W.O.P.R. – Description

 

The War Operations Planned Response computer from the 1980’s movie War Games is brought back to life in a tic-tac-toe playing robot.  The difference – this robot actually plays pieces along with drawing the game board – and this robot does not have the ability to play a game of Global Thermonuclear War…though based on the advancement of computer technology, this W.O.P.R. probably has more computing power than the 80s movie computer.

 

This W.O.P.R. also has 3 levels of strategy (beginner, intermediate and expert) so that even the little kids can enjoy the game by beating it once in a while.

Team B² Creations - W.O.P.R.

W.O.P.R. – History

 

The idea of a TicTacToe playing robot is far from new or original.  In fact, there are reported attempts as long as 100 years ago to make a mechanical computer using twine and weights to construct a device that would play TicTacToe.

 

So, why build another one?

 

In January 2006, the Lafayette Lego Robotics Group held a robotic competition where two robots would compete in each round.  If games were a draw, then the robot playing the fastest was awarded the win.  And, if a cube was misplayed (ie - bounced out of the board) then the robot would forfeit.  So, the competition was not just about playing the game.  It was about playing the game reliably and fast.

 

The competition was played with 4 x 4 x 4 stud cubes and the game board was a whole 32 x 32 base plate.  Robot sizes were roughly another 32 x 32 base plate.

 

W.O.P.R. was created to minimize the size of the robot while also taking advantage of the new motor encoders in the NXT motors and utilizing the NXT display.  It was done to be entertaining for people at shows.

W.O.P.R. – Future

 

Yes, we envision W.O.P.R. having a future...no, we aren’t adding the Global Thermonuclear War option…

 

Another NXT feature that W.O.P.R. could demonstrate is the Bluetooth link.  The W.O.P.R. could transmit each play back to a PC.  The PC could be programmed to display the game board.  This could then be projected for more viewers to witness the game.  Additionally, a video link could show the robot in action on the PC screen along side the game board transmitted via Bluetooth...Would you like to play a game Professor Falcon?

 

We are also considering offering a kit to build your own W.O.P.R. through Fun Time Technologies.  Building instructions are in process.  Watch here for updates.

W.O.P.R. ready and waiting for an opponent to step up.

W.O.P.R. ready for the game to start.

W.O.P.R. reading the board and making a move.

Eventually you make a mistake and W.O.P.R. wins.

Double click on image to watch W.O.P.R. make a play.