Wildlife Camera Positioning System
Preliminary Problem Statement

Basic problem description:

Wildlife photography is used to learn about the habits of often elusive species.  Learning more about these species allows scientists to better understand their habits and habitats.  This information can, in turn, allow us to prevent species from becoming extinct by learning mating habits, etc. which can be used in captivity to breed.  In addition, the pictures allow everyone to view species that are not often seen.

Often, the pictures of these species must be taken automatically or remotely.  Systems must be capable of tracking the animal once it is detected and take multiple pictures quickly to maximize the time the animal is in the viewing area.

The objective of this contest will be to demonstrate a “proof of concept” design.  The successful design will seek two “animals” (each 12” (305 mm) in diameter) and prove that a “camera” is properly aimed by firing a projectile at the target.  Participants will hit the target as many times as possible in a one (1) minute period, representing the time that the animal/s are in the viewing area.  Bonuses will be awarded for striking both targets as well as for autonomous operation.

The targets will be moving on two parallel 8 ft (2.44 m) long horizontal tracks at a maximum speed of 1 m/s.  The center of one target will be 1 m high and the center of the other will be 0.6 m high.  Targets will be mounted to a 14” x 14” (0.36 m x 0.36) piece of plywood.  The firing device will be located somewhere between 8 m and 10 m from the base of the target support structure.  This distance will be constant for all participants at a given competition, but will vary from competition to competition.  Height of the firing device is not restricted specifically; however, the entire device must fit in a 600mm x 800mm x 300 mm box.

Targets will be V-ball targets as can be seen at http://www.specialopspaintball.com/shop/category.asp?BRAND=VBALL.  The basic target will be used.  Projectiles will be V-balls which can also be seen at the same site.

Requirements

1. For safety, there must be a means of ensuring the device will not fire unintentionally when not in use.  Also, an emergency stop button must be incorporated into the device.  Also, there must be hard stops which prevent the device from firing beyond the target area.

2. If the device is operating autonomously, it must track the targets and fire without any intervention.  During the set-up period, an operator may “find” the target manually.

3. If the device is operating under remote control,
a. The controller and the robot must be connected by an umbilical cord which carries only control signals.  The control box may not include any batteries or auxiliary power.  Radio control is not permitted.
b. The umbilical cord must be connected to the robot through a commercially-available 9 or 15 pin sub-D connector.
c. Only one person may control the device.

4. The entire device must fit within a 600 mm x 800 mm x 300 mm box.  This includes all parts of the device regardless of function and all tools needed to assemble the device.

5. All energy sources for the device must fit within the 600 mm x 800 mm x 300 mm box with the device.  If batteries are used they must be rechargeable.  Device may not use outlet power.

6. If at any time during the competition, the firing device is perceived to be operating in an unsafe manner, the judges may disqualify the device.  This is a judgment call on the part of the judges and is not subject to appeal.  Examples of operating in an unsafe manner include, but are not limited to:
a. Firing projectiles outside the target area.
b. Turning the firing apparatus toward onlookers even if a projectile is not fired.

7. Each team must document the cost of building their device.  This cost is to include the suggested retail price of all purchased parts and the cost of raw materials plus $30 US/hr labor for manufactured parts.  $25 US/hr should be assessed for assembly time.  Labor must be recorded at the time it is performed.  A journal documenting time and cost must be presented to the judges at the time of the contest.  If multiple prototypes are necessary to complete the project, the cost of the final product will be used in scoring.

8. Energy available at the start of the run will be included in the score.  Energy will be calculated assuming all energy sources are fully charged regardless of their actual state.

Contest Operation

1. Immediately following check-in and sizing inspection all teams, concurrently, will be allowed a maximum of 20 minutes to remove their devices from the box and assemble them.  At no time will participants be allowed to test fire their devices at the contest targets.  A test firing area will be provided, during the set-up period, and devices may only be fired within that area and in a safe manner.  Devices determined to be operating unsafely during set-up will be disqualified.

2. Once all teams have assembled and prepared their devices all teams will participate in a 30-minute peer review session.  During that time team members are expected to review all of the competing devices for any potential rules violations.  If a team member suspects a device does not meet contest specifications he or she should report the problem to one of the contest judges.  At the conclusion of the peer review session the judges will resolve any questions and conflicts.  After the close of the peer review session no more questions will be accepted by the judging team from any team member about another team’s device or its operation.

3. During the peer review session the judging team may also conduct their qualification inspections to assure rules compliance

4. Once the judging team has completed inspection and declared a device qualified the device will be placed in an impound area to await its testing turn.  The device must be placed in the impound area in a “ready to run” configuration.

5. Teams will be called to compete in a random order determined prior to the competition. 

6. Once called, the team will proceed to the competition area.  Teams are required to supply their own, new and unopened, 100-ball container of V-balls for the competition.  All balls must be held by the device at the beginning of the team’s firing time.  Inserting V-balls into the firing device is considered part of the set-up. 

7. Upon informing the judges that they will begin set-up, the team will be given a maximum of 3 minutes to set-up their device.

8. Once teams have informed the judges that they are done setting up, they may not touch their device in any way or for any reason until their firing time is completed.

9. Upon a signal from one of the judges, the targets will begin moving on the track and the device will begin tracking and firing projectiles.  Teams will have 1 minute to attempt to fire upon the targets.  At the end of this minute, firing must immediately cease.

10. Only V-balls directly discharged from the firing device and remaining in the air until striking the target will be scored.  No rebounds of any type will be scored.

11. At the judges discretion, and at the end of the contest for qualified devices the judges may allow disqualified teams to demonstrate their devices to other contestants and observers, but scores for these devices will not be kept or reported as they are not part of the contending group.

Scoring

Scoring will be based on the number of balls hitting the target.  In addition, there will be a factor for weight of the device.  Bonuses will be awarded for firing all 100 balls in less than 60 seconds, hitting both targets and running autonomous.

Score = 100*T1 + 50*T2 + (60-t)*10 + 1000*B + 2000 * A – W2 *250 – C – 5*E

Where

T1 = Percent of fired balls in the red or black areas
T2 = Percent of fired balls in gray target area
t = Time to fire all 100 balls
B = 0 if only one target is hit, 1 if both targets are hit
A = 0 if device is remote controlled, 1 if device is autonomous
W = Weight of device in kg
C = Cost in $US
E = Energy available at start of run in Watt-hours

Learning Objectives/Skills Addressed

Automation or Remote Control
Sensors
Motors
Energy
Projectile Motion
Launching Projectile
Linear and/or Rotary Motion
Gearing
Design and Build
Design Costing

Other Applications of Skills

Automation
Robotics
Product Development