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Contraption

 This Olympics of Complexity is designed to pull students away from conventional problem-solving and push them into the endless chaos of imagination and intuitive thought.

How well do you know the machines that help in making our life comfortable and laws that govern them? Groups are given an elementary challenge: something as simple as peeling an apple, sharpening a pencil, or putting toothpaste on a toothbrush. But instead of just "solving" the problem, teams have to make the solution as complicated and as convoluted as possible. And what a machine! An assemblage of ordinary objects, mechanical gadgets, and the oddest odds and ends linked together to somehow attain the desired goal.

So go ahead, break the rules, defy all logic, and make life tougher!

Problem Statement

 

To make a call using a cell phone

 

Bonus Step: To disconnect the call once initiated (missed call)

 

Specifications

1. The call has to made from the cell phone in the contraption to another cell only (landlines not applicable)

2. The receiving cell phone may or may not be a part of the contraption. In the event that it is a part of the contraption, the call can be disconnected from any of the phones for the bonus step.

3. The participants can use their own cell phones (no bar on cell models).If the participants do not possess cell phones then 2 such cells will be provided by the organization team (model type can be any)

4. The step of making the call (pressing the call button) should be a part of the contraption and no human intervention is allowed (same applicable for disconnecting the call in the bonus step).

5. For the bonus step the receiving cell has to ring before the call is disconnected.

6. In the event of any network problems where the call doesn't go through, just pressing of the call button will be considered as completion of the task. The same consideration will be made in case of the bonus step provided there is a delay between pressing the call and disconnecting buttons. In case of network problems local sim cards will also be provided.

7. Participants are allowed to preset the no on which they intend to call on the screen. They are also allowed to call on any no of their choice provided the receiver is present at the venue.

 

Rules and Regulations

Following are the rules:

*Maximum number of participants should not exceed six.

*The entire contraption should be within a 3meter *3 meter box

*Once the first step has been initiated, intervention of any sort in the intermediate steps would lead to deduction in points.

*Maximum of three trials would be allowed for each team.

*Teams may use commercially available machines as individual parts of your contraption.

*The total time taken for task should not exceed 15 minutes.

*220 volts AC supply would be provided at the event venue.

*Any questionable items must be given prior consent by the event manager.

*If you have any special requirements inform us well in advance. It will be taken care of. Extension chords, scissors, tape etc. will be provided.

*Judges decision will be final and binding to all.

 

The results for the contraption event is as follows:

1.   Weopons of Mass Data (CEG)

2. Apple (NITT)

3.Mind Hunters ( CEG) 

CONSOLATION   PRIZES

1. Spark Plug (SASTRA)

2. Hexatech (PSG)

3. Kshtriyas (VIT)

4.Inevitable (VIT)

5. Vidya & co. (SHASTRA)

6. Sanguine (NITT)

7. Quicksilver (NITT)

 

Judging Criteria

 1)No of steps in the contraption
2)No of energy conversions
3)Types of energy conversions
4)Originality of the ideas and innovativeness
5)Robustness of the contraption
6)No of trials and forced human interventions used(will lead to deduction of points)
7)Complexity of the overall contraption.

 

Eligibility

 Participants with a valid identity card of their respective institute are eligible to participate in Contraption event of Pragyan '08.

 

Schedule

 Last date of registration: 25th February '08

No of days would be decided based on the no of participants.

 

Helpful Links

http://www.rubemachine.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rube_Goldberg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rube_Goldberg
http://www.intelligentdesign.org/behe/goldberg2.htm
http://www.uwm.edu/CEAS/rube/
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/flash/honda-ad.html
http://www.pittsburghrube.org/

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