Re: 2015 HINT DISCUSSION
 

Agreed, I think it more just a clarification on what needs to be made public. Pictures of cad designs don't cut it, the source files actually need released to the public if you plan on using them.

Re: 2015 HINT DISCUSSION
 

True. My stating that the rule has been standing for a while wasn't the best way to state it. It's not exactly a new rule, but a recycled one. Look at the rule for 2013.

"4.1.4.1 R16
ROBOT elements, including software, that are designed or created before Kickoff are not permitted, unless they are
publicly available prior to Kickoff."

Frank reminded us a couple months ago not to assume previous rules apply to this year's competition. That recommendation has been longstanding and is nothing new.

Another example. One year we can not use springs, the next year we can, and the following we can not.

"Everything changes and nothing stands still." -Heraclitus

Re: 2015 HINT DISCUSSION
 

So... is there no longer an exception for bumpers or the operator console? That could indicate that both are changing dramatically this year (so previous designs wouldn't be relevant). Bumper rules were one of the things called out in Frank's original "something is changing" blog post...

Re: 2015 HINT DISCUSSION
 

I think I cracked the code. Coca-Cola has gotten involved with FIRST and Dean's company, DEKA. There will be Coke machines at either end of the playing field. Your robot will have to insert "change" (get it?) in to the coin slot, make a selection and lift the chosen bottle/can out of the receptacle. Then you open the bottle or can & pour it's contents into a reservoir on your robot. (Side note: if the machines only serve bottled water, there's your long-anticipated water game). Then the bots place the empty bottle/can in the RECYCLE BIN! An added benefit is the exhausted drive team can drink the contents of the reservoir at the end of the match.

You're welcome.

Re: 2015 HINT DISCUSSION
 

I highly doubt that Mr.Kamen would allow something like that. DEKA has always been neutral in FIRST and has never had projects that influence the game. The GDC (Game Design Committee) would not take a DEKA project and involve it in the game due to not having sufficient knowledge as they are two separate entities and Mr.Kamen would highly oppose it.

Re: 2015 HINT DISCUSSION
 

CokeMachineBot is disappointed.

Re: 2015 HINT DISCUSSION
 

Re: 2015 HINT DISCUSSION
 

So, I'll admit to not having read the entirety of this thread, but on the subject of triangles, and more specifically, deltas, there is apparently a type of robot referred to as a "Delta Bot" that is often used to move materials in industry (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_robot I may have misinterpreted the entry, but it's still a better lead than 'water game!' ;-) ) Maybe instead of game pieces going directly from the human players to the robot, there will be a delta bot transferring them?

Re: 2015 HINT DISCUSSION
 

In the past, hints have led us to the name of the game and little more. My guess for the name of the game is "Change of Pace", and what the game entails, who knows. But, the most outrageous change I can think of going forward is this........... Dean Kamen appears at Kickoff.......wait for it...........sans denim! :ahh:

Re: 2015 HINT DISCUSSION
 

The game manual is only 65 pages this year, because when I go the the game manual link (on my iPhone at least) it says "0 of 65" for what page it is.

https://rps01.usfirst.org/frc/manual...-Encrypted.pdf

This is a substantial change compared to 93 pages in the 2014 manual. Could this be the change they are talking about?

Re: 2015 HINT DISCUSSION
 

I very much doubt it will happen (at least this year), especially considering the lack of any evidence to support it, but just in case, I'd like to officially lay claim to being the first to proposing a caution cone gamepeice (at least in this year's round of speculation; someone else may have done it in past years)!

Re: 2015 HINT DISCUSSION
 

This would be fun to work with:

Re: 2015 HINT DISCUSSION
 

Is someone else able to replicate this? I don't have an i-device to try it on and I can't seem to replicate it on any of my devices.
If the manual is really down to 65 pages, that's a great change. It will make the manual much less intimidating to read. Hopefully, we'll see a lot more people reading the manual this year.

Re: 2015 HINT DISCUSSION
 

Funny you mention that. 3 years ago at CMP, at one of Bill Miller's last Ask Bill meetings, he introduced some of the GDC, and one woman (I don't know her name, but it was her last year on the GDC) said (for all to hear) "we've developed a water (bottle*) game!". (She backed off the mic a little for the word "bottle"). The crowd gasped...
I can't remember where exactly, but Frank said the rules would be significantly shorter this year, much simplified. This was some months ago. Guess it's true! Thank goodness, almost 100 pages was too much.

And, as far as change goes, I am STILL afraid of it (see my post at the beginning of this thread).

Re: 2015 HINT DISCUSSION
 

I just tried it on my phone and can confirm - 65 pages.