Robot Mice Do a Mazing Thing in Competition
David Otten, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology researcher, successfully defended his title Thursday as champion of the U.S. MicroMouse Competition in Anaheim. The competition involves racing a small vehicular robot or “mouse” through a large maze.
The mice contain computer memory, sensors and other electronic components that enable them to “learn” their way through the maze without human assistance.
Otten’s device, nicknamed Mitee Mouse III, dashed through the 81-square-foot maze in 31 seconds, the fastest time recorded by the six university-affiliated teams competing in the event.
Otten’s victory qualified him to compete in an international MicroMouse contest in 1989. The competition was held at Wescon, an electronics industry trade show at the Anaheim Convention Center.
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