19 February 2011, we are painfully close to completion. Almost all vehicle components are assembled, with only a handful of parts left. Remaining is the mini-bot deployment system, as the singular sliding mechanism is unfitting for the full weight of the mini-bot. The drive configuration needs to be resolved, for the current setup undesirably leaves each side of drive wheels moving in opposite directions. Until remedied, this will leave the vehicle to spin in circles in perpetuity.
The project is wired and bolted down however, so any improvements left are few compared to what has been completed thus far. Our construction process has been hugely beneficial considering the frequent interruptions due to snow days and school cancellations. The team's cyclic build process places our electricians and encoder people, who are essential for the functioning of the robot, at the forefront of the construction and inseparable from any progress. Every 30-45 minutes of construction is immediately followed by 15-20 minutes of an all-electric vehicle functionality test. This enables us to rapidly identify mechanical and wiring flaws and correct them before advancing beyond a point where remedy of the discovered problem is of any convenience to us. This system of constant updates and tests, even as we complete construction, will hopefully allow the team to meet its deadline for shipment.
All things considered, on vital question remains, with a full integration of all systems, will the robot work?
Jake Landry