SparkFun Forums 

Where electronics enthusiasts find answers.

This forum is for AVC competitors to ask SparkFun for guidance and clarification in regards to our Autonomous Vehicle Competition.
By jwatte
#194640
Is there a defined minimum barrel clearance?

I'm looking for a minimum guaranteed clearance between any two barrels (but not necessarily barrel and haybales/side.)

I understand that there's no guaranteed "straight path" though, which is fine, but I need to know how much space there is to maneuver. I'd hope for at least 3 feet clearance ring around each barrel. (Clearance rings may overlap, but the distance between any two barrels would be at least 3 feet.)

Separately, is there a specification of how "rough" the "wall climbing" ramp will be?
What will be the maximum depth of crevices, and maximum/minimum length of span of crevices, and minimum/maximum width of elements?
Or, if this is "glue stuff to a flat board," what are the dimensions of the cross sections of those things?
User avatar
By SFE_Mech_Eng_Evan
#194645
jwatte, per your recommendation, there is officially a 36" minimum clearance between barrels, but not from a barrel to the hay-bale wall.

The size, shape, placement, and density of the elements on the horizontal climbing wall is as-of-yet undefined. However, the elements will likely consist of scrap construction lumber (e.g. bits of 2x2, 2x4, 1/2" cladding scraps etc.). Vehicles will not be required to bluntly transcend a vertical of 3 1/2" (the waking edge of a 2x4).
By jwatte
#194647
Thanks for the additional information!

Any more information you can share would of course be useful as it becomes available :-)

Separately, if you can provide a number of snapshots of the course elements (various vinyl tapes, pedestrian dummy, etc) taken with different cameras in different lighting environments, ideally from about 1-2' above ground vantage point, that'd be super swell, too!
By jessejay356
#194648
On a related note... what happens if a competitor knocks over a barrel and there is no longer a clear route?
By tedmeyers
#194653
Can we also get approximate dimensions of the horizontal climbing wall portion (width, length, height)?

[The size, shape, placement, and density of the elements on the horizontal climbing wall is as-of-yet undefined. However, the elements will likely consist of scrap construction lumber (e.g. bits of 2x2, 2x4, 1/2" cladding scraps etc.). Vehicles will not be required to bluntly transcend a vertical of 3 1/2" (the waking edge of a 2x4).[/quote]
User avatar
By SFE_Mech_Eng_Evan
#194655
@jwatte
At present, no snapshots have been taken of this year's obstacles, however the hoop and barrels are the same obstacles we've used for AVC in years past.

As we procure supplies (vinyl tape, etc.) for the track and build obstacles, this GitHub repository will serve as home for the images we generate:
https://github.com/ESpitler/AVC2017_images

@jessejay
Given the clearance rule added above, complete obstruction seems unlikely. However, vehicles are allowed to push or otherwise move the barrels autonomously. If a complete obstruction occurs due to a felling of a barrel, the the vehicle is advised to push through, although this may slow the vehicle's run.
User avatar
By SFE_Mech_Eng_Evan
#194656
tedmeyers wrote:Can we also get approximate dimensions of the horizontal climbing wall portion (width, length, height)?
The horizontal climbing wall will be approximately 96" x 96" (two 4'x8' sheets of plywood/OSB/similar) with a rise in the center of no more than 6" (not counting obstacle elements) extending laterally across half of the track.