Lawrence Tech to Hold Thanksgiving RoboParade^TM, November 18 at LTU

 

Lawrence Technological University is hosting the first ever indoor Robot Thanksgiving Parade in the world.  The parade will feature robot floats constructed and programmed by middle school and high school students. Video of the 2006 summer camp students preparing their robots for the parade can be seen at the following URL:  http://robofest.ltu.edu/movies/roboParadeMCWTcamp.wmv

 

The historic Thanksgiving RoboParade will be held on Saturday, November 18^th, 2006, from 9:00 a.m. – Noon in the Buell Management Building at LTU. The indoor venue will have consistent lighting (no direct sunlight).  Attendees of the parade will be able to see robot floats that are fully autonomous, follow the parade route, and detect other robots in front of them.  The robot floats are programmed to stop and start without human help. 

 

Team Registration

·         There is no limit on the number of team members; one team may enter multiple robot vehicles.

·         Students, grades 5-12 may participate; adult coaches may help the team.

·         Registration fee is for free (There is a maximum of 50 robot vehicles in the parade)

·         The team must come to a test parade using the actual parade route to ensure that all robot vehicles meet the specifications. Test parade dates at LTU and times are:

• Saturday, November 11, 2 pm – 6 pm
• Friday, November 17, 6 pm – 9 pm
• Saturday, November 18, 8:30 am – 9 am

·         If the team’s robot passes the test, then the robot will be registered and a number (float ID) will be assigned.

 

Robot Specification

·         Robot type: any, as long as fully autonomous

·         Number of robot controllers, sensors, or motors: unlimited

·         Size: width should be less than 10”. (no limitation on length, height, or weight)

·         Teams can have any float on the robot or on the trailer

·         Each robot may have its own sponsor logos. Each robot is required to carry a small flag with a robot number, main sponsor logo and LTU logo.  The flag will be given on the day of the event (or during the test parades)

·         Program requirements

• Reliability – robot must have a reliable program to follow a black line on a white surface
• Detection – Robot must have the ability to detect a vehicle in front of it and stop
• Starting – Robot must automatically re-start when the vehicle in front has cleared

 

Each team must bring everything needed for the parade, such as a computer (laptop) to program, electrical cords, etc.

 

The RoboParade will be a fun and motivating event to promote cooperation, harmony and creativity.  We hope you will be a part of it! For more information on the Parade, or if you would like to volunteer your time, please contact chung@LTU.edu  or 248-204-3504.  The event is open to the public and admission is free.

 

We are currently seeking sponsors for this event as well as next year’s Robofest 2007.  If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact admin@robofest.org or call 248-204-3566.

 

A sample parade course

30 degrees