Photovore

Accommodation registrations have started. To register for accommodation, click here.

PHO-to-vore - from photo "light" (Greek) + vore "swallow up" (Latin)

Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection states that the evolution of any organism depends directly not only how quickly it can it can search for its source of energy but also how well it can defend it. This year at the national robotics challenge, it's not "survival of the fittest" but "survival of the efficient" that will decide the winner.

1. Problem Statement

Construct an automated light seeking machine which uses solar power as the only source of energy.

To see the Photoroller (Nexus Round) problem statement, click here.

To see the Nexus homepage, click here.

Prizes worth INR 40,000 to be won.

View the Arena »

Registration for Photovore has started. Click here to register.

To view the discussions on this competition, Click here

For further queries contact:

Anish Garg Manager, Techtronics Techfest 2009 +91 98337 89055 anishgarg[at]techfest[dot]org

Shobhit Gupta Manager, Techtronics Techfest 2009 +91 98336 45180 shobhit[at]techfest[dot]org

2.1 Arena

The arena is a level surface, white in colour. The arena is illuminated by a single 500 watt halogen lamp. Bulb is located at an elevation of 300mm above the centre of the circle and aimed vertically downwards. The circle is 250mm in diameter with a dot indicating middle of the circle, located in the middle of the arena. The centre of the circle is marked by a black dot and the circle is marked in green. Four 250mm squares is marked in blue at the corners of the arena.

Obstacles: There are four obstacles in the arena painted black and fixed in four symmetric locations in the arena as shown in Figure 2. Dimensions of obstacle are 80mm tall (high) and 40mm in diameter.

View the Machine Specifications »

3.1 Dimensions and Fabrications

1. The machine must fit within a box of dimensions 250mm X 250mm X 250mm at the beginning of the race. The machine, when put in the arena at the start of the game, should have the same size as checked with the dimension box above.
2. The machine cannot be controlled manually.
3. During the game, the machine can expand itself provided it does not damage the arena in any way. The judges hold the right to subjectively determine if the machine violates this clause.
4. Machines cannot be constructed using readymade Lego kits or any readymade mechanism, but use of readymade gear assemblies is allowed. Violating this clause will lead to disqualification of the machines. Judges hold the right to subjectively evaluate this clause.

3.2 Power Supply and Propulsion

1. The machine cannot use any other energy source to motivate them than what they are able to draw from their solar cell. No pre-tensioned springs, elastics, combustion or compressed energy sources are allowed, though any of these may be employed in the design so long as it can be proved that they are at a complete state of rest at the beginning of the run. Such systems cannot be used in any way even if they are not being used for propulsion.
2. The method of propulsion is at the discretion of the builder provided it does not damage the arena in any way and it satisfies the safety constraints, determined by the judges.
3. The size of the solar cell must not exceed 15 sq. inches (9678 square mm), (excluding the casing) in size.
4. The teams must devise a mechanism to discharge its stored energy. For example shorting wires for the capacitor if the capacitor mechanism is used. The team will be asked to activate this mechanism once at the beginning of every race.

3.3 Controls

The machine must be autonomous and cannot be externally controlled.

View the Rules »

4.1 Competition Rules

1. The tournament will be played on a knock-out basis, with two machines competing against each other at a time, and the loser being disqualified.
2. The task of the competition is to perform the following:
   • Avoid the obstacle.
   • Reach the light source.
   • Keep the opponent away.
   The machines can start from any of the extreme squares, shown in the arena and the objective is to remain closest to the light source (centre of the circle) after 5 minutes. The machine can push/grab the opponent to keep him away. However the machine can not damage the opponent.
3. The distance from the centre of the circle to the geometric centre of the machine will be measured. The geometric centre of the machine will be marked by the judges, with the consent of the teams.
4. The teams are only allowed to touch his machine once at the start of the game to disengage the discharging mechanism.

4.2 Elimination Rules

1. This will be an individual run and not a one on one competition.
2. The machine starts from any one of the four boxes at the extremes of the arena.
3. The teams would be given 3 minutes within which their machine has to stay as close as possible to the light source.
4. The top teams will participate in the final round.

4.5 General Rules

1. The teams must adhere to the spirit of healthy competition. The teams must not damage the opponent's machine in any way. Judges reserve the right to disqualify any team indulging in misbehavior.
2. Any team that is not ready at the time specified will be disqualified from the competition automatically.
3. The machine would be checked for its safety before the race and would be discarded if found unsafe for other teams and spectators.
4. The name of your machine must be prominently displayed.
5. Judges decision shall be treated as final and binding on all.
6. The organizers reserve the rights to change any or all of the above rules as they deem fit. Change in rules, if any will be highlighted on the website and notified to the registered teams.

4.3 Team Specifications

A team must consist of (a maximum of) 3 participants. Students from different educational institutes can form a team.

4.4 Eligibility

All students with a valid identity card of their respective educational institutes are eligible to participate in Photovore at Techfest 2009.

4.6 Certificate Policy

1. Certificate of Excellence will be given to the top 3 teams emerging from this competition.
2. Certificates of Participation will be given to all the teams whose bot is able to negotiate the obstacles and cross the largest circle enclosed by the square formed by the four obstacles.

4.7 Registration

Registration for Photovore has started. Click here to register.

4.8 Accommodation

• Due to the limited accommodation facilities, teams will be short listed for accommodation based on the following abstract provided by the team. Please note that even if your abstract does not get short listed, you are still eligible to participate in the competition.
• All participants who want accommodation at IIT Bombay during Techfest should fill the abstract form and rename the .doc file as "<Team_no>.doc" and email the form to photovore[at]techfest[dot]org. The abstract should reach us latest by 2359 hrs on 15th December 2008. No more requests for accommodation will be entertained thereafter.
• Click here to download the abstract format.
• Accommodation registrations have started. To register for accommodation, click here.

4.9 Important dates

1. Last date for registration for participant who don't require accommodation at IIT Bombay is 25th December, 2008. Participants need not send the abstract if they don't want the accommodation.
2. Last date for submitting the abstract for participants who require accommodation at IIT Bombay is 15th December, 2008.
3. Last date of registrations for the participants who wish to avail accommodation at IIT Bombay is 15th December, 2008.

View the Resources »

4. Resources

To download the Photovore tutorial, click here.

Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view the pdf. To download Acrobat Reader, click here.

For reference, visit:

1. www.faq.solarbotics.net/oscillate.html (Solar Engine Circuit)
2. www.cachefly.oreilly.com/make/mc_beambots.pdf
3. www.ffaat.pointclark.net/blog/pages/BeamRoller2.html
4. www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/6897/photovore.html
5. www.xs4all.nl/~sbolt/e-fotovoor.html
6. www.societyofrobots.com/programming_photoresistor.shtml

Imported Solar Cells are available online at:

1. www.robosoftsystems.co.in/roboshop.html.

Solar Cells can be bought online from:

1. www.solarbotics.com.
2. www.triindia.co.in/shop/index.php?cPath=55.
3. www.onlinetps.com/ShowCategory.php?Start=5&ByPage=5&CategoryID=15&SubcategoryID=.
4. www.robotz.in/store

In India, solar cells are available at the following retailers (NOTE: These are few of the many retailers):

1. Hyderabad

• Roland Electronics,
  4-3-345/5, Gujrati Galli, Koti, Hyderabad. Phone: 91-40-2475 6823, 91-9849070411
• Sanghvi Brothers
• Kishore Electronics

2. Mumbai

• Gala Electronics,
  21, Kalpana Bldg, 1st Floor, 357, Lamington Road, Mumbai. Phone: 91-22-2387 9562. email: vega63@vsnl.com
  www.vegakitindia.com
• Robosoft Systems,
  A61 Raj Industrial Complex, Military Road, Marol, Andheri (E), Mumbai - 400059. Phone: 91-9869194593 email: fahad.robosoft@gmail.com
  www.robosoftsystems.co.in
• Viraj Electronics,
  Shop no. 10, Mochi Building, Near Police Station, Netaji Subhash Road, Mulund (W).
• Apte Electronics

3. Vadodara

Name Electronics,
Marimata land, Rajmahal Road, Vadodara.

4. Bhopal

Jain Radios,
122, Marwari Road, Bhopal. Mobile: 09826241760.

5. Ahmedabad

Delta Electronic Parts,
27, Sanskar Complex, Near Ketav Petrol Pump, Polytechnic Road, Ambavadi, Ahemadabad.

6. Indore

Natwarlal and Co.,
35, Khatipura, Near Jail Road, Indore. Mobile: 09425318154. email: natwarlal_co@yahoo.co.in

7. Surat

Rajani Radios,
9/60, Wadifalia, Kotsafil Road, Near Canara Bank, Surat.

DC-DC converter

If you use the typical Imported Solar Cells (which have currents around 20 mA and voltages around 5-6 V) then you do not need a DC-DC converter. But if you use the typical solar cell which is available in India, they have voltage around 2 V and current around 150mA, so here when you charge a capacitor in the solar engine it charges only up to 2 V, but if you use a DC-DC converter, it changes the voltage to 5v and decreases the current proportionally and hence capacitor can be charge to a higher value and can discharge giving more power.

You can buy/get a sample at: www.austriamicrosystems.com/03products/products_detail/AS1321/description_AS1321.htm.

Photovore

1. Am I eligible to participate in Photovore?
   All students with a valid identity card of their respective educational institutes are eligible to participate in Photovore.
   A team may consist of a maximum of 3 members. Students from different educational institutes can form a team.


2. How can I register for the competition?
   Registration Process in online in nature. To register click here.


3. Is there any registration fees for the competition?
   Techfest does not charge any registration fees to any of the student participant.


4. What is the Last date of Registration?
   Last date for registration for participant who don't require accommodation at IIT Bombay is 25th December, 2008. Participants need not send the abstract if they don't want the accommodation.
   Last date of registrations for the participants who wish to avail accommodation at IIT Bombay is 15th December, 2008.


5. How can I register for the accommodation?
   Teams will be short listed for accommodation based on the abstract provided by the team. All participants who want accommodation at IIT Bombay during Techfest should fill the abstract form and rename the .doc file as "[Team_no].doc" and email the form to photovore[at]techfest[dot]org. The abstract should reach us latest by 2359 hrs on 15th December 2008.
   Last date for submitting the abstract for participants who require accommodation at IIT Bombay is 15th December, 2008.
   Last date of registrations for the participants who wish to avail accommodation at IIT Bombay is 15th December, 2008.


6. What if my abstract doesn't get shortlisted?
   Please note that even if your abstract does not get short listed, you are still eligible to participate in the competition.


7. What if my machine exceeds the dimensions specified?
   Your machine must be either equal to 250 X250X250 (all are in mm),but not bigger than it.Once you are inside the arena then your machine is allowed to expand itself , provided it doesn't damage the arena .Also note that expanding mechanism should use only solar energy to do so.
   You'll be disqualified from the competition if you don't adhere to given dimensions.


8. Can I use a manually controlled machine for Photovore?
   Photovore is strictly for autonomous machines and manually controlled machines are not allowed.


9. What is the maximum size of solar cell that is allowed?
   The size of the solar cell must not exceed 15 sq. inches (9678 square mm), (excluding the casing) in size


10. Can I use some initially stored energy(in a capacitor ,a spring etc.) ?
    No, all the teams must devise a mechanism to discharge its stored energy. For example shorting wires for the capacitor if the capacitor mechanism is used. The team will be asked to activate this mechanism once at the beginning of every race.


11. Can I use ready-made lego kits,vega kits to make my machine?
    No, participants are not allowed to use ready-made kits.However, use of ready-made gear and assemblies is allowed .


12. Will all the teams get a certificate of participation?
    It will be given to all those teams which crosses the obstacles and reach the largest circle enclosed by square formed by four obstacles.


13. I have some more queries that are not given in this list. What should I do?
    You may contact photovore[at]techfest[dot]org for any further doubts.