Re: [FRC Blog] Kit Hints?
 

This may be reiterating conclusions already met, but here are my thoughts and reasoning on item D:

FIRST gave us this data ahead of time for a reason, namely to warn about the size of object D, and for teams to prepare accordingly. I don't think that they would give us misleading data that might cause teams to make unnecessary plans and commitments for Kickoff.

FIRST understands that this might be inconvenient to some teams, and I think that they would strive to make any object as easy to transport as possible. Thus, if FIRST tells us we need to be able to carry a 5' object home with us, it probably can't be made shorter for long periods of time without damaging it.

There are more than one objects in the item set, as indicated by FIRST. If the reasoning above is correct, then at least one object is 5' long in it's storage configuration. Are all of the items like this? Might there be but a single 5' object, and an accompanying 3' object in there as well? We can't know for sure.

The configuration of the 5' object while in long term storage may not be the configuration of the object while in it's expected use.

For the moment: let's assume that the unaltered object is intended to be an element of the Finished Robot.

If the object is rigid, then 5' of something with questionable strength could be reasoned to be kept within the frame perimeter, away from the possibility of being broken by other robots. Thus it is supposed to be held vertically, and will probably cause the robot to be constantly > 5' in height while containing the object. Thus the rules would need to allow for this, either by allowing extra height for the object, or by raising the robot's total height limit. Neither is a big barrier, but something to think about.

If the object is flexible, than it can be expected that flexing it for extended periods of time would cause some deformation in it, due to the transportation situation. One possibility is that it is intended to be replaced occasionally, and to deform/break it is expected. If this is not the case, then you could apply the same reasoning held if it were rigid.

On the other hand, what if it were a field element?

FIRST would not include this if it were easily replaced. Thus I doubt that it is as simple as a pole, you could easily use a stick instead.

It must be a crucial tool to designing and building the robot, not an optional accessory.

Those are just my 2 cents, feel free to let loose with the nukes if you so wish.

Re: [FRC Blog] Kit Hints?
 

You're right. That would be sheer lunacy!

Edit:
<<<Look who just noticed the thread was 10 pages long. Still, did nobody hit that one yet?

Re: [FRC Blog] Kit Hints?
 

Item D is actually just two JVN cutouts with EJ's face stuck over them. Frank gets us

Re: [FRC Blog] Kit Hints?
 

Got it. C is a box of corn dogs. D is stacks of this video on DVD.

Re: [FRC Blog] Kit Hints?
 

I wondered how long it would take for that to happen.
Thanks Thad!!

Re: [FRC Blog] Kit Hints?
 

It's amazing this thread has over 100 posts less than a day later after it was posted

Re: [FRC Blog] Kit Hints?
 

There is another possibility that no one has mentioned yet:
A game using Tennis balls

Tennis balls are 2.575-2.700 inches in diameter. But get this: tennis ball cans are 8.5 x 3 x 3 inches, meaning that you could fit 7 in the box (60/8.5) with a tiny bit of room to spare.

"We're in full swing" could refer to a tennis swing

Re: [FRC Blog] Kit Hints?
 

My prediction: Capture the Flag

Re: [FRC Blog] Kit Hints?
 

Does First ship the FLL mats in a similar long box like this one or do they fold it?

Re: [FRC Blog] Kit Hints?
 

Definitely long boxes. Folded FLL mats would be an utter disaster. Those robots are ridiculously sensitive.

Re: [FRC Blog] Kit Hints?
 

The FLL mats are rolled, not folded. However, I believe this is more likely due to the fact that those robots are rather light weight and must traverse those mats with some level of precision which would be very difficult if there were creases in the mat.

Re: [FRC Blog] Kit Hints?
 

They actually tried to switch to folded mats a few years ago. It went about as well as you'd think.

Re: [FRC Blog] Kit Hints?
 

Those FLL mat rolls are 4' long, not 5'.

Re: [FRC Blog] Kit Hints?
 

C could be the base for the flag in D. The weight of C is due to the need to counter weight the flag to self right itself.

Re: [FRC Blog] Kit Hints?
 

So the battery has been removed from the tote, but the weight remains the same. My question is what is making up that extra 14 lbs? That number seems a bit high for just the new control system.