Re: 179 Swamp Teasers
 

How does that ramp fit inside the 14" extension rule?



Of course they didn't overlook such an obvious rule.... but that means a very steep ramp, which some robots won't be able to climb (But most will, considering they will be designed for crossing the bump).

Very ingenious design. I bet others will be doing something similar :rolleyes:

Re: 179 Swamp Teasers
 

Will you be able to legally use the ramp to aid in the coopertition bonus?

[G27] Deliberate or damaging contact with an opponent Robot on or inside its Frame Perimeter is not allowed.

Even though the robot is designed to be climbed, I don't think there's a way around the "deliberate" wording there. Unless there's a rule change, it seems to me that you would only be able to ramp up allied robots.

Still very useful for your alliance bridge, but maybe not as helpful as I'd originally hoped for getting the coopertition bonus in qualifications.

Re: 179 Swamp Teasers
 

It's still really cool though.

Re: 179 Swamp Teasers
 

This design shattered my brain not only because I didn't think of it, but because when I saw the idea for the first time I thought "naah, getting the bridge balanced with one robot hanging off the side would take such a massive effort..."

Congratulations on pulling that off.

That said - I feel compelled to be preachy (as I do with pretty much every post I make on Chief Delphi...) to those reading from a "low resource team". Do not feel like this is a design one should copy at week 4 of the build season, especially if your robot's "ultimate goal" is to win the World Championship. Among many other reasons, the point values of the ramp balance could be adjusted for the Championship.

As someone who's basically spent his time "mentoring" 2791 observing things and spitting out ideas - taking "continuous improvement" past its logical conclusion with regards to design of a robot is easy to do.

Re: 179 Swamp Teasers
 

If you're the robot presented with the opportunity to climb 179, and the choice is between winning with no bonus (2 QP for you/0 QP for opponent), and losing (because of the +9 penalty) with a bonus for two co-operatively balanced robots (2 QP for you/4 QP for opponent), shouldn't you still consider doing the latter, if it skews the rankings in your favour (e.g. by stacking the draft order such that certain alliances are broken up)? Isn't it only really a bad idea if your rank relative to your opponent is an issue, or you determine that you can't risk a card (now or the next time you try it)?

(I'm glossing over several other cases that might be worth considering.)

Re: 179 Swamp Teasers
 

This hanging method is one of the concepts we seriously considered. In the end we decided not to do it because we didn't think we could make a robot light enough. We reasoned that if we had a 150 lb robot with a CG 1" or so from the edge of the bridge and our partner was 150 lb with a CG 12" from the edge we may not be able to balance. It would require a very light robot because the 2 on top don't have much room to move outward. I'm glad to see someone worked out all the details to make this work. Good job!

Re: 179 Swamp Teasers
 

Just so we don't get more questions and comments about "this being a bridge balancing only robot" I think your team should just go ahead an reveal your entire robot....

Please? Pretty please?

Re: 179 Swamp Teasers
 

I don't know if its just me, but the pictures aren't showing up any more.

Re: 179 Swamp Teasers
 

Assuming those are 8" wheels, just taking some measurements off the pic seems to show >14" from the frame, especially when the ramp is in a horizontal position.

Re: 179 Swamp Teasers
 

Those are this year's kit wheels which are 6".

Re: 179 Swamp Teasers
 

Ok, then the pic is too close to call, so I'll assume you are good to go.... Great job.

Re: 179 Swamp Teasers
 

I wonder if the plastic piece under the bridge affects how the robot works? I don't recall seeing anything in the rules that "protects" it, so it shouldn't be a rule issue (yet)

Re: 179 Swamp Teasers
 

Interesting, I had forgotten all about the potential change in bridge points for champs.

Re: 179 Swamp Teasers
 

Great work 179, your team always finds a unique way to play the game every year. No matter what happens at the regional or championship level, your team should take pride in setting a very difficult goal, and achieving it with flying colors. This is engineering.

Re: 179 Swamp Teasers
 

I sir and madams tip my hat to you if I had one on at the moment. Simple and elegant design. If it works as well in competition as it does there, then I look forward to seeing you guys go far.