Connect 4000

Project Description:
This group designed and created a robotic device that plays Connect Four® with a human user according to the official game rules stated by Milton Bradley® and Hasbro®. This device met or exceeded all specifications of your company and includes the following features.


While the human user is allowed to make his own move during the course of the game, this device contains an automated feature of a loading hopper that will routinely dispense a checker into a mechanical arm connected to a track. The mechanical arm moves the checker to the appropriate column and restrains from dropping the checker through the use of a mechanical claw. When the arm arrives at the selected column, the mechanical claw releases the checker into the game board. The column that the robot places its checker depends on the choices of the artificial intelligence which can be set to three different levels – easy, medium, or hard.


The device also contains an automated retaining mechanism that will release the game pieces in the event of a fully occupied game board, a win, the user’s resignation, or the human user’s cheating. The retaining lever is similar to the official retaining lever designed by Milton Bradley® and Hasbro® in that it will slide one direction in order to release the game pieces.


Using sensor technology, the loading hopper does not attempt to dispense game pieces if there are none in the hopper but prompts the user through LCD technology. Using input from sensors that are placed in every place in the board, the retaining lever will release the checkers when the microprocessor detects any of the conditions outlined in the specifications. The user shall communicate to the device through the use of three buttons. The function of the buttons will vary according to the message given to the user on the LCD screen.

A side view of the game machine.




Dan Grasham working on the case.




Dr. Burks playing the game.