User's Guide
Introduction
Features
Requirements
Controller
Chassis
Assembly
Testing
Troubleshooting
Programming
Contests
Extending
Appendix
Hints
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Resistors
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Servos
Batteries
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Introduction
History (Mark I, Mark II)
The Mark III Robot is the successor to the two previous robot kits designed and sold by the Portland Area Robotics Society. PARTS founder Marvin Green organized the first PARTS MiniSumo competition at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) in 2000. He developed an inexpensive kit, known as the "Mark I" or "Marvin Slyder" to sell to contestants and stimulate interest in the event. This first contest was a success, with x participants, free kits to schools, etc. A description of MiniSumo Mark I can be found at http://www.rdrop.com/users/marvin/omsi/sumo.htm.A second annual contest was held in May of 2001, also at OMSI. Once again, an inexpensive robot kit, the "Mark II", was sold by PARTS to encourage participation. The Mark II was very similar to the previous year's Mark I, with the exception of the infrared proximity sensors used to detect the opponent robot and a small modification in the chassis design. Marvin Green, Pete Skeggs, and Daryl Sandberg collaborated on the design of the Mark II. Details of the MiniSumo Mark II can be found at http://www.portlandrobotics.org/doc/MarkII_instructions.pdf.
The first two kit designs, the Mark I and Mark II, were made specifically to be MiniSumo robots - that is, to compete exclusively in MiniSumo contests. They were both quite capable of that task.
The Mark II was the starting point for the design of the Mark III. Change CPU, improve all aspects of the Mark II, including price and performance. Sold as an entire kit. More complicated, but still accessible for beginners and more importantly general-purpose and expandable. Tim Rohaly is now selling Mark III kits at http://www.junun.org/MarkIII/Store.jsp.
Other changes - event renamed PDXBot, with the 2002 event earning the designator PDXBot.02. Relocated to Portland State University's Smith Center Ballroom, larger capacity.
Mark III as general-purpose robot
Everything in one kit, can use kit for more than just MiniSumo. Part of kit, e.g. Controller board, can be used on other robots.PIC with bootloader is basic architecture
More powerful than Basic Stamp, no special equipment required.Design Goals
Goals mirror the goals of PARTS as an organization. Namely...PDXBOT
The reason PARTS has spent the time and effort to create an affordable robot kit is to enhance the annual event, PDXBot. More information on PDXBot, including event, rules, instructions for participating, can be found at http://www.portlandrobotics.org/PDXBOT/.License terms
PARTS holds the copyright to the Mark III design. The Mark III hardware design and associated software are available for any non-commercial or non-profit use without restrictions. If you want to use them commercially, you need to contact PARTS at licensing@portlandrobotics.org and get permission. Complete details of the license are available at http://www.junun.org/MarkIII/License.jsp.Legal Disclaimer
Whereas if we could afford a lawyer, this would be a nicely worded legal statement that would be as airtight as a hatchway on the Space Shuttle. But since we can't, we can only warn you in writing to be careful.If improperly handled, this thing can be dangerous! Please watch for sharp edges and don't put any parts in your or anyone else's mouth. And for gosh sakes, be real careful with the soldering iron! Grab it by the cool end because the other one gets hot enough to melt metal.
If you're under 18, make sure your parents know what you're doing. If you're real young, you should have an adult help or at least supervise.
We are not responsible if you hurt yourself or anyone else while assembling or using this robot. We cannot assume any liability even if you act a fool and break something valuable. If you do, we can say we warned you and it's your fault, OK?
While we're disclaiming, we also need to say that we don't guarantee this product will even work. We just know it worked for us after assembly and are pretty sure it will for you.
