Brainstorming Ideas

4-1-99

-          Preliminary pseudo-code
1.        Determine side of course robot is on
2.        Maneuver to marbles (tank tracks?)
3.        Pick up marbles (type of pickup device, keeping marbles from falling out chute)
4.        Sort of marbles (gravity, corkscrew control, electromagnet)
5.        Maneuver to deposit area
6.        Deposit marbles
7.        Leave area

-          Discussed types of sensors needed
Touch
Mercury
IR (possibly for navigation?)
Light (light levels?)

-          Chassis
Tread or wheels? – tread more maneuverable
Change in weight with marbles
Wheel support on inside or outside? – More room on inside?
Raising & lowering pickup device – front or center mounted?
Use of erector set?

-          Pickup device
Brush or rigid? – Options:
    Rigid brush (paintbrush)
    Rotating brush
    Rigid/pivoting tray
    Center-mounted seems better right now
    Maneuvering to bin – error?
    Drop tray by door and push marbles through,  pick up tray?
        Much more work – loss of speed

JB