AMRoC is happy to announce the Frontier Robotics Challenge, in partnership with First Step Marketing . This summer robotics competition invites competitors ages 13+, working with a team of 2 or more, to build a robotic mechanism that can retrieve a variety of premiums (swag) – sunglasses, masks, hats, etc (samples available soon)  and deliver them to guests at events in a safe manner. Winning build will be purchased by Frontier for use at events.

Competition Overview

The Challenge will be held in two stages:

Stage 1 – Deadline July 31: Conceptual Design & Proposal Challenge
3 top designs selected to move on to Stage 2 and awarded a small parts allowance of $500. Conceptual designs (CAD or clearly drawn design) and solution description clearly explaining how the robotic mechanism works, will be submitted for review by July 31, and evaluated on the following criteria:

  • Mechanism can be either desktop or floor standing but must be able to easily and safely deliver swag to a guest.
  • Mechanism must be able to detect a guest and engage in some way, with extra consideration given to degree of entertaining customer interaction.
  • The mechanism can be fully autonomous or partly guest operated, but less hands-on the better.
  • Design appearance is important and should include clean wiring and elegant design with extra consideration given for things like lighting and sounds.
  • Special consideration given to teams using recycled electronic materials.

Proposal must be no more than 3 pages in length, plus sketches/designs.

Stage 2- Deadline September 30: Robot Build Challenge

Top 3 teams will receive $500 to build their robot , and the opportunity to use AMRoC Fab Lab workshop and resources for their build. Final products will be showcased at a Demo Day Skills Challenge at AMRoC Fab Lab in Tampa, where their completed mechanisms will be put through their paces, including:

  • Interacting with guests
  • Selecting and distributing a variety of swag to guests
  • Speed test – how fast it collects and distributes swag

And will be judged by:

  • Ability to hand swag to guests smoothly and quickly
  • Degree of autonomous vs. manual capability
  • Degree of interaction with guests
  • Ability and speed needed to detect guests
  • Mechanism’s overall appearance

The winning mechanism will be the one judged the most consistent, reliable, and entertaining by a panel of judges from Frontier and AMRoC Fab Lab.

Winning team will be awarded $2000 and recognized by Frontier at high profile events. Submit your proposal by 11pm on July 31 here.  Top three entrants will receive $500 and move on to next stage of the competition.  Go teams!

Click here for submission page