Dear Duncan

As requested, some thoughts and views on the whole Micromouse Concept, and

in particular on "Exeter 10/7/99"

To start at the beginning, i. e 1997

my knowledge of electronics was practically zero, but I did have some

knowledge and experience of computer control. I therefore stuck to what I

knew for the first competition , and used an umbilical from a P.C. with

Software and an interface made by Deltronics. This device used ordinary

L.D.R.'s to sense light from a miniature halogen bulb taken from my

cycle-lamp, and the Chassis was driven by a pair of Motors through T.E.P.

gear-boxes. The resulting mouse was incredibly slow, and extremely

sensitive to extraneous light, but it did work, and I was still baffled by

the self-contained electronically-controlled alternative.

By the time we started on this year's competition, I had been inspired by

the superior performance of said alternative systems to attend a few

courses, and pick a few brains. I had already managed to persuade someone

to draw a circuit-layout for me to use the "Dash" components, and a local

firm to manufacture the P.C.B's, but was still "chicken "to venture any

further. It was time to bite the bullet ! My first attempt failed due to a

miss-print ! Eventually we had a mouse to compete in Swansea on 16th Mar.

our Mouse was reliable, if a little slow (App > 9 secs) We now realised

that we were being hampered not by the circuitry but by the problem of

"over-run" when the motors were switched off (we were still using the

original chassis and drive. We dabbled briefly with the idea of shorting

the motors to form an electronic brake, but it was beyond me.

For Exeter, we decided to use the "Dash" motors with their worm-drive

system and its inherent braking ability, and a brand new chassis. The

resultant "beastie" lapped at around >11secs.

Exeter

We were delighted to be able to compete, despite not being in the top three

at Swansea. And were quite hopeful as Micromice are such fickle creatures.

On arrival, (full marks on the choice of venue, and to the Staff of Exeter

Uni.) I was keen to try the new mouse which my pupils had built. One

hair-tearing hour later it was working !!

I thought it was great that all competitors were able to spend the morning

"tweaking" and practising as they put in their Official Times.

The after-noon session was a revelation to me and to my pupils alike. I am

a reluctant teacher of electronics; enthusiastic, but lacking in knowledge

and therefore confidence. It was therefore quite a revelation for us to see

the performance of the devices in the other classes (we were competing in

the "Schools Standard Competition") and the highlight of the day had to be

the last item, viz : The Intelligent Mice tackling the 3-D maze. We are

still not sure whether they work by voodoo, or just ordinary magic, but for

sure, we intend to find out just how they do work, and when we do, we'll be

back !!! In the meantime we'll concentrate on the Standard Competition.

Finally

My heartiest congratulations to every-one behind the whole "world " of

Micro-mouse. I believe it to be a brilliant concept; it is certainly

responsible for the very existence of an electronics course in this

department, and in its present form, it provides something to aim for all

ages.

PLEASE DON'T CHANGE IT !!

Thanks again,

Eifion Francis

(Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr)