V Robotic Olympic Games
       
In charge: Danilo Rodrigues César (UFBA)
       
Nomenclature
      
IHL – Open Source Hardware Interface
DEC – Electronic Devices to be Commanded
SASL – System and Applications in Open Source Software
      
Olympic games presentation
      
The 5th Latin American Open Source Robotic Olympic Games will take place during Latinoware 2011. The event has a workshop like nature, since all the information is shared through inter-group collaboration. A maximum of 20 participants will be allowed (split into five groups with four members), because one Open Source Hardware Interface (IHL) will be built for each group, in addition to building one "robotic artifact" using scrap material, that will be controlled by the IHL.
       
Groups will be formed on the first day of the games, and, during the event, each group will define the theme/material they will use in the games (bearing in mind the constraints imposed by the IHL and the time-frame of the competition). On the last day, each group will present their final product built from “technology waste”. A commission of engineers from Itaipu Bi-National will evaluate the artifacts built, and the best project wins a prize to be defined by the organizing committee of Latinoware.
      
The IHL is responsible for communication between the control software and electronic devices to be commanded. It features low cost and ease in assembling, since nearly all components are found in obsolete or out of use computer or electronic equipment. Components excessively difficult to find in discarded equipment, can be purchased in electronic ware stores. Based on the IHL design, in their groups, participants build their own IHLs. It is worth highlighting that basic materials will be provided free of charge.
     
Stages
      
Awareness — Lecture on Open Source Robotics, to obtain clarity around the pedagogic proposal and the activities.
      
Driving Themes — Exhibition of operation and the possibilities for using robotic technology, as the design integration element, around which the activities proposed are structured.
        
Basic Qualification — Specific learning at level sufficient for understanding the operation of the devices and resources (IHL, DEC and SASL) of the following content: computer sciences; electricity and electronic; binary logic; programming language: Shell script and Logo; PCB assembly; notions of electromechanical devices: motors and sensors; construction and re-use of materials: pulleys, gears/cogwheels, shafts; design notions.
      
Experiments with control of DEC — Using DEC models previously built and tested by the course proposer, the group visualizes concretely control of DECs using robotics. In this stage, participants learn about assembling DECs and the required circuits (IHL, wiring, wiring for power source, etc.), using the IHL and DECs available.
      
Planning of DEC control design — Organization of the group into smaller sub-groups, called teams. Teams present and discuss in their group their specific project design, which must contain name, description, assembly diagram, spreadsheet of materials used and draft of the initial time-line.
     
Assembly of IHL — In the beginning, the course instructor points out the out of use or obsolete equipment where the components to assemble the IHL can be found. From this drive unit , the instructor instigates groups to look for alternative sources of equipment, for extraction of the components needed to assemble the IHL.
     
Assembly of DEC control design — In this stage, the course instructor points out the equipment that usually contain electromechanical devices, such as motors and sensors, in addition to materials that will be useful for participants in assembling their DEC control design, such as shafts, pulleys, gears, wiring, connection terminals, resistors, etc. It is worth reminding them that in this case possibilities are not limited to computer equipment and the course instructor urges participants to look for alternative sources.
     
Evaluation — Evaluations are cyclical, i.e., evaluation is ongoing throughout the duration of the course for all activities, design developed, processes involved and the final product at the OPEN SOURCE ROBOTIC GAMES.
      
Participation information
       
To participate, register on the site using the following link “registration for mini-courses” and deposit the corresponding amount in the account informed in the registration system.
      
It is advisable that participants are conversant with respect to electronics (printed circuit board etching, solder and welding of electronic components, etc.) and basic programming language (programming is done in shell script, using the Kommander, C++ applications and other programming languages). Each group will have follow up by an engineering graduation student who will act as counselor, provided by the Organizing Committee.
     
More information: robotica@latinoware.org
    
ATTENTION: Regulations, as well as the Registration Form, will be available shortly.
     
Support material     
http://libertas.pbh.gov.br/~danilo.cesar/robotica_livre
http://www.roboticalivre.org/
      
Observation: All the necessary technological waste for the Olympic Games will be provided by the organization, and teams are allowed to bring their own waste, if they so wish.
     
The Organizing Committee will also provide a basic tool kit.