April was all about Gregynog. The journey there was a sight to behold—majestic mountains and crystal-clear rivers that sparkled like a seasoned public speaker’s delivery. The coach ride was unforgettable, though in a way as intense as the worst wars in history.
Once we arrived, we participated in team-building activities. We hiked through Gregynog’s lush greenery, played football, and shared meals together, sitting as a united group during feasts. It was a great way to bond before the real work began.
The next day, we got back to business. I started tweaking the code again, trying to improve both the line-following and combat features. As mentioned in the March blog, the mode-switching function had already been removed due to delays caused by the Raspberry Pi Pico’s limitations.
From that point on, we continuously tweaked and tested each feature, measuring how well they performed against those of other teams. Since the mode-switching was no longer automated, we had to switch between modes manually using a laptop.
Our first official test was the technical inspection, where we presented our special feature: the speaker. We also demonstrated our IR sensors and bumpers—though, unfortunately, only one bumper had been correctly programmed to function.
Next came line following, which was not our strongest showing. Our micromouse failed to complete a single lap. However, we were able to demonstrate that it could turn corners and follow sections of the line.
Obstacle avoidance followed. Our micromouse had to navigate uneven wooden floorboards with chairs placed as obstacles. In this task, we performed quite well, as the IR sensors and touch bars worked effectively.
Lastly, we faced the combat challenge, which required the micromouse to stay within bounds and push back opponents. The organizers used cardboard and plastic cups as stand-ins for opponents, but our touch bars didn’t register them effectively, as they required more resistance to trigger.
As for the actual competition, it was a tough experience. We played four matches—and unfortunately, we lost all four.
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