About RoboSail
The basic concept is to create a boat, up to 1 meter long, which can sail autonomously. The boat takes in information about wind, location, and bearing, makes decisions about sail trim and course, then generates control signals for on-board servo motors controlling the rudder and sail. Although some events require the boats to be fully autonomous, other events permit the rudder and/or sails to be controlled remotely from off the vessel. This allows teams to gradually increase the complexity of their boat, perhaps starting with only an autonomous sail trim system.
Race events are based on traditional sailing races and tasks, such as sailing a marked course or maintaining a lookout station. Teams will need to learn and apply the science of sailing, the strategy of navigation, and the technology involved in controlling a robotic device.
Background
In 2013 students from 6 high school teams joined students from 9 university teams and took part in the International SailBot Regatta (sailbot.org) hosted by Olin College and held in Gloucester, MA. This friendly competition between university teams has been held in various locations around the world since 2006. These college teams built sophisticated boats up to 2m in length to showcase innovative boat design as well as sophisticated computer controls. In the 2013 regatta, the high school students held their own, implementing a variety of control strategies on boats ranging from modified stock to completely handmade. The weeklong regatta, however, was during summer break for colleges, but fell during finals for many high schools, and made it difficult for both teachers and students to participate in the regatta.
Moving Forward
To make this rich competition more accessible to high school students, leaders from several high school teams created RoboSail specifically for high school age teams. With a boat size limit of 1 meter and simpler/shorter race events, the boat cost and regatta time are reduced, and smaller venues can be used for the regattas. Permanent regional races are planned to boost visibility and collegiality while reducing travel time and housing costs for teams.
Race events are based on traditional sailing races and tasks, such as sailing a marked course or maintaining a lookout station. Teams will need to learn and apply the science of sailing, the strategy of navigation, and the technology involved in controlling a robotic device.
Background
In 2013 students from 6 high school teams joined students from 9 university teams and took part in the International SailBot Regatta (sailbot.org) hosted by Olin College and held in Gloucester, MA. This friendly competition between university teams has been held in various locations around the world since 2006. These college teams built sophisticated boats up to 2m in length to showcase innovative boat design as well as sophisticated computer controls. In the 2013 regatta, the high school students held their own, implementing a variety of control strategies on boats ranging from modified stock to completely handmade. The weeklong regatta, however, was during summer break for colleges, but fell during finals for many high schools, and made it difficult for both teachers and students to participate in the regatta.
Moving Forward
To make this rich competition more accessible to high school students, leaders from several high school teams created RoboSail specifically for high school age teams. With a boat size limit of 1 meter and simpler/shorter race events, the boat cost and regatta time are reduced, and smaller venues can be used for the regattas. Permanent regional races are planned to boost visibility and collegiality while reducing travel time and housing costs for teams.