Momoco08 (2008) by Shinichi Kome, Japan. Momoco08 the "vacuum mouse" won the 2008 Chubu Regional Micromouse Competition with an incredible time of 5.47 seconds. In the 2008 All-Japan Micromouse Competition it achieved sixth place with a time of time of 7.104 seconds, also taking the 'Exploration Award'. The first photo above shows Momoco08 with an encoder pattern on its upper disk β to measure fan speed? The second photo shows the vacuum skirt around the air intake in the centre.
"The winner was Shinichi Kome's vacuum mouse Momoco08. Momoco08 generates negative pressure with a fan which sucks it onto the track surface to achieve high-speed movement and direction change. ... It is technically difficult to install a complex suction mechanism in a small mouse. Moreover, it seems that few people attempt it because when it's "searching [the maze], it is just luggage" (Kome's words). However, the power of success is great. In this tournament, he achieved a great record of 5.47 seconds. Mr. Kome has been competing in Micromouse for 7 years, and it has been 6 years since he started developing vacuum types. This year was the first time it won the championship." β Robot Watch.
