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Re: Standard Route NOT Standard Maze
Am I missing something here?
If we want to race 2 mice along a route with no choices then we may as
well go out and buy a big Scalextric set or a train set. Part of the
challenge of the mouse comp is the searching and learning requirement.
It may seem as if all of the mice use the same search algorithm but
they don't. Derek Hall uses something very non standard and I have my
own variation on the standard flooding solver. I am convinced my
technique helps shorten the search, especially if the maze is designed
by somebody who thinks they know how the mice solve the maze.
Development of a better solver and search method is as much part of the
game as trying new sensors or motors.
Having a standard pattern for benchmarking is not really useful as few
people will get the exactly the same performance consistently across
different maze fabrications. We all know how changes in the light
level, wall paint reflectivity, battery condition etc all have their
effects causing mice to misbehave under competition. Add this to
inconsistencies with actual timing methods and the comparison of
performances from around the world will be meaningless.
There must be ways of promoting the competition which don't reduce the
challenge. The modern video cameras work under very low light
conditions and give good results. The TV companies must be made to
understand the light levels used in the competition and should bring
equipment compatible with this. They have access to it.
Andrew Cattell.
In message <E13tnaA-00017l-00@relay3.ftech.net>, Duncan Louttit
<Duncan@swallow.co.uk> writes
>Hi Everyone,
>
> Many thanks Nick. I think that you have clarified the situation
>well. he discussion comes down to:-
>
> What can we fit in a small (4 by 8 plus "tail") maze?
>
> What is too difficult to expect mice to cope with?
>
> Regards,
>
> Duncan
>
--
Andrew Cattell
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