Colorado Robot Challenge April 7th, 2007 8:00 a.m.
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Colorado Robot Challenge April 7th, 2007 8:00 a.m.
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Transcript of Colorado Robot Challenge April 7th, 2007 8:00 a.m.
Colorado Robot ChallengeApril 7th, 2007
8:00 a.m.
MissionTo Develop Autonomous Robots Capable of
Functioning in Harsh Environments
We will be developing and field testing the technology which will allow small robots to operate either independently or in interactive swarms in such harsh environments as:
* volcanic calderas* mines* collapsed buildings* other planets or moons
Test of Concepts
The first test of our design concepts will be on April 7th, 2007 either at or near the Great Sand Dunes National Monument.
Satellite Image Great Sand Dunes National Monument
The challenges the terrain presents are not trivial; it is the perfect outdoors laboratory where different ideas can be tested and evaluated:– The site at the Great Sand Dunes National Monument is an
excellent location for a simulated Mars mission.– The terrain near the Sand Dunes creates an environment
similar to what can be found on Mars.– Participants should design their robots to function in a range
of temperatures.– There will be wind which can render many sensors non-
functional.– There is concern that the moving sand can created static
electricity which could damage the microcontrollers and memory in the robots.
– Finally, sand has a way of rendering moving parts inoperative.
Great Sand Dunes National Monument
Not the First to Link Mars to the Great Sand Dunes!
The Viking Lander was tested on the Dunes. The engineers were lookingfor an environment similar to what they thought the Landers would find on Mars.
Like us, they used the area near the Dunes.
Differences
Our goals are different from either the Viking Landers or even the two rovers presently on Mars.
Our robots are true robots! They must be completely autonomous reaching the goal by driving 25 ft to 30 ft over difficult terrain.
