Sand Dunes Robot Challenge

This week's Science Saturday took us to the Great Sand Dunes National Park for the Colorado Robot Challenge (click for more information).

This photo is actually the result of four photos being merged together with the photo-stitch software that came with my old camera. My Canon camera had a cool feature that helped to line up consecutive shots for merging but I decided to try the software with four photos that I lined up as best as I could using my mom's Kodak...I think it worked nicely. (Click on the photo to see larger image.)

Several Colorado colleges were represented in the annual Robot Challenge and each robot was unique. The goal for each team was to develop small autonomous robots of less than three pounds capable of navigating harsh terrain similar to what is found in an area devastated by an earthquake or other natural disaster. The robots had to be designed to move around objects and contend with bad traction and steep slopes as they find a radio beacon. I had three favorites: a "walker" robot (Mesa State College), a "screw-driven" robot (Trinidad State Jr. College) and a powerful little monster truck type robot (Colorado State University). It was an absolutely beautiful morning at the Sand Dunes. The wind even held off until everything was just about finished.

We took Jamie's friend, Cortez, with us and they had fun watching the robots, at least for a while. They actually watched the robots a lot longer than I thought they would. The sand and the other kids were just too much to ignore, though, and they soon were digging, climbing and jumping in the sand.

Justin, Jamie & Cortez

On another note...we took Jamie to Carlucci's today to have him measured for a tux! He's going to be a groomsman in Scott & Corrie's wedding over Memorial Day weekend in Salt Lake City. He is going to be the most handsome groomsman EVER!!!