2009 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus Vex Challenge: Vertigo!

[Chuck Glick]

I am pleased to announce the release of this year's 2009 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus Vex Challenge: Vertigo!

Game Manual can be found here: http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/papers/2265

Please post all questions and comments here.

When: October 24th 2009

Where: Webster Thomas High School

Register at: http://ruckus.penfieldrobotics.com/ - COMING SOON!

Entry Fee: $20 per bot, to cover field costs.

More info to come!

[Billfred]

One hole I see in the rules as written is V-3:

A robot is determined to be hanging from the bar when there is no contact made with the foam playing field.

Would that mean that a robot on the ramps (which is not the foam playing field) is also hanging?

Other than that, though, the game seems interesting. Is there a source on those pit balls?

[Alex Cormier]

Other than that, though, the game seems interesting. Is there a source on those pit balls?

Target. $20 for 100. (Cheaper then Orbit... huh?)

[Chuck Glick]

Rules will be updated and read as follows:


New Definition:
Platform: 24”W x 16”L x 6” H flat surface, connected to two (2) ramps.

New Rule:
<V-3> A robot is determined to be hanging from the bar when there is no contact made with the foam playing field or platform.

Ball Source:
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2267575 - These are an acceptable practice ball, however almost any 3" pit ball will work, most are the same.

[Josh Goodman]

The long awaited announcement! Looks great guys! Can't wait to see it in action. Might even build a bot myself....

[Chris is me]

Can college students do this? I'll be in the area this fall and now I really want to. My FVC 2006-2007 experience would serve me well here! :D I don't imagine that would be the rules but can't hurt to ask ._.

Anyhow, looks like a solid game taking the best parts of the 2007 FVC challenge and this year's VRC Elevation. How many balls can each goal hold?

[Chuck Glick]

This competition is open to ALL! So we would love to see ya there. As for the goals:

Square: 3

Triangle: 5-6

Semi-circle: 8-9

[Chris is me]

Another question:

Do balls in goals in your alliance zone count for 3 points?

Another thing I'm liking is the weight hanging has in the game. It seems like just enough weight that people will consider it, but not enough that people will be able to win with robots significantly crippled by having a hanging mechanism.

[Alex Cormier]

Another question:

Do balls in goals in your alliance zone count for 3 points?

Another thing I'm liking is the weight hanging has in the game. It seems like just enough weight that people will consider it, but not enough that people will be able to win with robots significantly crippled by having a hanging mechanism.

Balls in zone are worth 1, balls in goal worth 2, highest ball in goal extra 5 points. So the answer to your question is no.

[Chuck Glick]

Top View of the field to give a better understanding of the location of scoring zones and goals.

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z164/chuckglick/vertigotopviewdocument.jpg

[Chris is me]

How wide are the platforms? Can a robot be touching the platform and a ramp and still get the bonus? What is the approximate angle of the ramp to the floor?

I've got a TON of ideas, and am working through eliminating many of them. Rejected ideas include a Vex ball helix (faux archimedes screw), which although totally awesome would be needlessly complex, and some kind of delivery system with an "elevator" to raise and lower one ball at a time to the right height.

I initially thought it would be a huge challenge to make a bar hanger design work, but looking at it, there's multiple ways to approach it that all seem to work, possibly with even a single jointed rotating arm, linear slide kit, and the like. Once I figure out if a kind of drivetrain is ramp-capable, I think I'm ready to prototype.

Now I just need a job to get my own personal Vex parts.

[commodoredl]

Would a penalty be assessed for possessing the other team's balls?

[Alex Cormier]

Would a penalty be assessed for possessing the other team's balls?

I do not see any rule that does not allow that.

[Chris is me]

Hey! Stop stealing my creative ideas!

Keep in mind, though, if you take your own balls, you can score them. If you take your opponents balls, you only stop them from scoring rather than getting points yourself!

[Greg Needel]

Hey! Stop stealing my creative ideas!

Keep in mind, though, if you take your own balls, you can score them. If you take your opponents balls, you only stop them from scoring rather than getting points yourself!

which accomplishes the same thing, because of point differentials. Preventing 1 ball is the same as scoring one.

I would probably build a robot in this game that can hold a ton of balls (probably not have the ability to score) and just go hang. i don't think one of my team's balls would ever be in the robot during the comp.

[Josh Goodman]

which accomplishes the same thing, because of point differentials. Preventing 1 ball is the same as scoring one.

I would probably build a robot in this game that can hold a ton of balls (probably not have the ability to score) and just go hang. i don't think one of my team's balls would ever be in the robot during the comp.

This means your coming to Ruckus.....right greg? :rolleyes:

[Greg Needel]

This means your coming to Ruckus.....right greg? :rolleyes:

nope, probably not this year.

[Alex Cormier]

Registration is now open!

http://ruckus.penfieldrobotics.com/register/

[Chris is me]

Does anyone have $750 (for Vex parts) and a car (or similar transportation from Troy) I can borrow?

Also, that ball hoarding strategy is starting to scare me. Is that for sure allowed? All of my manipulator dreams are starting to get crushed :/

Also I know exactly what I'll be building now. A spiritual successor to the first robot I've ever built, except better.

(also why do we need to bring moon rocks?)

[Josh Goodman]

(also why do we need to bring moon rocks?)

It's not a requirement, especially for VEX. The reasoning behind the game pieces is that we would really like to hold off buying more game pieces if other teams have some we can use.

We will have enough game pieces either way, but if you or your FRC team has any moon rocks to share, we would be most grateful! :)

[Chris is me]

Ah. I forgot it was also an FRC offseason. My team's definitely not going, as my team's based in Wisconsin... and I don't have any moon rocks at home (I'd love to get one just to kick around, but they're kind of discontinued now)

For registration, what team number do I put if you're not technically going with your team (and don't have a VRC team number), but want to play? I could put 1714, but it's not officially any part of my team, other than me.

[Chuck Glick]

Ah. I forgot it was also an FRC offseason. My team's definitely not going, as my team's based in Wisconsin... and I don't have any moon rocks at home (I'd love to get one just to kick around, but they're kind of discontinued now)

For registration, what team number do I put if you're not technically going with your team (and don't have a VRC team number), but want to play? I could put 1714, but it's not officially any part of my team, other than me.

Just specify that you are registering for vex in the team number field, but feel free to use your team number. examples: VEX1714, or 1714VEX, or even just VEX.