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Y2K Grand Prix
My recent message regarding the 6-phase stepper motors created
some interest when I mentioned the Y2K Grand Prix at Earls Court.
For info: the IEE are concentrating their MM competition at
schools this year (and future?). Regional heats were held around the
country in March/April and the Final is on 1st July at Earls Court, connected
with a Tomorrow's World Live Event. There are the following race
categories:
Formula 1 - an 8x8 traditional MM maze
(target square diagonally opposite to start square) - this is for maze
solving mice or wall followers (the maze solvers should have an advantage,
unless we play by Technogames rules.....!).
Formula 2 - a line-following category
intended for semi-intelligent mice which can, perhaps, increase speed down the
straights.
Formula 3 - a line-following category for
basic mice.
Rat Race - this is fun! A dragster
rat race where the rat has to run down an 8m straight track (following a line)
and automatically brake to a standstill before hitting the end wall.
Sounds easy until you try it at speed.
Apparently there haven't been many entries for the Formula 1
competition (not surprising, perhaps), even in the wall-follower class so there
is talk that they may replace this category with something else in the
future. There is, therefore, great importance in maintaining the MM
presence in the group run by Adrian at Royal Holloway. Nonetheless, the
IEE schools Y2K Grand Prix is an excellent way to introduce schools to the idea
of Micromouse and to set realistic targets for schools to compete
for.
Any comments??
Chris Walker,
Head of Electronics,
Bolton School.
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