Lab 1: Rube Goldberg Machine

Teaching Assistants: Richard Juchniewicz

Steven Shamlian

16-311 Introduction to Robotics

What is a Rube Goldberg Machine?

• A Rube Goldberg machine is a device that achieves a simple task through a process

of overly complex steps.

Example R. G. Machine

Challenge Statement

• Build a Rube Goldberg machine that will dispense a Super Bouncy Ball when a TA inserts a quarter.

Constraints

• Base Constraints: 3’x 4’

• Height Constraints: 5’

• Cannot use electricity in the forms of batteries or wall power. Other forms of power generation welcomed.

Grading

• A(95): 5 Energy Transfers

• B(85): 4 Energy Transfers

• C(75): 3 Energy Transfers

• D(65): 2 Energy Transfers

• F(55): < 2 Energy Transfers

• F- (0): No Machine at all

Bonus Points

• +5 points (+2 after) for each machine successfully attached to another machine in serial.

• A serial connected machine is defined as one whose first energy transfer is initiated by the final energy transfer of the previous machine.

Bonus Points (cont.)

• Ex: 2 machines together +5 bonus

3 machines together +7 bonus

……….

10 machines together +21 bonus!!

• Bonus Points = 5+(n-2)*2

• n = total number machines that run to completion in serial