R.J. — 2004

R.J. fully assembled in a team member's garage

Our 2004 robot, unofficially named R.J., played the game Raising the Bar. It was our first robot to use pneumatics and the van door motor, our first robot with a welded chassis, and our first robot with an actual gearbox. It featured a unique swiveling hook on the top of its tower, which allowed it to hang from the ten-foot bar on the field successfully, giving it an effective advantage over other robots playing the game.

The robot was able to use its different mechanisms for various purposes, some even not intended in the design. The extending tower was discovered to be able to "uncap" the goals (lift the large yellow balls from the top of the goals), which proved useful during some matches. Though the robot was hard to steer due to its pneumatic tires, it was still a formidable force in game play, getting quarterfinalist at the Los Angeles Regional and taking second place at the Phoenix Regional.

Left: R.J. modeled in Inventor. Right: R.J. modeled in Inventor with tower extended.

Technical Specifications:

Weight: 120lbs.
Height: 60 inches

Drive Train/Chassis

– Single-speed gearbox, based off plans distributed by team 716, of their 2003 gearbox
– Powered by two drill motors
– Pneumatic tires which reduced turning speed and inhibited maneuverability
– Welded chassis that improved strength and saved weight

Mechanical: Arms

– Based off our design for the 2003 arms
– Welded arms with lightening holes
– Each arm powered by one window motor
– Arms would tend to stick under the large yellow balls (the game pieces) and roll underneath, due to the balls' grippy nature

Mechanical: Tower

– Two-segmented tower with lasercut lightening holes courtesy of Hardcore Racing
– Swiveling hook for hanging from bar during game
– Extending tower able to "uncap" goals, which proved strategically useful

Electrical/Pneumatics

– Pneumatics used for for extending tower with swivel hook