AFRON "$10 ROBOT" DESIGN CHALLENGE: SUBMISSIONS DUE 15 SEPTEMBER
"$10 Robot" Design Challenge aims to spur the design of a new class of
inexpensive robots for learning.

This challenge is an opportunity to think creatively about robotics
platforms that can be inexpensively built and/or manufactured and that are
useful for science and/or technology education at primary, secondary or
tertiary levels. In this competition, the interest is in designs that can
be hand assembled based on a few easily obtained parts (e.g., motors,
servos, sensors, etc.) and designs that could be assembled/manufactured
centrally at low cost and made available.  The hope is to receive designs
that can spur open-source sharing of software and programs. The "$10
Robot" is a challenge to get participants thinking creatively. The $10 USD
is a target, but designed under $100 USD will also be accepted.

For the purpose of this competition, a robot must be programmable and
respond in some way to its environment (this could be through sensors,
switches, and/or the camera built into a laptop). Mobile robots and/or
robotic manipulators are all eligible. Other than those implied by cost,
there are no restrictions on materials, sensors, or control systems.

Submissions will be judged on the following criteria with bonus for robots
that have been built and demonstrated with experimental data:
Educational impact - how useful and reliable is your robot for education?
Reproducibility - how easy is it to re-create your robot?
Affordability - how close to $10 can you get?

The competition is open to individuals, teams and institutions.  Nine
winners will receive a cash prize, through the sponsorship of the Robotics
& Automation Society, and a Raspberry Pi.  First, second and third place
will be awarded for each of the following categories of robots: tethered,
traditional and all-in-one.

Complete details can be found at www.robotics-africa.org/design_challenge.
 Submissions are due by 15 September 2012.

The African Robotics Network (AFRON) is a community of institutions,
organizations and individuals engaged in robotics in Africa. AFRON seeks
to promote communication and collaborations that will enhance
robotics-related education, research, and industry on the continent. To
achieve this, AFRON organizes projects, meetings and events in Africa and
at robotics and automation conferences abroad.

         Abracos,

Jose Paulo Vilela Soares da Cunha
Professor Adjunto