The testing of our VEX Robot took
place on exhibit night. Exhibit night was May 17th and it was a
night where every senior had time to show off their projects. Every
group/person had their own poster explaining, and emphasizing the importance of
their project. Some groups even had a final project. Most of the teams that had
something physically with them were teams from the Systems Engineering II
course, either Green/Cuttrell or Alfonse/McDonald. One thing I noticed was that
the VEX robotics aquatic performances were a big hit. There was constantly a
big crowd around them whether they were performing in the tank or just sitting
their. The two aquatic VEX kits were very different. Ours, had four individual
parts to complete each challenge and moved at a slow pace.. The other group had
one claw that could do all the challenges and moved at a more swift pace. The
testing of our project came down to the performance in the tank. It was scored
based on Rob Sharkey’s scoring sheet (see below). To get the best score you
must complete every challenge successfully on the first try and do it in the
smallest amount of time. Our first run wasn’t so well. We were getting used to
the movement of our VEX robot so we did not complete all the challenges the
first time around. The second time around we were able to complete every
challenge with ease and confidence. Our time was still a little slower than
what it should be but we were happy. The third time we attempted the course we
aced it. We completed every challenge successfully on the first try and in
about four minutes 35 seconds. Another great showing of our VEX team was the
tank. The tank was constructed mainly by Rob Sharkey with some assistance from
Nick and myself. The tank had a very nice appearance and was great size for the
competition. It also was very organized and any viewer could understand the
path that the VEX Robot will take.
Testing
VEX Robotics Aquatic Challenges
Point Value Assessment Sheet
Challenge 1: Ball Through Hoop
-Ball goes through the hoop = 5 Points
-Ball hits the
hoop = 3 Points
-Ball is
deployed = 1 Point
-Ball is not
deployed = 0 Points
Challenge 2: Boat Tow
-Vessel is towed and dropped off
Successfully At Target Location = 5 Points
-Vessel is towed but not dropped
Off at target
location = 3
Points
-Vessel not towed = 0 Points
Challenge 3: Buoy
Drop
-Buoy dropped in target area = 5 Points
-Buoy dropped within 3”
Of target
area = 3 Points
-Buoy dropped = 1 Points
-Buoy not
dropped = 0 Points
Challenge 4: Boat Sink
-Target vessel is
sunk = 5
Points
-Target vessel is damaged but = 3
Points
Not sunk
-Target vessel is unharmed = 0
Points