Cortana 3

By AlamoRobotics
@ August 10, 2010

• Actuators / output devices: 2 servos for gripper, 1 small gear motor for arm movement, 2 large gear motors for drive
• Control method: programmable logic controller, radio control
• CPU: Dual TI MSP430
• Power source: 7.2V 1500mAh RC battery
• Programming language: C
• Sensors / input devices: Vishay TSAL6200 IR LED
• Target environment: Indoors - Carpet

Cortana 3 was built by the New Braunfels Home School team for the 2009 BEST competition, High Octane. The game strategy was to collect game pieces that represented chemicals and place them in the right locations on the field to complete a chemical reaction series to form a fuel called IsoOctane. The robot has to be built using only the parts provided in a consumable parts kit like the one below.

The robot has to fit in a 2' x 2' x2' box in its starting position and cannot exceed 25 lbs in weight. Each team also receives a returnable electronics kit that includes 4 servos, the competition micrcontroller, a radio control transmitter and receiver, 2 Globe 15_sp gear motors, 2 Globe 13_sp gear motors, an IR sensor, a battery, and battery charger. The students are given six weeks to design and build the robot and participate in the competition at the end. There is no cost to the team to participate, but the whole kit (consumable and electronics) would probably cost around $1,200.

Here are a couple of photos from the game.

Our team won 1st place at the San Antonio BEST event last year.