"Make it Challenge" is the name of the contest launched by Freescale Semiconductor. This challenge will be part of the Freescale Technology Forum in (June 20-23, 2011 -San Antonio).
During the on-site design competition, contestants will have the opportunity to participate in one of two tracks, Mechatronics Robot or Tower System, each of which provides a different choice of tools with which to build an application. Contestants must complete 1 of 2 training classes (online or onsite at FTF) and will then be given a certificate to select tools and create their own unique design in the Make It Lab during FTF Americas.
Each track will award one prize each to first, second and third place winning contestants. A Grand Prize winning contestant will also be selected from the two first prize winners.
What is the goal of the contest ?
Demonstrate your design & innovation skills, your creativity! The Tower Mechatronics Board can be used in Freescale’s Mechatronics Robot kit, which competitors will use to create a cool, fun, walking, sensing operational robot in a 30-hour period. You'll use ColdFire and Kinetis ARM Cortex-M4 Microcontrollers, Freescale’s Tower ecosystem, CodeWarrior Development Environment, IAR Embedded Workbench.
Freescale's Robot Kit that operates with the Tower System Mechatronics Board is an easy-to-use mechatronics development and demonstration platform. This toolset allows for the science of combining mechanics, electronics, and software into an integrated system. The kit includes four PWM controlled servos (actuators), metal legs, and the Tower System Mechatronics board that has a 3-axis accelerometer and a 12 channel touch sensor. Through building the kit, you can experience what the 4 degree of freedom bipedal walking robot can do. The Tower System Mechatronics board is programmable in C/C++ using CodeWarrior and an on-board OSBDM flash programming tool. For fast prototyping or for individuals without C/C++ experience, the Tower System Mechatronics Board is supported by the Robot Vision Toolkit and RobotSee (a language as simple as BASIC with the power of C).
see the following video and you'll understand how students could create amazing creatures with our Freescale solutions!!
Make It Challenge competitors raced to finish their entries with only 36 hours during the Freescale Technology Forum Make It Challenge. The time limit adds to the challenge. Contestants used the Mechatronics Robot (FSLBOT) or the Tower System as the platform along with VEX Robotics motors, gears and other parts. Entries were judged on application innovation and creativity as well as their ability to integrate different elements of the hardware provided. The engineers that participated are all winners through this great learning experience.
