Robo-Billiards

Robo-Billiards
Type	Engineering
Category	Build

Robo-Billiards was a Division B event from 2003 to 2005, first being run at the 2002 National Tournament as a trial event.

The Event

The event was similar to Robot Arm. The teams had to construct a robot prior to the competition which was capable of placing billiard balls into containers across a square table. It was an impound event.

Construction Parameters

• Each team may only enter 1 robot into the competition
• The robots control system must be made in a way that is not deemed dangerous to competitors or judges
• All Radio Control Transmitters and Receivers must comply with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations. Only unmodified, commercially available equipment intended for license free operation of model surface devices may be used. Equipment using frequencies restricted to model aircraft may not be used. Transmitters/receivers must use batteries as specified by their manufacturer.
• All Robot motion must be powered only by electrical, elastic, or gravitational energy. These forms of energy must not be converted to other forms such as hydraulics or pneumatics to power the robot.
• All energy used to power the robot must be derived from one or more commercially available batteries connected so that the total voltage does not exceed 9.6 volts. The voltage stated on the batteries, by the manufacturer, will be accepted.
• Prior to starting the competition, the robot, excluding transmitter(s) and/or control panel(s) and connecting wires, must fit into a 30 cm x 30 cm x 30 cm cube.

The Table

• The competition will take place on a flat, level table, without side rails, approximately 1.2 m (4 ft) x 1.2 m (4 ft) square, supported at each corner by a 3lb. coffee can or similar item. The cans also serve as pockets to place the balls in.
• The table will be covered with a relatively smooth, dense, short nap carpet. A 30 cm x 30 cm square will be marked on the carpet with one side centered on and adjacent to one of the table’s edges.
• Each corner of the table is cut out to facilitate placing the balls in the pockets.
• At the start of the competition, the Event Supervisor will place the balls on the table in numerical order
• The cue ball will be placed on the table adjacent to the center of the square’s side nearest the center of the table. The remaining balls form an equilateral triangle with one side parallel to and 20 cm away from the table’s edge opposite the square.

Scoring

• The cue ball has no value. It is a wild card and may be used in place of either a striped or solid colored ball (not both), whichever generates the higher score for the pocket. The eight ball will be counted as a solid colored ball.
• A maximum of 8 points per pocket may be awarded as follows:

1. One point for each ball placed in a pocket. (Maximum 4 points per pocket)
2. One point if the pocket contains a solid colored ball and its matching color striped ball (Maximum 2 points per pocket)
3. One point if the pocket contains two or more striped balls
4. One point if the pocket contains two or more solid colored balls

• High score wins. Ties will be broken in favor of which team takes less time to complete their run. The sum of the number of balls in each pocket will break remaining ties. The team with the highest total for any pocket will win. (additional pocket totals will be used if necessary).
• Robots that do not comply with one or more of specifications (See Construction Parameters section) will be allowed to compete, however, they will be ranked behind all robots that meet the specifications (Tier 2). Robots that are deemed unsafe to the competitor or the supervisor and those that violate the FCC regulations will not be allowed to run and will receive participation points only.

Pictured below is what the table would look like at a competition.