Automata

Event Introduction

The field of robotics is gaining a feverish pace among college students all over. Engineer at NITK Surathkal has consistently maintained exceptionally high standards in robotics through its various events, one of which is Automata - the autonomous robotics competition. A flagship event in this Engineer Golden Jubilee Edition, Automata promises to enthrall one and all with its new format. The objective of this year's Automata is to build an autonomous robot that performs simple tasks involving basic image processing.

Event Format

• The robot’s aim is to reach the end cell (top-right cell) from the start cell (bottom-left cell) in the shortest time using the checkpoints in the 5x5 grid.
• The basic course of the robot should be a snake like circuit and the robot can choose either of initial directions.
• There can be two types of checkpoints, represented by a triangle and a circle.
• When the robot moves over a cell which contains a triangle, it has an option to move to any adjacent cell along perpendicular directions.
• After moving to an adjacent cell, the robot has to stick to its basic course.
• When the robot moves over a cell which contains a circle, it will be penalized some points. So a robot has to avoid such a cell as much as possible.
• There will be only one checkpoint on any cell and there will not be any checkpoints on the start or end cell.
• The following figures indicate the sample arena and paths that can be taken by the robot.

Fig 1: The basic courses that can be taken by the robot

Fig 2: Paths that can be taken by the robot using the checkpoints.

• Note: The dotted line, Start and End will not be printed on the arena. It is used only for indicative purposes here

Rules and Regulations

• The size of each cell in the 5x5 grid will be 30cmx30cm separated by black strips of width 5cm.
• The background of the arena will be white in color.
• The checkpoints will be red in color located at the centre of any cell and the triangle checkpoint can be in any orientation.

• The robot should be completely autonomous.
• The robot should fit into a box of dimensions 20cm x 20cm x 20cm.
• The robot is required to have an onboard power source not based on combustion.
• The maximum voltage between any two points on the robot should not exceed 12 volts.
• The robots are allowed to have sensors for a wheel encoder but no other sensors are allowed anywhere else.
• The robots can communicate with a computer outside the arena either through wired or wireless connection.
• In case of a wired connection, the wire must be kept slack all the time and must emerge from the top of the robot.
• Use of on-board camera is not allowed.
• The following software for image processing are allowed:
  • Open CV
  • MATLAB
  • Scilab
• If any other software is used for image processing, please inform us at automata@engineer.org.in.
• Software with readymade image processing codes/GUIs is not allowed.
• Use of readymade circuits for wireless communication is allowed. But use of Lego kits or other readymade kits for other parts on the robot is strictly prohibited. For details, please mail the specifications of the circuits with an attached image to automata@engineer.org.in.
• Sharp objects on the robot which may damage the arena will lead to disqualification of the team.

• The computer provided by us will have MATLAB v7.6+ on windows platform.
• The computer will have USB and serial ports for communication.
• The participants are advised to get their own computers.
• Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 will be used for the event. Software, Driver and more details are available here
• Few of the resolutions that the camera will support for image acquisition are 640x480, 800x600 and 1600x1200.
• The camera will have a USB port for connecting to a computer.
• The teams will have to use the camera provided by us.

• The event will consist of one round and each team will be given 20 minutes inclusive of calibration time and best trial will be taken for consideration.
• A maximum of 4 members per team is allowed.

• The marking criterion will be put up soon. The circle checkpoint penalty, total time and distance taken during the course will be considered.
• The algorithm has to be explained to the judges before running the robot on the arena.
• Judges' decision will be final and binding in all cases.

Contact details:

• Varun Kumar N : +91-9844316252
• You can email your queries to automata@engineer.org.in