2013-2014: Block Party

Block Party is played on a 12’x12’ square field with approximately 1’-high walls and a soft foam mat playing surface. Two randomly selected teams are paired together as an alliance to play one match against a second alliance. Alliances are designated as either “red” or “blue".

Scoring Elements are 100, 2”, 2oz. plastic blocks. These blocks are yellow and can be used by all robots. At the center of the field is an assembly that includes a center bridge, pull-up bar, and two pendulums – each with four “pendulum goal baskets.” Below the pendulums are floor scoring areas. An infrared (IR) beacon is randomly placed under one of the four goals on each pendulum after robots are placed on the field, but before the autonomous period starts. The field includes tape to aid robot navigation and to mark protected areas. Each alliance also has their own flagpole in opposite corners of the field.

The Game starts with a 30-second autonomous period where robots are operated via pre-programmed instructions only. Prior to the start of the match, an IR beacon navigation aid is placed randomly on one of four pendulum goals. Autonomous blocks placed in the goal designated by the IR beacon receive bonus points. Robots gain points in autonomous by: driving to the bridge and parking partially or fully upon it, placing blocks in the floor-scoring area below the balance, or placing blocks in the pendulum goals.

During the driver-controlled period, teams retrieve up to four blocks at a time from one of two block zones and place them in pendulum or floor goals. Blocks may not be de-scored from the pendulum goals, but may be de-scored from the floor goals. Alliances may score blocks into their opponent’s pendulum goals, except during the end game period.

The final thirty seconds of the driver-controlled period is called the end game. In addition to placing blocks in the scoring areas, robots earn points in the end game by: raising their alliance flag up a flagpole, raising themselves off of the ground using the bridge pull-up bar, and ending the match with a balanced pendulum.

(Game Information from One-Page Game Description)

Competitions

• Cleveland Regional Qualifier at Cuyahoga Community College
• Southwestern Pennsylvania Regional Qualifier at Shady Side Academy
• Ohio State Competition at iSPACE Cincinnati
• Pennsylvania State Competition at Millersville University

Awards and Recognitions

• Inspire Award (Cleveland Regional Qualifier)
• Winning Alliance Captain (Cleveland Regional Qualifier)
• 3rd Place Inspire Award (Southwestern Pennsylvania Regional Qualifier)
• Finalist Alliance Member (Southwestern Pennsylvania Regional Qualifier)
• Judge's Award for Autonomous Programming (Southwestern Pennsylvania Regional Qualifier)
• Semifinalist Alliance Member (Ohio State Competition)