1. Lab 1: Rube Goldberg Machine due Wednesday, January 25 in class…...….…. Teaching Assistants: Kate Killfoile Steven Shamlian 16-311 Introduction to Robotics

2. What is a Rube Goldberg Machine? A Rube Goldberg machine is a device that achieves a simple task through a process of overly complex steps.

3. Example R. G. Machine

4. Challenge Statement Build a Rube Goldberg machine that triggers the launch of a flying craft  Acceptable triggers include pushing a button, pushing/pulling a lever or yanking a string. If you think you have a good idea, ask us!  Acceptable flying crafts include airplanes, hot air balloons, space shuttles, and blimps.

5. Constraints Base Constraints: 3’x 4’ Height Constraints: 5’ Cannot use electricity in the forms of batteries or wall power. Other forms of power generation welcomed.

6. Grading A(95): 5 Energy Transfers B(85): 4 Energy Transfers C(75): 3 Energy Transfers D(65): 2 Energy Transfers F(55): < 2 Energy Transfers F- (0): No Machine at all 

7. Bonus Points +5 points (+2 after) for each machine successfully attached to another machine in serial. A serial connected machine is defined as one whose first energy transfer is initiated by the final energy transfer of the previous machine.  The machines are serially connected if either the flying craft triggers the next group’s machine, or the final launch mechanism of the flying craft triggers the next group’s machine.

8. Bonus Points (cont.) Bonus Points = 5+(n-2)*2  (where n = total machines running to completion in serial) Ex: 2 machines together  +5 bonus 3 machines together  +7 bonus ………. 10 machines together  +21 bonus!! Tell Steve by 12:00pm on Sunday if you want to pursue bonus points!

9. Human Interventions Machines are allowed two interventions  one to start the machine  one if something unexpected occurs Serially connected machines are allowed n+1 interventions  one to start the machine  one if something unexpected occurs per group machine

10. Questions? The webpage is your friend. See http://www.generalrobotics.org/labs/lab01/. Kate is your friend. Steve is your friend if your question isn’t dumb.