Play-From-Home
Mars Robotic Construction Challenge
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News The competition facility, MarsScape, (nicknamed "The Mars Barn" within NASA) is now a stand-alone component of our plan. Read all about it. We've split off the Rulebook to its own separate page, and started an FAQ page. The public comment period is now over, and we're working on finalizing the rulebook. We are obviously still taking input (), so feel free to propose new ideas.
Suppose we want to build a fuel/oxygen generation plant on Mars, comprised of an ore processor, a reactor, and storage tanks. Or suppose we want to build a human habitat, comprised of several interconnected habitation and support modules...
With today's technology, we already know how to build the basic machinery, and we also already know how to send payloads to the Martian surface...
The problem is that we can only send up to a ton or two at a time. (The Spirit and Opportunity packages only weighed about half a ton each), and so have to assemble the structures on the Martian surface - with the human operators still on Earth!
This is difficult, since communication between Earth and Mars takes 20 minutes (at best) and so immediate "remote control" is not feasible - check out the Mars Rover Autonomous Mobility web page for an explanation - and keep in mind that cooperative tasks are infinitely more complex than simply "driving around"...
Of the technology development that is required on the way to Mars, the topic of cooperative remote robotic operations is probably the one that is the least well understood. The goal of the competition is to learn where the line should lie between autonomous operations and human control.
In order to win the prize, a team has to complete a robotic assembly task, but it must do so while controlling its robots from across the country with a control latency of 20 minutes!
The team never gets to see the arena, except through the eyes of its robots. Even advanced knowledge of the arena is accomplished through a "scout" robot that the team must build.
The task is to construct a water-tight pipeline between a simulated "resource generator" and a "storage tank". The task is complete when water can flow freely into the latter. The team has 24 hours to complete the task.
The team "launches" its robots to Mars by packaging them in a "lander" and shipping them to the arena. The lander is simply a structure that can survive shipping and allow the robots to egress.
When we receive a lander, we simply place it in the arena, charge it up, and activate the communication link. From that point and until assembly is complete, there is no more human intervention except through the communication link.
To stay in touch, please subscribe to the marsChallenge mailing list by clicking this link. We will send out information about rule updates, progress, registration, and logistucs. We will also use this list to solicit input on specific questions while formulating the rules.
The most current snapshot of the rulebook is available here.
Before commenting, please read the FAQ, which we keep updating as we recieve more input from the public.
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TIMELINE
HOW TO PLAY
PLAY FROM HOME?
Yes - play from home!Since the only interaction you have with the "Martian" environment is through your robots, there is no need for you to have to leave your couch! (er, we mean your lab...) To play, you will package your robots in a "lander", and ship them to us. We place your lander on the "Martian" surface, and hook you up through a 20-minute delayed internet connection. From then, it's up to you! When you win, we will even mail the check directly to your home.
WHAT IS MARS LIKE?
As we said, the only interaction you have with the "Martian" environment is through your robots.Before you attempt the actual assembly, we allow you to send in a scout robot to gather information about the environment. Just like the assembly task, your scout robot will have to land, deploy, and communicate with your base of operations (the aforementioned couch). Any information you learn through your robotic scouting can give you an edge when it's time to attempt assembly.
WHERE DO I SIGN UP?
Registration will open once the final rulebook is published, at the end of July.You will be able to reserve the arena for a 24 hour period, for either scouting or assembly, 30-180 days in advance. Once registered, your entry will show a public calendar. You will be able to request an earlier date, but not a later one. We therefore recommend that you attempt to claim the prize as early as possible, but no earlier!
MUST THEY WORK AUTONOMOUSLY?
No, but it is highly recommended. You only have 24 hours to complete the task.
HOW LARGE WILL THEY BE?
We're still working this out, but the total weight limit will be around 50 kg.
WHAT ABOUT POWER LIMITS?
Once on the "surface", your lander will be continuously plugged to a 110V/20A power outlet, simulating a power generation / collection facility.
WHAT ARE THE ASSEMBLY COMPONENTS?
The pipeline will have to be constructed from standard plumbing pipes. We'll publish the details soon, but the pipes will be available from your neighborhood hardware store.
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