After the coffee related problem we mentioned earlier today on our Vive les Robots blog, a lot of new code has been tested. Important problem the team faces is related to the electronic compass, or actually it's related to the field. A magnetic field right below the soccer field is strong enough to disturb the compasses on our robots!

Those compasses are essential for self-localization of the TURTLEs. Since 2007 both goals are of the same color. Before this rule change, the robots could distinguish their own goal from the opponents goal by its color. Most teams started using input from electronic compasses to distinguish the goals. So in theory, the magnetic disturbance could cause our robots to score in their own goal!

The source of the unusual stong magnetic field is still unknown. Koen Meessen (PhD student at electrical engineering) thinks of a construction of steel underneath the field. Most mechanical engineers come up with wilder speculations. 'Maybe it has to do with disturbances of the earth magnetic field, caused by fractures in the earth surface', someone said.

Anyway, this problem needs to be solved and simply moving the soccer field a little is not an option. Tomorrow (Wednesday) at 10.00 Dutch time the technical challenge will begin. We shall see whether the team has come up with a solution. Livestream is almost online so make sure to be ready!

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