Re: Welcome me back?
 

http://www.usfirst.org/sites/default...ing_System.pdf

You can also look at the blog for more clarification:
http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprogr...stem–More-Info

Re: Welcome me back?
 

This is the original (now outdated). I posted the revised one on the previous post of this thread.

Re: Welcome me back?
 

http://www.nefirst.org/ is your one stop shop for New England district information. Welcome back!

Re: Welcome me back?
 

Welcome back Dan, we're glad to have you on board for 2014! :)

I would say from a strategy standpoint there has been a shift towards much simpler robot designs or robots that play a unique part of the game. A huge part of the push for simplicity can be found in reliability. Simple robots are easier to build and repair during the competition season. Robots now see twice to three times the matches in a season. Last season we played 70 official matches between regionals, the Championship, and two off-season events. This number doesn't include practice matches, two additional off-season events, and drive practice. In total I would say our robot saw about 110+ matches without in shop drive practice. Our rookie year robot saw 22 official matches and probably 15 after practice matches and an off-season event.

Back when I first started and much of your experience was teams competing at one event which was the average in FRC. Now two qualification events is becoming the standard with some teams seeing as many as four events before the Championship. FIRST has also been giving more matches at an event increasing the plays per dollar amount in which we will see more of in the District system.

Districts will be a huge change with now two day events compared to the traditional three day events with the practice day being replaced by load in/inspection the night before the competition and 6 hours of un-bag time in the shop. Really means the robot that goes into the bag for competition needs to be ready for its first match when we take it out.

The smaller robot size in 2013 was an interesting twist to the game adding a new size challenge. The nice feature of the smaller size was an easier inspection process.

Another interesting change over the years has been the withholding allowance of generally 30lbs of pre-fabricated materials you can bring into the event with you. This has led to more team's pulling off drastic redesigns or iterating current mechanisms in between events.

The introduction of the Vexpro product lines (a division of IFI), new companies like West Coast Products & Modulox, and expansions of product lines in Andymark, Banebots, & 221 Robotics Systems have brought a large number of off the shelf components to teams like never before. The Vexpro line of parts was something new in 2013 and has drastically expanded the choices and products teams can use on their robots.

All in all, a lot of changes with some good and bad but its still an amazing experience!

Re: Welcome me back?
 

So, 241 returns in at least one form. 1058 will be waiting for you! Since 241 stopped FRC, we've been vying for another rival/friend like you guys.

Re: Welcome me back?
 

Oh I will definitely be rocking the 241 Tie-Dye T-shirt from 2009 under my 3467 shirt at all events.

The ghost of team 241 lives in my closet, so if you ever want to stop by and pay your respects, feel free :D

Re: Welcome me back?
 

You gotta get that spacesuit the drive team used to wear! That thing was the best.

Re: Welcome me back?
 

I wouldn't say that. I think the top teams will still have complex systems in order to do one of the following: as many tasks as possible at a high level (254 ground pickup and climb) or one task extremely quickly/efficiently (1114's climb and dump). Yes, 2013 did raise the floor of many teams as it wasn't impossibly hard to shoot a frisbee and be able to do at least 2 cycles from the feeder station. Teams chose to specialize, but I don't believe robot designs became any simpler, especially at the highest tier.