Re: 1114's Sneak Preview
 

I'm not saying autonomous isn't important or denying the advantage floor pickup could bring. And yes, it would be unlike 1114. From what I saw at week 1, consistent autonomous programs gave a huge lead even with no extra discs. I'm just entertaining the idea that maybe, just maybe, they actually went without it.

It could also be possible that the picture doesn't have a floor-loading mechanism because they have something similar to 1986's arm and it just isn't mounted. If the area below the shooter is actually a "gate" that can be used to human load, it could in theory be used to collect discs from the pickup arm. But I didn't design the robot, so I really don't know. In any event, we shall see in a few days.

Re: 1114's Sneak Preview
 

The only reason behind 1114 not having a floor loader is that they have developed some sort of anti-gravity field around the robot that makes the discs float up and in to the shooter.

It's actually more likely.

Re: 1114's Sneak Preview
 

I'm surprised that no ones mentioned the 4 air tanks featured prominently in the photo. To me, this implies a 30 point climb that involves a lot of pneumatic actuation.

Re: 1114's Sneak Preview
 

Or they had weight left and wanted "MOAR STORAGE".

Re: 1114's Sneak Preview
 

Does 1114 have to have an intake? I don't think it's a prerequisite to being a top team this year.

Re: 1114's Sneak Preview
 

Or they have an off board compressor, and need pneumatics for every time they shooter/shift, like last year.

Re: 1114's Sneak Preview
 

I know at least one elite team opted to skip the intake, but it seems like a no-brainer to have one. For the elite, a ground pickup is simpler and (usually) more valuable than a 30-point climber. 4 extra discs in auton (if you have time to develop, hence focus on elite) plus even just one more load of discs is more than 30 points. Plus, auton is time you're wasting unless you do extra discs. Climbing is time you could spend shooting more discs! Unless they run out. Which may happen. Not dissing climbing. Just a comparative thing.

The only time an effective ground pickup isn't so valuable is when you're an ultra-high accuracy, unblockable full-court shooter or if you and all your partners and all your opponents will never miss a shot. And it doesn't look like 1114 is tall enough to be unblockable. And even then, auton, man.

So, yeah, I would be really surprised if they can't pick up discs from the ground. Would love to see a counter-argument. I've definitely seen intaking robots that'd be better off going to the feeder station, but no doubt a Simbot pickup would be pretty quick.

Re: 1114's Sneak Preview
 

... I certainly would hope you think this way, since that is the strategy your team picked!
FIRST really made it hard for "doitallbots" this year.

Re: 1114's Sneak Preview
 

It looks as if they are using wide wedgetop wheels. (Look through the two lowest holes on the rightside of the picture.)

Re: 1114's Sneak Preview
 

I'm not the only one that finds it comical they named it after BA Baracus, given their alliance's Championship moniker last year, right?

Also: TEASE. Guaranteed this robot has a floor pickup. I would be nothing short of blown completely away if it didn't after everything Karthik has said throughout build of the value of the floor pickup.

Observation: This is likely their practice bot, and not the one that is sitting in a bag right now. The last few years, 1114's bots have had substantially more powdercoat than this.

Re: 1114's Sneak Preview
 

Interesting that the hanger is powdercoated, maybe they pulled that as part of the 30lb allocation?

Another impressive robot! Can't wait to see it in action!

Re: 1114's Sneak Preview
 

I wouldn't necessarily say they have a floor pickup. Who knows the value of floor pickup better than someone who's making due without it?
Besides, maybe they were encouraging other teams to make a floor pickup (maybe at the cost of climbing past a quick 10) so they have more ideal alliance partners.

I don't think the picture says too much about 1114's robot at this point, rather than it shoots Frisbees, has pneumatics, drives, and climbs.

Re: 1114's Sneak Preview
 

On the other hand, in response to 118's robot that can floor load, slot load, shoot and climb for 30: "Simply outstanding. I love it when teams are able to pull off what conventional thinking has defined as "impossible". (Think 71-2001, 71-2002, 469-2010)". (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...&postcount=98). Maybe they felt a robot that does everything well is would not be possible/preferable?

Looks like another awesome robot that I cannot wait to watch this season. Floor loading or not, I'm sure it will be one of the best.

Re: 1114's Sneak Preview
 

As stated by someone else above, 1114 wins a great majority of their matches before Autonomous is even over. The last time they didn't have an 'extra' game piece auto was 2009, and 2006 before that. (2012: Coop or Alliance Bridge, 2011: alliance mate's ubertube, 2010: climb the bump and shoot the middle segments balls too, 2008: both trackballs, 2007: alliance mate's keeper)

With a comparatively easy 'extra' game piece auto available this year, with a massive point bonus for being successful at it? There's just no way they aren't taking advantage.

Re: 1114's Sneak Preview
 

They probably do have floor collection, but it's not out of the realm of possibility that they don't.

I think the best thing to do is treat this like one of the GDCs game hints, and given they will be on the field by sometime Friday, just tune in to Greater Toronto's stream.