Tracker Challenge

Cymraeg

Tracker Retrieval

The 'Tracker' Unit.
A tracked robot vehicle with a 'hammer' mounted on the front (connected to a motor in port A) and an IR sensor (connected to port 4) at the back. The right tracks are driven by a motor in port C whilst the left are driven by a motor in port B

Select the below heading to reveal the challenge map, programming details and extension activity for your chosen software.

Official Lego Mindstorms Software Tracker Challenge

The Challenge: To navigate the Tracker unit to the hammer target, activate the hammer, then move on the end location.

The robot is in a maze where there is a hammer target in front of a beacon (set to channel 1) that must be hit with the hammer tool. A black taped line then leads out of the room until it reaches a strip of red tape marking the end location
Programming Details

Below are the figures to assist in this challenge for the Tracker unit.

Action Left motor power Right motor power Number of rotations Threshold value
To travel forward one grid square*1 100% 100% 4 n/a
90° turn right 50% -50% 1.4 n/a
Wall detection n/a n/a n/a <10
Beacon detection*2 n/a n/a n/a <70

*1 The maze is made on a 5x5 square grid
*2When traveling forwards

Hammer Controls: The hammer is activated with the 'Medium Motor'. To drop the hammer, you will need only 0.5 rotations at 50% speed. To lift it back into position it's 0.5 rotations at -50% speed. Do NOT exceed these figures as it could lead to damaging the robot, freezing the program or injuring the user.


Extension

How would you need to alter your program to complete the below additions?

The tape line has been extended and then terminates with the red line at the start of a corridor with right-angled corners in both directions before the new exit

Microsoft MakeCode Tracker Challenge

The Challenge: To navigate the Tracker unit to the hammer target, activate the hammer, then move on the end location.

The robot is in a room with a red button that must be activated with the hammer tool. It can be located by following a black taped line which terminates on interception with a green line at the button. A green line then leads out of the room and terminates in a red marking on the floor before negotiating a twisting corridor to the exit.
Programming Details

Below are the figures to assist in this challenge for the Tracker unit.

Action Left motor power Right motor power Number of rotations Threshold value
To travel forward one grid square*1 100% 100% 4 n/a
90° turn right 50% -50% 1.4 n/a
Wall detection n/a n/a n/a <10

*1 The maze is made on a 5x5 square grid

Hammer Controls: The hammer is activated with the 'Medium Motor'. To drop the hammer, you will need only 0.5 rotations at 50% speed. To lift it back into position it's 0.5 rotations at -50% speed. Do NOT exceed these figures as it could lead to damaging the robot, freezing the program or injuring the user.


Extension

How would you need to alter your program to complete the below additions?

The tape line has been extended and then terminates with the red line at the start of a corridor with right-angled corners in both directions before the new exit

Testing Your Program

Members of the Aberystwyth Robotics Club can share a link to their MakeCode program or send a Lego Mindstorms program directly through the club's Discord server.

Non-members who wish to see if their program works can email nar25@aber.ac.uk either the Lego Mindstorms file or a link to their MakeCode program