In this video tutorial, we demonstrate a full run of all the missions in the FIRST LEGO League 2023-2024 MASTERPIECE Challenge robotics competition, using the MiniBox - a LEGO Education SPIKE Prime robot.
These kinds of runs are extremely useful for teams looking to see how they can tackle the entire range of missions, pushing their accuracy, speed, and self-control to the limit.
In this video tutorial, we use the MiniBox box robot to accomplish the whole FIRST LEGO League 2023 field.
Usually, we don't do full runs. For this year, we've decided because we saw that there is a need for us to share a few things around strategy. We did a full run with the Chain Monster box robot. Now, we are doing a full run with the MiniBox box robot. We are not focused on time here. So time is, if we only see the runs from the base, the time is okay. We also need some time to discuss and to share a few things. And there is some training that should be done on how fast we can load the different attachments. But the principles of how we accomplish the whole field is what's important. For this particular robot, you can see that it leaves some of the attachments on the field. This is because we want to do detachable attachments with this robot. We want to place them in such a way that they are detachable. We want to leave them on the field. There are certain cases in which this makes sense and it could be a powerful tool. We set it as a goal for us: Can we do this for the whole run?
Most of the attachments that are used are then left on the field, which is fun. Also, sometimes, in this way, you can support the mission model. The other thing that's important as a strategy is there are mission models close to base. Try to accomplish them in a single run. And then these are easy points because they are close to base. If you fail, try to build the program in a way that you can only repeat the current execution of the program for the current mission. Try to build the program in such a way because programs fail sometimes. Try to practice a lot, practice a lot with how accurately you can place the attachments on the robot. Because, when you're under pressure, you sometimes miss or forget, or don't place the attachment right or don't align the robot right. So, there needs to be a lot of practice. You should start the robot 50 times. You should do 50 practices, 100 practices. Because in the end, you are running and you're playing for time. It's only two and a half minutes for the whole run. You should practice. You should practice on how to place the attachments. The other thing is these missions are structured in such a way that you can accomplish them by moving from one base to another. You can move from one base to another and you don't have to return to the base from which the robot started. There were years in FIRST LEGO League that I would argue were a little bit more challenging and fun because you had to return back to base and there was only one base. The current version of FIRST LEGO League is a lot easier because you can just move the robot to the other base. But I guess there is a balance. I have my own personal preference for having a single base because it's a little bit more challenging on the programming side and you should be more careful there. It gives you a chance to learn more about programming. While here the programming is a little bit easier with recent versions of FIRST LEGO League but that's okay. It's just the way the competition is structured. For this run that we currently see, there is a huge attachment. So, there are many attachments on the robot. And these many attachments, they are loaded. And as we load them, we go and we accomplish six missions in a single run. We deliver, we precisely drop, we press down, we return, we detach. We again precisely drop, we again press down, we engage with the lever.
You see how the attachments are detached, but no problem. We continue with the execution.
Sometimes the robot could fail. You can see a full run of this particular mission where it is successful. Here it fails. So when it fails, you bring it back to base. When you bring it back to base, you try to adjust it. You miss one of the missions. You didn't accomplish it. You take it, you return it back to base. You have to be ready with the program. That the program could move to the next part in the programming. These are all strategy decisions that you should take during the season. To prepare for kind of a successful run because the run is always kind of successful. It's very rare that you get all the points. Things happen. Things happen with the robot.
One last run from the base.
We want to accomplish the mission model that's on the left in the recording, and the robot will stop there.
Try to reproduce by following the breakdown tutorials. Try to reproduce specific runs with specific attachments for specific missions, not the whole field. The whole field is quite difficult. Try to reproduce the specifics, and this will give you the tools, and you'll learn the principles of how you build certain attachments. And as you know how to build certain attachments, it will be easier for you to accomplish the missions for the next competition. SUBMERGED has already started. We don't release solutions until the season is over. And now we are in the season of SUBMERGED. This is the MASTERPIECE. Let's just take a look at the last run, and that's it. Almost a full field accomplished.
This Tutorial is used in the following courses and lessons
In this course, we demonstrate and explain example solutions for the FIRST LEGO League 2023-2024 MASTERPIECE competition using the MiniBox box robot as a base, with custom-built attachments. Every year, we share our solutions and insights only after the season is over. The course is unique in its focus on multi-mission runs, showcasing runs that accomplish 3, 4, and even 5 and 6 missions. We then dive into the details of each specific mission. As you follow the course, try replicating the solutions to better understand the programs and explanations. This approach teaches students and teachers the principles of accomplishing missions in FLL robotics competitions and how to help your team score more points. Moreover, with the MiniBox, you will definitely have fun leaving the attachments on the mat. That will save you some precious time preparing for the next run!
Before starting this course, we recommend reviewing the FIRST LEGO League robot game guide.
Let’s have some fun and see how successful we can be by attempting to accomplish all the missions in a single run!
In this course, we demonstrate and explain example solutions for the FIRST LEGO League 2023-2024 MASTERPIECE competition using the MiniBox box robot as a base, with custom-built attachments. Each solution is powered by a Python program that controls the robot to accomplish various missions efficiently. Every year, we share our solutions and insights only after the season is over.
The course is unique in its focus on multi-mission runs, showcasing runs that accomplish 3, 4, and even 5 and 6 missions. We then dive into the details of each specific mission. As you follow the course, try replicating the solutions to better understand the programs and explanations. This approach teaches students and teachers the principles of accomplishing missions in FLL robotics competitions and how to help your team score more points. Moreover, with the MiniBox, you will definitely have fun leaving the attachments on the mat. That will save you some precious time preparing for the next run!
Before starting this course, we recommend reviewing the FIRST LEGO League robot game guide.
Let’s have some fun and see how successful we can be by attempting to accomplish all the missions in a single run!