1726 - practically done!

[TheOtherGuy]

So, now that the season has almost come to an end (our robot is crated, at least), I guess it's time to reveal our robot. I give you: T.O.M.!

Knock off and Catch: youtube (http://youtube.com/watch?v=KTWMrTLEYMI), our site (http://www.project1726.org/2008web/media/videos/07-08/knockandcatch.mov)
Firing Test: youtube (http://youtube.com/watch?v=JCzQ9kYlWWA), our site (http://www.project1726.org/2008web/media/videos/07-08/ballonrack.mov)
Hurdle Test 1: youtube (http://youtube.com/watch?v=pzgEYtqjurk), our site (http://www.project1726.org/2008web/media/videos/07-08/hurdletest.mov)
Hurdle Test 2: youtube (http://youtube.com/watch?v=-kc1k2zg1XM), our site (http://www.project1726.org/2008web/media/videos/07-08/hurdletest2.mov)
Hybrid Test: youtube (http://youtube.com/watch?v=UwfT5V6fYRQ), our site (http://www.project1726.org/2008web/media/videos/07-08/hybridtesting.mov)

Pictures to appear on our site later

But for now, you can stare at this picture:
http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/1671/tom1kc8.jpg

(BTW, see if you can spot our secret weapon ;) )

(http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=512&i=tom1kc8.jpg)

[hipsterjr]

oooh, I know:ahh: It's the flux capacitor!:p wait..I spy a vex cable! Great looking bot. I can't wait to see you guys compete.

[Antonio Medina]

The pool noodles, you set them up right to knock the ball down without having to stop and knock it down, it's a good idea really.

[BHS_STopping]

Secret weapon? Ha, I'll give you guys a hint:

http://kol.coldfront.net/thekolwiki/images/d/d9/Bulletbill.gif

(Old image didn't allow direct linking, apparently...)

[DarkFlame145]

You do know that to get the points for knocking the ball off it can't touch you on the way down.

[MrForbes]

Yes, we know...but we also know that we can knock the ball down and catch it and get the hybrid period points, and then drive around and hurdle it (and not let it touch the robot after the hurdle)

[BHS_STopping]

You do know that to get the points for knocking the ball off it can't touch you on the way down.

Actually, I think that only applies for hurdling a trackball. G09 (which says that we get points for removing the trackball from the overpass in the hybrid period) says that we earn points only if the ball is no longer contacting the overpass. I think that our knocking-off-and-catching method would be pretty legal, at least just for hybrid mode.

[nuggetsyl]

Nice control of your bot in hybrid.

[Donut]

Another nice robot from 1726, sad it couldn't make it up to the Duel, guess I'll just have to wait 3 weeks to see it in person. How fast is the drivetrain this year?

I have to say the pool noodles are really clever. Is that a limit switch on one of the middle ones to detect when they contact the overpass?

[TheOtherGuy]

Another nice robot from 1726, sad it couldn't make it up to the Duel, guess I'll just have to wait 3 weeks to see it in person. How fast is the drivetrain this year?

I have to say the pool noodles are really clever. Is that a limit switch on one of the middle ones to detect when they contact the overpass?

Thanks! We can't wait to see 498 there as well ;)

The drivetrain is in the norm with pretty good speed and great handling. We still need to order that nitrile tread stuff, since our left center wheel treads take a massive beating from pivoting time and time again.

As for the pool noodles, we just had some lying around, and when the time came to figure out a way to knock them off, the noodles seemed to work better than anything else! And yes, there's a switch [zip tied] on a noodle so we know when to stop in "hytonobrid."

Can't wait for the AZ Regional! Should be exciting this year

[BHS_STopping]

On a full battery, the robot was able run 6 1/2 laps in one minute. So, if the field is empty, we could realistically get close to 12 or 13 laps in a single match. However, after seeing some of the scrimmages this year, we most likely will have that number cut down by about half.

The bot drives incredibly well, though, and our control system is very simple and intuitive. Instead of using dual joysticks, we decided to modify a pistol-grip RC Car controller. So, even though it doesn't use an Ackerman steering system, it acts like it does!

I look forward to seeing all of the other AZ teams this year. It ought to be a lot of fun working with everybody else there!:D