The goal of this project was to build a boat (SHIP) and controller (ANSIBLE) pair that can communicate with each other as well as any other SHIP or ANSIBLE. The game consisted of pushing (or taking control) the opposite team's boats in order to push them into gates in the fountain. A water funnel was mounted to every boat in order to monitor the amount of "fuel" that each ship has. If a SHIP runs out of water, then they lose the ability to pair with themselves until refueled. The communication protocol was created and agreed upon by a committee formed of one member from every team (affectionately referred to as CommComm).
Our SHIP and ANSIBLE are both Peter Pan themed. To select a SHIP, you move the hour hand on a clock face and then push the top button to attempt to pair with that SHIP. Then you can use the hook (joystick) to move left, right, forward, and back. There are several LEDs that provide information about pairing as well as current fuel level. Additionally, there are switches to allow for easy selection of team color. We also have a refuel button as well as a fairy dust (glitter) bottle that can be used to adjust the volume of the speakers. The alligator's mouth also houses a beam break sensor that, when broken, shoots water off of the SHIP. Last, but certainly not least, a microphone and accelerometer are mounted to the ANSIBLE harness. When the user jumps up and down and yells, "I do believe in fairies!," the Special Feature will be activated.