotics and engineering events in the nation. From its humble beginning, with two work cells and two pick and place competitions, the 2002 competition offered a total of seventeen contests. Tragically, Dr. Hannemann passed away suddenly in July 2001. Following his passing, SME announced that the organization was unable to continue its sponsorship of the event at the 2003 awards ceremony in Rochester, New York. Most of the competitors and advisors thought that this was the end, but as with all things, every end can be a new beginning. This new beginning was realized by three educators from Marion, Ohio. On the bus ride from Rochester to Marion, Ed Goodwin, Ritch Ramey, and Tad Douce discussed the possibilities and support that existed in their community for this type of event. When they arrived in Marion each started working on different aspects of a plan to keep the SME contest alive.

[edit] Recent events

The 2004 event was a success. With over 200 students and multiple states represented the committee knew that there was going to be more demand for this type of an event in the future. The 2005 event showed some growth both in participants and sponsors. The 2005 event also concluded with another very important development, the addition of a fourth committee member. Brad Pottkotter had just started his teaching career at the Ridgedale High School near Marion and had come to judge at the 2005 NRC. After the awards ceremony Brad decided that he not only wanted to start a team for next year's event but he also wanted to join the effort. “I was very excited when Brad offered to join the committee. I just knew that he would be a real asset to the planning of our event,” said Tad Douce. The 2006 National Robotics Challenge expanded to include 5 middle schools, 27 high schools, and 4 post-secondary schools from Ohio, Indiana, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, South Carolina, Michigan and New York. In all, there were over 180 robots entered in 11 different contest categories. Over 400 students and advisors all in one place; all enthusiastic about robotics education. Even though the event has gone through a great deal of change in the last three years some of the same things that made the 1986 event great can still be found.

[edit] Differences with other competitions

The National Robotics Challenge is the only open-platform robotics competition available to middle school, high school and post-secondary students. The goal of the National Robotics Challenge is to create an interest and excitement around the field of engineering and design through robotics competitions.

[edit] List of contests for 2007

Below are 9 of the 12 contests that will take place during the 2007 event.^[1]

Journey Robot: in which robots (RC or autonomous) navigate an obstacle course.
SUMO Robot: in which two robots (RC or autonomous) try to push each other out of the playing circle.
Mini-SUMO Robot: the same as SUMO Robot, but with a smaller playing circle.
Manufacturing Robotic Work Cell: in which contestants design, create and operate a system that can perform at least one manufacturing process.
Pick and Place Programming: in which contestants write programs that will allow a robot to pick up and drop certain items.
Robot Construction - Open: in which contestants choose a task, then design, make and operate a robot that will do that task.
Robot Maze Contest: in which contestants navigate a maze using a tactile or non-tactile 'mouse'.
Top of the Hill: in which robots navigate a Moonscape with obstacles and try and retrieve ping pong balls.
Robotic Problem Solving: in which contestants use the materials and software provided to create a robot that will solve a common problem which occurs in manufacturing plants.

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