You met the criteria for the challenge, except the one you missed- you built a machine, not a robot, and the competition was for robots. The differences are nuanced, debatable, and there are some different ideas on what a robot is- but for the most part- a machine can perform simple or complex tasks, often repeatably. A robot generally fits these criteria too- but a robot can be given instructions, and it can also be given a new set of instructions and be able to perform other tasks or actions beyond the pre determined ones built into it, without need to change the machines structure.
* Addendum:
Please be aware that many would say: “what does that matter? If it solves the problem and is simpler, isn’t that better? The egg heads were just salty they got beat at their game!” Or something like that.
But there is a reason that it must be a robot, and why there are bonus points for actually checking rooms and such- imagine you have an actual disaster. A building or mine or such is sealed off or too dangerous to send in rescuers. There are a number of people inside, possibly unknown exactly how many.
Now- you could flood the structure with gas that would use up all the air- maybe. At scale that could be not feasible and likely a bit expensive. Dropping a giant chunk of dry ice into the place and shattering it with concussive force would cause some problems. But without air- the people trapped likely die anyway. If you don’t have the “Olympus view” and don’t know how many flames there are or if new fires have started- how do you know your dry ice bomb worked before you go in? Without a robot that can check and confirm the fire is out, you’d need a human to check right? Which is the thing we are trying to avoid by using a fire fighting robot isn’t it?
Now some of that is a bit meta to the competition, and the rules we have been given don’t explicitly state such criteria- but the machine our dude built wasn’t a robot, and the rules state it must be a robot. Had he created a tiny robot hammer arm to break the ice- that I would argue would have met the terms of the rules even if it went against the spirit- so long as the rules don’t ban such things or stipulate a discretionary clause- robot hammer and dry ice works. But- a spring loaded hammer alone does not fit most any modern definition of robotics.
Can you imagine someone airlifting a massive block of dry ice and just dropping it on a burning building? I mean, it would be hilarious, but in a very dark and sick sense.
Lol. Agreed. Although as a controlled, everyone has been evacuated and held back a safe distance sort of “myth busters” scenario- it becomes near 100% fun!
Please be aware that many would say: “what does that matter? If it solves the problem and is simpler, isn’t that better? The egg heads were just salty they got beat at their game!” Or something like that.
But there is a reason that it must be a robot, and why there are bonus points for actually checking rooms and such- imagine you have an actual disaster. A building or mine or such is sealed off or too dangerous to send in rescuers. There are a number of people inside, possibly unknown exactly how many.