14/04/2012
Many robots are designed to do simple tasks in an efficient way to make our lives easier. But what if robotic machines did simple tasks in an over-complicated way? That’s what we asked NXTLOGgers to explore in the Crazy Contraption building challenge. We saw ball contraptions, computer keyboard clickers, and even LEGO brick sorters perform their jobs but in the most creatively complicated ways you can imagine! Yes we’re inspired by the work of Rube Goldberg for this one! Make sure to visit, comment, rate, and get inspired by all the entries by searching the tag "crazycontraption."
Here are the winners:
FAN FAVORITE AWARD:
This award is based on the ratings from the NXTLOG Community.
The Crazy Colorful Contraption
Created by:
NXTein1996
With stairs, and ramps, and conveyor belts, and swirling designs, and colorful balls... The Crazy Colorful Contraption was a fan favorite! It seems that NXTLOGgers like Great Ball Contraptions as many made it into the top five of fan voting. NXTein1996 provides photos of the model and program, but we would all love to see a video of this robot in action. Pretty please? Yor fans are waiting!
JUDGES AWARD:
This award will go to a creative project the judges feel deserve special merit.
Crazy Contraption music maker v2
Created by: han-solo-ninja13
We believe this invention deserves special merit with the Judges Award, as this is han-solo-ninja13's second time creating a music making robot (see the first project here: Music Maker), and revisting an old idea in a new way is just one way to innovate. We don't think this robot shows the most efficient way to play an instrument, but this challenge is all about making things more complicated for fun! This robot flings a LEGO zamor sphere on to a xylophone and it makes the magic wand sound as the ball bounces across it. The video that's included in the NXTLOG captures the magic. Nice work han-solo-ninja13!
BEST TECHNICAL PRESENTATION:
We looked for NXTLOGs that best documented how the Crazy Contraption robot was designed, programmed, and functions in a clear, concise, and creative way.
"The Circulator"
Created by: nxtstep101
"The Circulator" is a minimalist designed GBC (Great Ball Contraption) that circulates small plastic balls through 3 different modules and ends up at the beginning, and starts all over again. nxtstep101 takes readers through each module in the NXTLOG with beautiful photos, descriptions, a video, and program file. Great work nxtstep101 on clearly documenting your robot's technical capabilities!
MOST CREATIVE PRESENTATION & ARTFUL DESIGN:
Is your Crazy Contraption amazing to watch? How are you using NXTLOG creatively to document your project?
Circular Reasoning 2
Circular Reasoning 2 Part 2
Circular Reasoning Part 3
Created by: MySnailEatsPizza
It is once in a blue moon that we combine awards, but after carefully reviewing all the projects submitted in this challenge, MySnailEatsPizza's three circular reasoning projects fit both of these award categories so perfectly, that we just had to award three projects two awards. The judges' jaws dropped at the video, we couldn't stop watching this robot in action and we hope MySnailEatsPizza never takes it apart! With pumping stairs, ball flippers, conveyors, and LOTS of colorful LEGO pieces and creative descriptions, this crazy ball contraption is full of artful design. Also, the NXTLOGs are not only fun to read, but they are full of MySnailEatsPizza's creative personality. Thanks for making something so complicated so much FUN!
HONORABLE MENTION(S)
Many robots submitted to this building challenge were not considered for awards becuase they were missing .rbt program files. Please don't forget to read the rules and award criteria! Some of the contenders are honorably mentioned here, as well as projects that did follow all the award criteria!
GLBC
Created by: Maerskfan
Great Ball Contraption (GBC)_2
Created by: NatoNX
Rube Goldberg Stingray clock
Created by: idkwhoyouare
NXT Dice Rolling Machine
Created by: waitpuppy2
A complicated way to press a button!
Created by: 65ni
Brick Mover Machine
Created by: shoefly1997
The Complicated Computer Button Presser
Created by: ADRELF
'Rube Goldberg Type Light Switch'
Created by: sparra_mc