Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

The way you guys do integration is exhibit A of modern technological advancement. I would love to be a part of that team and/or just watch it work. Your lead is my hero and I'm sure they can't wait to put one of these together each year. I've been under the assumption government systems would prohibit this kind of efficiency and effectiveness. But if this is NASA's team uninhibited I'm a big believer in you guys. Rock on, and go NASA peeps!

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

Oh, also, I didn't notice if it picked up an upside down frisbee, and shot it upside down. Can it do that (or flip the frisbees it picks up) too?

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

And their climbing doesn't seem to be blazing fast, either. That being said, the best thing about this robot is that it does everything very well. For those worried about facing 118, the matches are only 2:15 seconds long so you may not have to face everything 118 can do. An alliance with a better dedicated shooter and a better dedicated climber, has a legit chance. Although, 118's amazing wide range of capibilities give it a scary amount of strategic flexibility in a 3 match elimination round.

Awesome robot and an even better video. Thank you for continuing to inspire us all.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

I had to watch the video again and I love the wheel on how you climb up.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

Epic Video. Perhaps the best all around robot I have ever seen in my years in FIRST. Funny I actually thought about using this song in our reveal video a few months ago.

That is so cool how the hopper moves up from the intake to the shooter as seen at 0:23 in the video.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

Mind = Blown

Hopefully, we'll get the opportunity to see that fine machine close up at championships this year. If so, it will be an honor to go toe-to-toe with this unicorn...or, better yet, fight along side it. Now, that would truly be an honor. Best of luck, guys...although, it doesn't seem like you're gonna need it. ;)

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

THE ROBOT GODS HAVE SPOKEN AND DELIVERED US PERFECTION. (Side note: WE ARE NOT WORTHY, WE ARE NOT WORTHY! *insert bowing action and hero worship*)

But seriously, I am starting to regret not refereeing at Lone Star now. Great robot. :D

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

Please approve this video for mobile devices so I can see it from my phone. I won't be able to get to a computer for a while. I'm begging here

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

Another great robot from 118. Curious why they didn't include actual evidence of a 30 pt climb. Do their outriggers actually allow enough upward penetration at the top to let them raise high enough to clear totally into the top zone? Scene at 2:05 + still shows a 20 pt climb.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

For mobile devices...

http://db.tt/GplOG6jT

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

:ahh: Fantastic robot, as always.

I think I'll go do my taxes now.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

The climbing mechanism on this robot is ingenious.

I cannot believe all of that actuation fits in that robot...

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

Honestly the best designed robot I've seen in FIRST. And the mechanism shown here https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...9bZ4fk#t=33 s

What is it..?

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

I'm pretty sure a 2:41 it's a 30 pt climb. You can see the robot bump out as the notched wheel clears the 2nd bar. I'm curious to know what the full climb time is. I'm not sure, but it looks like some refinement could make it go even faster!

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

This matches 1717 2012 and 254 2011 for amazing awesomeness. How are you aiming? Computer vision? Preset positions? Something else?

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

How did you get the addressable LED light strips running?

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

This...

Im quitting FIRST now. This is awesome. 118, you are by far one of my favorite teams.
There's only a few things I see it doesn't do, neither of which are very big:
1. Dump frisbees (Who cares though when you can probably get a easy shot into the pyramid, though you never showed this in the video)
2. Pick up and shoot upside down disks (Though I don't see this is going to happen much.)
3. Have a fan or other mechanism to block shots

This looks like a bot that would be a dream to drive when it works, and a nightmare to compete against or try and repair. (Or wire)

I would say good luck, but I don't think it would do you any help whatsoever.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

It wouldn't be a 118 robot if it doesn't break down in the semi-finals at Lone Star. :p

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

The thing that impresses me most about 118's robots is how feature-dense they are. While we come up with ideas and look for a subset of them we are confident we can make work, it seems like they manage to pack in everything each year. I'd love to get a closer look at how a machine like this gets designed.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

We use the same ones and they go through a 12->5V power converter and then work off the relay ports on the digital sidecar. The code is super way over my head though.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

Quoted for truth. One of the few weaknesses of 118's robots lately seems to be robustness. Last year they were breaking wheels every other match. Hopefully they've worked out some of those issues this year.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

And the winner of the 2013 FRC Nationals is....

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

This robot is amazing, and even I admit to calling them champions after seeing the video the first time, but you can't just hand them a trophy yet. They're good, but that does't mean they're Einstein good.

Plus, there's ways you can stop them. It's not all that hard. You just need some smart playing.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

Definitely one of the best reveal videos I've seen a long time. The aerial shots and bonus footage at the end (as always) were a treat.


Another prime example of a highly competitive robot from 118. Can't wait to see it in person at Lonestar.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

Well, they are Einstein good, they just haven't won Einstein yet. They were on Einstein last year for example. And if it weren't for comm. problems, who knows what could have happened.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

IIRC, it wasn't comms, just some gyro issues.

Definitely a robot that's capable of going. it's not going to be easy to beat them, but anything is possible if there's a field as deep as SVR.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

Great looking robot. SVR should be fun.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

I guess I'd like to see a bill of materials. If you had to build this robot in the real world it would cost a lot more than $4K. IMHO it's about time FRC started leveling the playing field for teams that don't have a NASA facility to build the robot for them.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

The ChiefDelphi community deserves a prize today. It took 128 posts for this type nonsense to appear. I would have guessed somewhere in the 60's.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

Yes I would like to see the BOM also, there is no way that they have under 4k spent on this robot.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

Simply Beautiful.

So many features packed into such a small space, and amazing reveal footage.

Great work!

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

Still disappointing that it appears at all... especially when to me it looks like that is just tons of beautiful sheet metal fabrication which is relatively cheap (less COTS parts and smarter design reduce cost). I would guess most robots cost more than this one actually.

It doesn't matter how much in total was spent all that matters is how much the value of the components is, and I can say that this robot does not look like over 4k at all to me, especially because it is all custom parts by the look of it which is just material cost (aka cheap).

Also why bring down a great robot if you are worse than it, I feel better if I am worse than a totally amazing robot; calling it anything less than that just simply brings you down and does not do anyone any good. its pointless and self-defeating to focus on how bad the great robots are when you would be better off focusing on what makes your robot good and and aspiring to become great.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

You should check out the cost of raw materials. If you make all your own components, robots become quite inexpensive.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

I wouldn't have been surprised to see this on the first page.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

I agree, if your team lived near a huge potential you would run after it too. Don't criticize them for what they have, learn from what they do.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

I doubt the BOM for this robot would be excessive at all - and actually may be quite a bit less than many teams'! FIRST says donated parts (sheets of aluminum laser cut and bent to shape by sponsors) don't count in the cost roll-up... In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Apex had a lower total at the bottom of their BOM than most teams that buy more parts, gearboxes, etc....

FIRST encourages teams to partner with companies and individuals to spread FIRST and elevate the quality of robots and level of play. If you disagree with this, feel free to find one of the dozens of threads about "FRC team philosophy" and take your side... this thread isn't the right place.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

I'm sorry, but I am so sick of this crap. It's obvious these students and mentors put in a lot of work designing and building this incredible machine. They do it every year. There's no doubt the students have been inspired by this creation (not just 118s, but obviously students from every team that's seen this amazing video...just look at the last 128 comments for proof). And it's not just the students that get inspired by them either. I'm a professional engineer and I'm inspired by this. It's not just this year either, it's year after year. In that respect, 118 embodies everything this entire program is supposed to be about: INSPIRATION. Respect that. Acknowledge that. Support that.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

I see a lot of parts on 118's robot after watching their video 10 or 15 times that could be considered cheap or free..... Pneumatics-Donated (3), Sensors PDV+Andymark FIRST Choice, Their White plastic material could probably bought for under 200 bucks, sheet aluminum 1/8 wall 4x12 ft for us in hawaii is only $470, manufacture time does not count into their BOM because NASA is a recognized sponsor, electronics can technically mostly be FIRST Choice/KOP, motors FIRST Choice and VEX donation.....

$4000 now looks like a lot doesnt it?

A great usage of KOP items imo....

I would like to add that 118s robot is probably cheaper than our bot and we had a build budget of only $2000 + KOP parts/electronics...

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

... Seriously?

By your logic, there is no team in FRC that would be able to field a legal robot. Assuming a team purchased nothing to build their robot, then they would be left with $4,000 to put towards man power. Even at federal minimum wage, this works out to ~550 man hours... I'm confident that every machine that you'll see on the field this year has more time into it than that.

Even if we ignore man power and consider the machines used, I'd say that you'd still be hard pressed to find a machine that didn't have more than $4,000 in billable machine use/time. (Seems like even smaller/newer teams have a minimum of $2k-3k in tools)

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

Can we not have this discussion here? It's a topic that's been beaten to death already, do a quick search on CD and you'll see. Plainly, I'm quite sick of it. How can you draw any conclusion without actually looking at the robot? 3 minutes of video isn't really much to make conclusions off of. Please. Make another thread if you want to gripe about it.

Props to 118. I've followed their robots over the years, this is the most impressive one I've seen to date. However, I'm predicting there will be robots that can match it. I'll be watching the webcasts intently.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

I don't care who built this robot, It's still amazing and should be an inspiration to us all.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

that's my opinion too! Every year, 118 inspires our team to dream for the stars, and land on mars. If 118 wasn't there we wouldn't be off the ground. Think about it every superstar has critics. Keep doing what you do 118.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

My cousin lives minutes from the Robonauts in Texas and I'm urging her to do whatever it takes to join this team in high school.

118 packs more inspiration into one video than practically anyone else.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

I've been playing against a 118 robot every year for the past 11 years. Some times we come out ahead but most of the time we don't. However they are always fueling us to do more. My team spent more time this year than ever on our robot, we learned about new technologies and yes we spent more money. Part of the reason we did these things is we knew that we had to compete with the likes of 118 and 148 and that's a good thing. They don't set a bar for others to meet, they prove that there is no bar.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

FYI, there's a fair number of other teams in the Houston area that aren't too shabby. Just in case she can't, you know, move to an entirely different school district just to be on 118. :rolleyes:

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

wow!!!! you guys are going to be awesome!!!!

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

This +1.

We did our own WCD this year. Since we did it ourselves from stock components (except the gearboxes, wheels & sprockets) it costs less than the kit bot drive train.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

All I can say is wow! We've learned to anticipate 118's reveals and it definitely did not disappoint once again. Seemingly effortless full-court shooting, shooting from anywhere on the field, climbing, floor pickup, picking up 2 side-by-side discs, it seems to do almost everything extremely well. WOW!

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

Haha, 57 would be good too :) Know what team Clear Lake High School would be part of?

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

That would be the 118 system, as far as I know.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

:) Thanks

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

I'm glad I know a student from your team who is level-headed.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

Most trolls do have a bedtime :D .

I know getting my electrical/biometric/computer engineering degree is important and all, and so is employment, but can I apply for a "mentor" position where I really just watch you guys work and try to keep my brain in solid form?

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

The playing field IS level. We all play according to the same rules. There are big sponsors everywhere, you just have to show them you're worthwhile to spend their money on. You'll notice that the superstar teams (148, 118, 217, 254, 1114, 2056, 233, 25, 16, 67, 987, etc) are not concentrated in any one particular area.

The superstars aren't great because they have great sponsors. They have great sponsors BECAUSE they're great.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

You know....

118 does amazing reveal videos every year, it's clear they have a phenomenal media team. It would be really interesting if they did a full documentary style video of their build season. I suspect a lot of people (myself included) would love to watch a feature length documentary on the 118 build process....

Of course, maybe that would involve giving away too many trade secrets :rolleyes:

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

And of course they chose not to reveal it during premier night.

118 you have exceeded all expectations.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

I'm curious, Justin, how many RC helicopters do you guys have to budget for this year? :rolleyes:

Still watched this all morning today between classes. 1) I can't get enough of the bot, 2) brilliantly produced video, 3) I really just wanted to hear Can't Hold Us all day haha.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

I feel like most of the video would just be blurred out :P

I saw pics of Macklemore shooting a video on the Row at USC a few weeks ago (probably for this song)...he could have saved some coin and simply used this as the official music video with a few cameos.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

One thing that makes FIRST powerful is how we, coming from a community team that works out of a garage with limited resources, have learned so much, have become so inspired, that we know that we can build a robot that can be as successful and excellent as any of the Robonauts' golden robots. Without teams like them, we wouldn't see the potential we have to be excellent! And after spending countless hours buildinng, designing, and outreaching with my teammates, I still wouldn't mind losing to a team like this at all: every endeavor we make benefits our skills, and whenever we become better we inspire others as well. Kudos, Robonauts!

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

Robonauts are a national treasure. Apex is a work of art. It should be in a museum. Immediately.

Great job. Congratulations!

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

We have a level playing field. They have the sponsors because they've gone above and beyond to excel in what they do. It's like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhHONpmlxPc

Your logic is like saying Michael Jordan was a great basketball player because of the shoes. He was the best before & after those shoes. Those students that you just discounted with your comment; they worked tirelessly & in seamless collaboration with mentors/sponsors/their community to push the envelope in exceeding the images of extravagant gameplay that FIRST hoped to cultivate within its students. They would probably still be doing this even with the simplest of equipment.

I had the pleasure of attending a Week 0 event locally as a referee & as a member of GeorgiaFIRST. While walking around, I found a robot that looked simply amazing. 4 cylinder shooter, ridiculously exceptional drive train, and an ingenious corkscrew system to adjust their shooting & Frisbee loading. It was something to look at. Wish I had a picture to put here.

When I asked about their materials to create these amazing things, you know what they told me majority of their materials came from?

Their local junkyard. They have the drive, and they have the ingenuity to create something with the simplest of materials and absence of things my old team would consider to be a given right, and they created something I expect to see in the elimination rounds at Peachtree.

The Robonauts are the best because they do the things that are hard, and they have reached and surpassed the point in their collective walk in where they are stepping outside their previous comfort zones, and endeavor to do greater things than others have ever thought or attempted to do. That's the secret to their robot; not the money or the access, but the individual heart and spirit in everyone that steps inside that workshop to go big, and become the best. To finish my annoyance with your statement, here's a quote from President Kennedy that a mentor from another team showed me when I was writing a speech for the Peachtree Regional (and it fits with this team):

“We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too.”

Again, great robot, great students and mentors; and overall, great team. Makes me proud to know one of the alumni from my alma mater assists as a mentor in this amazing collaborative.

End of rant.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

How are you guys able to alter the spin of the disc. In some shots, the disc veers hard left, while some veer hard right (and everywhere in between).

Now if I am not mistaken, it looks like the entire top half of the robot can slide up and down (0:49). Is there any particular reason for this?

Beautiful robot! Good luck and we'll see you at competition.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

*snrk* I'm trying to decide if you meant to do that. :)

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

Of course. But they probably have a dastardly practice robot. :rolleyes:

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

At some points it looks like you guys pickup/hold/shoot more than 4 discs (0:18). Is this just because you can or was there a specific design choice to hold more than 4 discs?

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

I bet if anyone took a look at the 118's Bill of Materials the only thing that would be on there is hard work and that's priceless.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

I'd certainly hope they'd have all the components of their robot on there as well.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

This robot is an amazing feat of engineering. The robots 118 builds are only the visual product of what must be an extraordinary program of learning and inspiration, for students and mentors. EVEN IF it was entirely developed by professional engineers, I would still be amazed. Creating such an intricate machine in six weeks is awesome.

This would be very interesting, but I would be satisfied with a detailed explanation of their process, from how they manage their team and train their members, to how they distribute and manage the workload of designing and fabricating such a robot. I think I might learn more usable info if they focused their engineering process, not about the specific design decisions they made for this year's robot.

All I can say is that I'd love to attend The 118 School of Project Management and Design.
And that I am inspired by their work.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

Actually, if you look closely their intake lifts and does not pick up the Red or Blue disc that are on the floor. So they are actually using code to prevent them from picking up more the 4 disc.

Great machine, I hope to see it in person at some point this season.

-Clinton-

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

But at (0:22) they shoot 5 discs, unless I just can't count.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

You mean they pick up 5 discs(4 white and 1 red).

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

Go back to Hogwarts. Haha best robot I've seen all year, by far! Can't wait to watch you compete... at EINSTEIN :cool:

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

It's a shame you are not going to San Antonio this year :(

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

Why aren't you guys coming to CT again?!?

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

Here are some reactions from some of our team members this morning:
Oh my god!
How did they keep this under 120 pounds?
I like the lights!
That robot is legit.
We're done for.
Why can't I be on 118?
(and my personal favourite) That poor helicopter!!!

Seriously. Legit. Robot. I am in love with it!!!
Good luck to you guys this year!

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

You guys are truly an inspiration.

I'll make sure to drop by at SVR!

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

I do not know if someone has brought this up before, but I love the way that you have "passed the torch" from the past years robot to the current years in each of your last two robots unavailing videos.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

Alright. This is how I can sum up what I see.

Every team builds a robot. Most of them complete one or a number of the prescribed game challenges. Many of them are competitively successful to some degree. Few of them dominate the competition with nearly every potential ability.

And only one always does what 118 always does.

Congratulations Team 118 on finishing another build season, creating another phenomenal robot, and earning another impressed spectator. If we get back to IRI, I will probably be spending all my free time before quals start in your pit again.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

Whoa. 6 weeks!!
I'm filled with emotion from watching the video! 99% inspired and awestricken, and maybe 1% depressed. There are certainly teams (118 clearly included) that are in a league of their own. The CAD, modeling and rapid prototyping to pull off a package like this is a testament to rock solid system engineering practices, planning and a ton of hard work.

Yes teams get to compete side by side, regardless of their experience and resources (there's the inspiring and depressing :) ). Sometimes I feel like there should be levels for competing, or handicap scores, but that's not the real world [and a well traveled CD topic already...]. In the real world you have to compete regardless of the caliber of your competition or you won't even make it out the door.

So congrats to 118 for blowing my mind, and all the teams out there for working hard and doing the best you can with what you have!

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

It is most likely that one would also find Dedication, Ingenuity, Perseverance, Experience and Courage.

What did 4334 (ATA) have on their BOM that got them to Einstein?



I suspect that a lot of people would pay for a DVD of that. I know I would.



Would your boss happen to have some space free in his facility to start a museum? I think he is the sort of man who would appreciate having the opportunity to admire Apex very day. :D

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

Awesome. An Inspiration to All Teams. Great Machine.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

This(large frisbee capacity) + very fast reliable floor harvest + rapid fire + 118's history (i.e. why not shoot and score while in a triple balance?)

My guess for sometime this season but likely during their very first regional: Their "auto goal" points from one match will be greater than the average regional total for the majority of FRC teams.

From that video I see no reason why they couldn't score at least 60 "auto goal" points in a given match. :eek:

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

There are quick cuts in this video that are not necessarily in exact chronological sequence. The first frisbee "stream" I noted was revealed in a zoom out to be Apex handling feeder station supplied discs, probably not more than 4 on board at a time. In fact, to suppose that a reveal video from such a high-level effort would point out some deficiency might be considered something of a slight to both the team and video maker. I'll go back and look again, but not because I expect to find error, rather because I like the exposition.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

Why would this be a deficiency?

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

After six weeks of busting our butts to build the best machine we could, I remember what it would feel like to sit down and watch a 118 reveal video.

While I don't have the six weeks of butt-busting any more, these machines and the videos are no less awesome.

It's teams like this that make FRC "the big league" of high school robotics. Well done 118... well done again!

Jason

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

It didnt last year.:rolleyes:

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

*Gasp*
Is one of your wheels randomly not in contact with the ground at 0:37?

It's on the back and the far side from the camera, i'm just curious as to why that would be.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

I'm assuming the middle wheels are dropped a bit so that would be expected?

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

This is a beautiful bot! Does she have a name?

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

You might want to pay closer attention to the first 5 seconds of the video.:rolleyes:

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

Why didn't I think of that?

Just do everything!! duh :D

Well done. As 120 posts have pointed out, this marks something of a pinnacle in FIRST engineering.

This is what they refer to in the hip hop community as a classic case of "Haters gonna hate" :)

Hypothetically, if FIRST concocted some ridiculous rule to limit the capital resources of teams, 118 would STILL dominate because (obviously) they are willing to spend an enormous amount of time prototyping, designing, and building an incredible robot.

I for one am completely content NOT spending that much time building a robot. If a group of people are crazy enough to dedicate this much time to an after-school project, then I say let 'em, and give them some awards too so they keep doing it!

Besides, we're just as likely to play with them as against them in quals.

This robot is an unbelievable triumph of creativity, engineering, and teamwork. 'nuf said

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

I, like Karthik, am incredibly surprised it took this long for a comment like this. But that's just a reflection of how disappointed I am in how ChiefDelphi has turned lately. All I hear is negativity.

Rather than try to tear them down, why don't you talk to the team and see what YOU can do to try to bring yourselves up to their level?!

Every time I hear 'FIRST should level the playing field', what people are usually saying is 'FIRST should bring the playing field down to me, so I don't have to work harder to achieve the level of success someone else has.' Pull yourselves up, don't tear others down. It's much better for everyone that way.

What's truly sad is that people on your team who don't feel this way are probably going to get negative messages just for having the same number on their profile. Because that's the way the world works.

General Disclaimer to CD: Your comments are going to reflect on other people, and that's unfair to your teammates. I hope the backlash from this makes people think about what they say & how it comes across.

They say you should never go to bed angry... too bad I logged onto Chief when I did. I'm honestly pretty disappointed in this forum lately. There are gems, but then there are things like this.

118, you have a beautiful robot and I can't wait to see it in action. Don't let the haters drag you down.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

I think you guys really missed the opportunity to steal lines from another great Macklemore track. A seriously beautiful machine, can't wait to watch it playing on the field.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

Wait, you mean Macklemore has more songs other than Thrift Shop??? :P

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

While I absolutely love Macklemore, I was thinking Up and Away by Can't Stop Won't Stop would also be fitting for an awesome Level 3 climber unveiling video.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

You also realize that no team on the World Champion alliance last year had any sort of facility to fabricate parts for them like 118 does. There's a plethora of good teams that don't. 118 just happens to one good team that has that kind of sponsorship.

Also, keep in mind: you don't become great because of your sponsors, you become sponsored because of your greatness.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

Well put! Quoted for truth.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

I'm puzzled why I've never heard of this Macklemore. He's got good stuff in his music—a proper instrumental track, amusing satire, trenchant commentary on consumerism and religion, proper reverence for baseball and delicate political activism. On his website, he even posted this genuinely thoughtful justification for watering down his song critiquing consumerism so the NBA could use it without offending Nike—and how in doing so, he was craftily playing the long game.

Oh, and that was a pretty cool robot too.

Re: The Robonauts 118 - 2013 Video
 

Other than the reveal video, are there specs you would care to release? (Things that you can't tell from the video or wouldn't be able to tell without seeing your robot in the pits or on a field).

Was there space for a shifting transmission, what are the reductions / top speeds?

How fast can you climb the pyramid outside a controlled setting?

And most importantly, have you tested to find the limit to your shooter's range? :D