16-311: Introduction to Robotics Lab 1: Rube Goldberg Machine

16-311: INTRODUCTION
TO ROBOTICS
LAB 1: RUBE GOLDBERG
MACHINE
TEACHING ASSISTANTS:
ANDREW WILLIG (andrew.willig@gmail)
MELISSA MANN (mlmann@andrew)

WHAT IS A RUBE
GOLDBERG MACHINE?
A Rube Goldberg machine is a device that
achieves a simple task through a process of
unnecessarily complex steps.

CHALLENGE
STATEMENT
Construct a Rube Goldberg Machine that transfers
a golf ball from one corner of your machine to the
next machine
• Machine is started by golf ball entering 12”x12”
square 24” above the ground
• For full points, ball must leave machine 20” higher
than it entered (must leave at 44+” above ground)
• The ball must also be “tossed” during an energy
transfer or while leaving the machine above 60”
• 3+ energy transfers must utilize the ball in some
way
• All energy transfers must be complete before the
ball exits machine

CONSTRAINTS
Max base dimensions: 30”x 48”
Max height: 60” (measured from floor to highest
point of device)
Ball must be able to be dropped 24” above entry
area
Cannot use electricity in the forms of batteries or
wall power. Other forms of power generation
welcomed.
Be sure to warn TA beforehand if you are planning
on using fire or chemical reactions.

GRADING
12 points per energy transfer
• Maximum of 60 Points
0.5 points per inch above start
• Maximum 10 points
• Ex: ball enters machine at 24” above ground and
leaves at 34” above ground, 10” * 0.5 = 5 points
10 points for each:
Ball gets transferred to next machine.
Ball breaks 60” horizontal plane above the ground.
3/6/10 – Ball used in energy transfer.

DEMOS
Each team gets two chances to demonstrate that
their machine works
Interventions
• A team may touch their machine once per run
should the machine stall
• In the event of an intervention, the energy transfer
that is circumvented will not be counted towards
their total

WEBSITE
Each group will create a website that contains the
following
• Group letter, Member Names, Team Name
• A photo of your machine labeling key components
• A list of your 5+ energy transfers
Send link to lab TA (emails on lab website)

DEADLINES
Wednesday, January 23
• By 3:30PM: email link to website
• Demo day! Bring the following:
• Your Rube Goldberg machine
• Grading sheet (available on lab website) with
names filled out

QUESTIONS??