What is Biomimetics?
It is the abstraction of good design from Nature.
Robot Competitions & Events
in Europe
ROBOTmaker
is dedicated to provide innovative solutions for robot competitions.
We are currently focusing on "autonomous robots" competitions
or collaborative robot swarm games (e.g. tag) rather than the "robot wars" style of
robot; which are
normally radio controlled.
We are undertaking our own development as well as distributing solutions from manufacturers of mechanical and electronic
solutions.
There are many types of autonomous robot competitions.
The most frequently held competitions are the ones details below.
Sumo Rules
A robot must fit within a square tube of the appropriate
dimensions for the given class:
Class
Height
Width
Length
3 kg Sumo
unlimited
20 cm / 7.87 in
20 cm / 7.87 in
Mini Sumo
unlimited
10 cm / 3.94 in
10 cm / 3.94 in
Micro Sumo
5 cm / 1.97 in
5 cm / 1.97 in
5 cm / 1.97 in
Nano Sumo
2.5 cm / 1.97 in
2.5 cm / 1.97 in
2.5 cm / 1.97 in
The total mass of a robot at the start of a match must be
under the designated weight for the given class.
Class
Weight
3 kg Sumo
3 kg / 6.6 lbs
Mini Sumo
500 g / 1.1 lbs
Micro Sumo
100 g / 3.53 oz
Nano Sumo
25 g / 0.88 oz
Mini, Micro and Nano robots must be autonomous. Any method of control
may be used, as long as it is fully contained within the robot. Robot
operation must begin automatically, no less than five seconds after being
started by the user. 3 kg Sumo Class robots can be remotely controlled (in
accordance to FCC regulations, and regulated by ROBOlympics officials)
Nano Sumo Competitions
In desktop competitions one of the greatest mechanical design challenges is
the Nano Sumo robot competition. The size of the robot is limited to 25mm x 25mm
x 25mm. The most difficult aspect is to squeeze a suitable electric
motor and gearbox in to the limited space.
Max Weight: 25g
Exploded View
Micro Robots
We are developing special drive units for Nano class robot building.
See the overview of Nano-class and Micro-class geared motors ->
mini geared motors
At
the heart of TechFest is UK Micromouse - an annual international
competition in which robotic 'mice' compete to solve a maze. The Faculty
first hosted the event in 2004 and every year the competition gets
bigger and better.
Contacts:
Dr. Tony Wilcox MIET CEngSenior Academic
Faculty of Technology, Engineering and the Environment
Birmingham City University
Millennium Point
Birmingham B4 7XG
Tel: 0121 331 7510/5400
Mob: 07929 207051
