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Line Following Rules

Several comments all rolled into one:
 
Vertical Step
 
I think 5mm is far too big a step to expect mice to be capable of handling. It shouldn't be too hard to build a track with joints with steps of less than 1mm, but perhaps a 2mm allowance would satisfy most situations.
 
Cheapest Mouse
 
This was a prize in the draft rules I inherited from the IEE. I think it has some merit, but not if it involves having to sell your mouse ! One compromise might be that you have to produce a costed schedule of parts to build an equivalent mouse. If you can't do this because your mouse includes parts which are not readily available (eg cannibalise from a cruise missile, or fabricated from solid titanium on an NC milling machine), then you can't enter. Only mice built from commercially available components and materials, and capable of being fabricated using hand tools only would qualify.
 
Following the track
 
I like Duncan's suggestion of the cotton reels.
 
Dimensions and External Connection
 
The rules as drafted are the same as for the 2000 competition. In view of the fact that many teams will have started building the mice well before even the draft rules were available, I feel they should stand.
 
Rat Race Braking Penalties
 
I think the 5 second penalty has the merit of simplicity. We really don't want to encourage the wheeled bullet entries, to win a mouse really should have to brake successfully. The faster the race, the more severe a fixed penalty is, but is this really a problem ?
 
Jerry
 

Jerry Niman                                    Tel    +44 (0)161-247 1474
Head of Information Systems                    Email  J.Niman@mmu.ac.uk
the Manchester Metropolitan University         Mobile +44 (0)7770 638104