This year I competed again in the Spark Fun Autonomous vehicle competition. Like others in past years the weather was variable. Snow in the morning broke to sunnier skies by afternoon. A good time was had by all and it was great to see the field of competitors had grown a bit.
My 'bot Dr Zaius' Magnificent Flaming Banana opted for costumes instead of pyrotechnics. It seems there is at least one good spring fire that gives me pause. I was invigorated after seeing my cheap clearance RC truck attempt to make the first turn - straight into the loading dock / dumpster. Other heats were a little disappointing because of a short in my battery connector.
So after winning "best dressed" in my gorilla outfit, I decided that I might try a little harder this year and start earlier. In that vein I have also asserted to myself that I will no longer "rig up" things in a manner that "might work". Instead I will seek to construct things so as "not to fail". And I vowed to obtain a platform worthy of my code.
Enter the Traxxas Slash!
I picked up this little treat at the local hobby supply store. Attracted first to the claims that it can top out at something like 30 MPH and then completely sold when I saw how easy it would be to remove the cover and hack the steering servo and speed control unit.
I think we are in a much better starting position than we were last year but only time will tell!
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