Solarroller is a
BEAM
Beam may refer to:
Streams of particles or energy
*Light beam, or beam of light, a directional projection of light energy
**Laser beam
*Radio beam
*Particle beam, a stream of charged or neutral particles
**Charged particle beam, a spatially lo ...
dragster photovore
robot
A robot is a machine—especially one Computer program, programmable by a computer—capable of carrying out a complex series of actions Automation, automatically. A robot can be guided by an external control device, or the robot control, co ...
run by
solar panel
A solar panel is a device that converts sunlight into electricity by using photovoltaic (PV) cells. PV cells are made of materials that produce excited electrons when exposed to light. These electrons flow through a circuit and produce direct ...
that utilizes
sunlight
Sunlight is the portion of the electromagnetic radiation which is emitted by the Sun (i.e. solar radiation) and received by the Earth, in particular the visible spectrum, visible light perceptible to the human eye as well as invisible infrare ...
. In competitions between solarrollers, each one must run one meter in the shortest
time
Time is the continuous progression of existence that occurs in an apparently irreversible process, irreversible succession from the past, through the present, and into the future. It is a component quantity of various measurements used to sequ ...
possible. Components include
pager motors,
capacitor
In electrical engineering, a capacitor is a device that stores electrical energy by accumulating electric charges on two closely spaced surfaces that are insulated from each other. The capacitor was originally known as the condenser, a term st ...
s,
resistor
A resistor is a passive two-terminal electronic component that implements electrical resistance as a circuit element. In electronic circuits, resistors are used to reduce current flow, adjust signal levels, to divide voltages, bias active e ...
s,
transistor
A transistor is a semiconductor device used to Electronic amplifier, amplify or electronic switch, switch electrical signals and electric power, power. It is one of the basic building blocks of modern electronics. It is composed of semicondu ...
s, and solar panels.
There are several different kinds of configurations of solarrollers, with bigger or smaller wheels, one or two motors. Configurations differences include:
*
motor
An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert one or more forms of energy into mechanical energy.
Available energy sources include potential energy (e.g. energy of the Earth's gravitational field as exploited in hydroelectric power gene ...
(number and output),
*
wheel
A wheel is a rotating component (typically circular in shape) that is intended to turn on an axle Bearing (mechanical), bearing. The wheel is one of the key components of the wheel and axle which is one of the Simple machine, six simple machin ...
s (number and size), and
*
frame
A frame is often a structural system that supports other components of a physical construction and/or steel frame that limits the construction's extent.
Frame and FRAME may also refer to:
Physical objects
In building construction
*Framing (con ...
designs
This robot type always moves forwards. The motor drives one or more wheels. A "
Solar Engine
Solar may refer to:
Astronomy
* Of or relating to the Sun
** Solar telescope, a special purpose telescope used to observe the Sun
** A device that utilizes solar energy (e.g. "solar panels")
** Solar calendar, a calendar whose dates indicate t ...
" circuit is used to feed the robot.
Solarroller's speed is directly related to the amount of light robot registers on its optical sensor. Most are driven by an electronic "
relaxation oscillator
In electronics, a relaxation oscillator is a nonlinear electronic oscillator circuit that produces a nonsinusoidal repetitive output signal, such as a triangle wave or square wave. on Peter Millet'Tubebookswebsite The circuit consists of a ...
", in which a charge is accumulated in a capacitor while at rest and then suddenly released in the drive mechanism.
See also
*
Mark Tilden
Mark W. Tilden is a robotics physicist who produces complex robotic movements from simple analog logic circuits, often with discrete electronic components, and usually without a microprocessor. He is controversial because of his libertarian Tilde ...
Further reading
* "''Simple Solaroller''". Electronics Now, June, 1997.
Solarroller circuits Mark Tilden's hand-written notes (c. 1990), solarbotics.net.
Solarroller mechanics Mark Tilden's hand-written notes (c. 1990), solarbotics.net.
External articles
BEAM robotics Yahoo! group*
ttps://web.archive.org/web/20060220151704/http://www.robotgames.net/RobotGames/Event_Rules/2002-BEAM-solaroller.htm 2003 BEAM SolarRoller Race robotgames.net
Solarrollers on the BEAM Wiki
Solar car racing
Solar energy
BEAM robotics