Are you passionate about robotics and 3D printing? Then it’s your time to shine and have some fun with the new contest in collaboration with SparkFun: Experiential Robotics Challenge!
This contest is calling on all makers, designers, and geeks to create 3D printable modifications, expansions, or accessories for the XRP Robotics kit.
About SparkFun and XRP
SparkFun has been helping makers and innovators bring their ideas to life since 2003. They offer a fantastic range of open-source components, tools, and online tutorials that make it super easy to get into building and programming electronic projects. SparkFun is all about supporting creativity and innovation in the maker community by providing essential resources for education in electronics and robotics.
The XRP project is an open robotics platform designed for beginners and enthusiasts, offering an accessible entry into robotics and engineering. With a focus on education, the XRP kit includes everything you need: a controller board, motors, sensors, and a chassis—all designed for easy assembly and programming.
Contest details
Please Note: No purchase is necessary to participate. Whether you choose to purchase the XRP kit or design from scratch using the provided 3D model of the robot’s base, available on Printables here*, or on cad.onshape.com, we can’t wait to see what you come up with! You can submit any modifications, expansions, or accessories for the XRP kit that come to your mind. The jury will evaluate entries based on quality and originality.
And if you decide to purchase the XRP kit, SparkFun offers a $35 discount for anyone who signs up for the challenge! Just fill out this form and let the magic happen.
*The linked model of the robot base is an updated version from our community member – thank you, Janis Rod, for your help!
Categories for Your Design
To help you get started, we’ve outlined several categories for your designs:
1. Mounted Sensor Fusion – integrate and mount new sensors to enhance the robot’s capabilities. Of course, we suggest adding any of Qwiic-enabled SparkFun Sensors.
2. Expand the XRP – design expansions that add new functionalities to the XRP kit. This could include additional arms, or new modules that provide more versatility and application potential.
3. Improve the Chassis – Optimize the robot’s base for better performance. Design modifications that increase stability, mobility, or durability. This could involve creating new wheel systems, adding shock absorbers, or reinforcing the chassis to handle more demanding tasks. Feel free to use this 3D model!
Already got a wild idea for a robot or need some inspiration?
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Prizes
First place
The first-place winner will unwrap a brand new Original Prusa MK4 Kit!
Second place
Second place will be rewarded with:
300$ Sparkfun voucher + 1050 Prusameters
1050 Prusameters is just right for grabbing 3 spools of Prusament or choosing from other selected products including Prusa Merch!
Representative images of what you can exchange your Prusameters prize for.
Starring: Mikoláš Zuza & Pepa’s head
Third place
For third place, you’ll get a 250$ Sparkfun voucher + 700 Prusameters ,
perfect for picking out 2 spools of Prusament or exploring other products.
Representative images of what you can exchange your Prusameters prize for.
Starring: Mikoláš Zuza & Pepa’s head
Judges’ Choice
In addition to the three main winners, the five most original and outstanding entries will each receive a Judges’ Choice Award and 200$ Sparkfun voucher + 350 Prusameters.
Judging Criteria
- The overall quality of the model.
- Printability – Whether the model has an optimal orientation, whether it is divided into multiple parts so it can be printed more easily (without supports) etc.
- Originality – If you create something truly unique, it will be rated better than a slightly altered existing model.
- Popularity – Share your model to increase its popularity, and prove that users appreciate such a model.
- Your other works – In case we can’t decide between two favorite designs, we often check your other models to see what you can do.
- Assembly instructions – If your model consists of multiple parts, we check how easy it is to assemble the final product.
- Photo quality – Well-lit, in-focus, and clear photos help show off your work and help us pick the best designs.
How to participate?
It’s easy to participate in this competition. Just follow these simple instructions.
- Design and create a model or improve an already existing one (“remix”) so that the result fits the theme of this contest. The model has to be printable on an FFF/FDM or SLA 3D printer (any manufacturer and model). This also means that you don’t need to own a 3D printer to participate. When creating the model, keep in mind the pros and cons of various types of 3D printing technologies and what can and can’t be actually done.
- Upload the model to Printables.com and make sure it contains:
- Model in .3MF or .STL file format (print files are optional)
- Photo or render of the model (ideally both)
- Model description
- Add the model to the contest. You will find the new competition button just below the download button on the print’s page after you publish your print. Click the Compete medal and select the “Experiential Robotics Challenge” contest. After that, your print will be shown on the contest page and you will be in the running.
Of course, you can share your model on social networks (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest,…), and don’t forget to add @printablescom. This can help increase the popularity of the model.
Terms and conditions
- The contest runs from June 17, 2024, to August 17, 2024.
- You can submit up to 5 unique models to the competition and increase your chances of winning.
- The model must contain at least one printed part.
- By entering the contest, you agree to keep your model posted to Printables.com for a minimum of one year. The Prusa team reserves the right to repost your design if it is removed before the end of that year.
- You must be the original creator of the model you upload, please do not repost other people’s models from other sites.
- We reserve the right to terminate the competition or change the conditions of the competition at any time. In case of violation of the terms and conditions or attempted fraud, the competitor will be disqualified.
- Submitting entries that do not fit the contest criteria will result in disqualification and repeated offenses may disqualify you from future contests.
- Results are at the judge’s discretion and all results are final.
So essentially, you can't participate unless you pay $120 to buy the XRP kit, which you are probably not gonna use after the contest?
I'd really love to have full models of the parts linked as a part of the contest! That would make it easier to design against/interface with them!
It says you don't need the kit, as you can use the files provided. This may make testing difficult.
I have been to the product pages and I have not found any measurements of the plate or the distances of the holes, or any other device. So user EricB is right when he says that if he doesn't buy he can't participate. I consider that this contest is discriminatory and designed to be useful to Sparkfun
Is adding more sensors actually sensor fusion? I believe you need to integrate the sensor data in a way that enables you do more than you could if the sensors were separate, in order to count.
I am afraid this contest aims at US only. That kit is not available in EU, or at sky-high prices. Order from US gets prohibitive extra cost and/or of course delay-delay so not delivered until the contest is over.
Designing from the model file of the base is tricky because you do not know what stuff comes in and you have no idea of platform weight and capacity.
Would appreciate a dummy model of the fully rigged robot, and instructions how to ballast to full equivalence.
DigiKey does have the kit available, and it should be able to ship worldwide.
Digikey is shipping them from the US as well and unfortunately it takes months to get anything to the EU. Without the kit, I can only make a concept design I'm afraid.
I am in the same situation, but I decided to participate anyway. There are alternatives to the components sparkfun sells. Most important are the motors, for which compatible models exist such as:
https://botland.store/geared-dc-angle-motors/12459-dc-motor-with-190-3-9v-transmission-with-single-shaft-bi-metal-5904422319328.html
https://botland.store/dc-motors-with-gearbox-and-encoders/6287-dc-geared-motor-with-encoder-sj01-6v-160rpm-1201-6959420910205.html
The microcontroller can be an arduino hotglued on top (or a fixture printed, why not), the ultrasound sensors seem pretty standard. The base frame can be printed. With a bit of effort, one can get into the competition for less than the kit price.
Thanks, good idea. I think I will do that.
Yet another half-assed real life example of how Printables is not competent enough to host design competitions.
Printables: – "Here's a great opportunity to spend many hours doing R&D for some company we work with, and at the same time help us generate revenue by creating original content"
Designers: – "Ok, can I at least get some basics, like proper requirements, clear communication between participants and the judges, part dimensions or assembly files?
Printables: – "Here's another "voronoi" contest!!!"
I can't agree with you. That's just how competitions work. I take part in photo competitions every now and then. Someone hosts a competition, you take part, and the reward is usually just fame and honour.
With the small difference that you have to pay to take part in a photo competition. But in this case, the winner gets an MK4. That's great, isn't it?
I can't agree with you either.
I agree with others, the only files available are 3MF files. How am I supposed to take proper measurements of everything with that? And how can I be sure that my design won't interfere with other components that aren't present in the 3MF files?
I saw in the comments that there's an unofficial model available on Onshape, but I really don't think I should have to rely on third-party models to be able to enter the contest.
Sure, I could print the frame and try to take some semi-accurate measurements from that, but that means using quite a bit of my own filament for something I won't be able to do anything with when the contest is done. And I still won't be able to account for other electrical components.
SparkFun is sold out with no estimate of when the XRP kit will be back in stock. I'm guessing DigiKey isn't going to honor the SparkFun coupon.
A bit of pre-contest coördination would have been in order methinks.
Contests that require a investment is not in the spirit of hobby imo. This feels like a advertisement more than a contest.
The control board seems poorly designed. 11v max input from barrel jack … most extra power supplys from practically anything is going to be 12v…… or am i just confused?
Do I have to use the whole XRP Kit or just use XRP control board and self-source power supply , motor , sensor , etc . because I have some already
I am not sure, but they say one can print the frame so I assume the submission needs to be XRP compatible. I personally printed the frame (holey version) and bought compatible motors. The rest will be arduino based stuff. Not much choice as I had issues pruchasing the kit. We will see if it flies with the jury.
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