Final Notes
Final Notes
Final Notes
Final Notes
Final Notes
We sincerely hope you had fun building your SolarSpeeder, and you have just as much fun
giving your local neighbourhood cat something to chase after. But if you want to try your hand
at Solaroller racing, here are the basic rules:
• Maximum solarcell area of 8.06 cm
2
(1.25 inches
2
). Your SolarSpeeder’s solarcell is
7.68 cm
2
(1.19 inches
2
), 95% of the maximum allowed.
• The Solaroller must fit in a cube measuring 15.24cm a side (6 inch cube).
• The track is 1 metre long (3.3 feet) with two lanes separated by a lane wall 2.5cm (1
inch) tall, with a 15.24cm (6 inch) starting and finishing square at each end for each lane.
• The Solaroller must have shorting wires coming out from it that can cross a shorting bar
that is placed at the back of the starting square. This ensures the competitors are fully discharged
until the moment the race begins when the shorting bar is removed.
• Light is guaranteed to be a minimum of one 500 Watt halogen lamp placed 50cm (19.7
inches) above the race platform (often there is much more light).
• Devices must conform to a 2 second stationary rule which means the solaroller cannot
move for a full two seconds after the race has begun. This is to ensure some sort of electronics
have been implemented rather than NASA-quality solarcells connected directly to ultra-preci-
sion motors (it’s been done!).
Your SolarSpeeder won’t technically qualify for ‘Official’ Solaroller racing, as the general
rules specify that kit-built devices (unless modified) are not elegible for competition. But with
what you learn building the SolarSpeeder, you should be able to build your own!
If you are interested in finding out more about BEAM Robotics, the BEAM Robot Games,
and what other products we have to offer, please contact us at:
13
Solarbotics Ltd.
179 Harvest Glen Way N.E.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T3K 4J4
Ph: (403) 232 6268, Toll-free:(866) 276 2687
Fax: (403) 226-3741
Website: http://www.solarbotics.com
Email: help@solarbotics.com
© Copyright Solarbotics Ltd., 1998, 2003
Solarbotics often sponsors a SolarSpeeder race at many of the robot games we attend. If
you can aim your SolarSpeeder to roll through a10cm wide gate 2.4 meters away, you have
a shot at some great Solarbotics prizes!
