Re: The 2015 game is... Recycle Rush!
 

If you can program a robot to drive forward for 5 seconds, you can surely program it to drive forward for 5 seconds into a crate. The auto stack and container set will definitely be trickier, though. Especially since the easiest path to the stack is a 1 robot stack and carry, which is going to have to plow through the containers to make it happen.

Personally, I'm guessing Champs is going to see several full set autos, with 2 robots shoving containers and an elite robot shoving/launching a container, then backing up to grab, stack, and carry the 3 crates for the auto stack. Or possibly grabbing the container and carrying it along with the stack.

Re: 2015 FRC Game : Recycle Rush
 

Well, not really.

The alliance that collected basketballs, negotiated the opposing alliance's defense, got to the safe zone (if they shot from the key), had a high completion percentage, and managed to do this multiple times in a match, won.

And even if what you said was true there would still at least be a winner at the end of the match. This year the opposite alliance isn't even really a factor in match considerations (unless you're coopertitioning or collaborating in some other way.)

Anyway these are just my initial impressions. I'm looking forward to seeing the designs and solutions the teams come up with. I just hope that all of the non-FIRSTers who have taken note of the program because of the exciting gameplay recently aren't bored with the gameplay this year.

Re: The 2015 game is... Recycle Rush!
 

I am sure our team will be able to do this but as last year showed asking all teams to move in auto mode is a tall order. While this year we are asking teams move 3 robots in a zone or no points, at least year it was points per robot moved.

Additionally for the 3 totes which are all or none, 1 tote will be easy to push just forward over the carpet. The the other 2 totes required to score will need to be pushed over the plastic covered scoring platform or will need to moved around them. Either of which is a tall order, to get the traction right or the pathing right, for a mid-level team and very unlikely for a low level/rookie team to be able to complete in auto.

Additional with the tote set only worth 6 points, I feel that the time developing and testing code to move a tote around or up a scoring platform could be better spend on new mechanisms or just tele-op practice.

I will agree auto mode at champs will be fun to watch though.

Re: The 2015 game is... Recycle Rush!
 

Last year, I told my (now) 11 and 7 year old cousins about Robotics. They were super excited to come to a competition, but the local one ended up happening on a week that they were on vacation. I said no big deal, you can come next year!

So they're super excited at Christmas.

And now they get to watch robots stack boxes for 2.5 minutes.

I don't know. If I was 11 I'd find it boring and stupid. I don't think 2016 will bring the best turnout nationally for new kids, but there could have been some improvements, I think. (No defense? :confused: )

I'm sorry, but it really shouldn't be, its approximately four lines of code.

Re: The 2015 game is... Recycle Rush!
 

The actual name of this game should have been the Have and the Have Nots.
Elite teams are gonna look even more elite without any defense (aka high speed ramming til they break) being played on them while teams are now required to actually do something useful and manipulate game pieces to be successful which I don't always recall seeing a high degree of at most competitions until you reach championship level.

Re: The 2015 game is... Recycle Rush!
 

I agree with Have and Have Nots, but high-speed ramming was not the only solution. For example, at the Silicon Valley Regional last year, a swerve team from Hawaii (368 IIRC) effectively locked down 254 for a good portion of times during elims just by blocking.
This was not a game built for rookies, to be sure. Stacking is a major part of the game, and not every team can build a lift so easily.

Re: The 2015 game is... Recycle Rush!
 

I am slightly disappointed with the game this year, last year our robot could push others if needed and it was really fun to watch a robot get shoved backward. Also I am worried about teams who are not mechanically inclined and would typically build a robot designed for defense. With that not being an option this year they may, unintentionally get in the way of teams who can stack. I can help someone program a robot from scratch on practice day, but building a manipulator on the limited resources found at a competition would be extremely difficult.:( :confused: With that said, the Challenge, because that is what it is, should be interesting to play and watch.

Re: The 2015 game is... Recycle Rush!
 

I'm not sure if this is already clarified. But can we load the pool noodles before we stack the bin on the totes?? Also can a robot bring a bin to the human player to have the human player load it through the wall and then stack it?
Thanks,

Re: The 2015 game is... Recycle Rush!
 

Where can you buy containers for this game?

Re: The 2015 game is... Recycle Rush!
 

Follow the manual, and you'll find the part number "1788472" or "FG263200GRAY" and for the lid "1788471"

http://www.rubbermaidcommercial.com/...rcpNum=1788472
http://www.rubbermaidcommercial.com/...rcpNum=1788471
http://www.webstaurantstore.com/rubb...0FG2632GY.html

Re: The 2015 game is... Recycle Rush!
 

Did someone notice the bananas on the field drawings?

Re: The 2015 game is... Recycle Rush!
 

I bet they tried but may have found the shipping of those containers to be a problem.

Re: The 2015 game is... Recycle Rush!
 

1. The order in which anything happens does not matter, since the points are scored at the end of the match. It will be much easier to score litter on a grounded bin rather than putting it on top of a stacked bin.

2. Yes, the human player can load the litter into the bin that a robot is holding.

Re: The 2015 game is... Recycle Rush!
 

Why are the game pieces getting so big? Where are we supposed to keep the recycle bins and totes in the pits?

Re: The 2015 game is... Recycle Rush!
 

I really like this game for a few reasons.

1. No bumpers + elimination of most robot size constraints. We're going to see some really interesting and unique robots this year, the likes of which hasn't been a part of FRC in over a decade. If people thought that most robots in 2014 looked the same, this will be the year of massively different (and potentially just massive) robots.

2. Little direct interaction between the two alliances. For a stacking game, this is a must. Anyone with memories of 2003 remembers what a stacking game without protected stacking areas was like.



Last year was a very defense heavy game, so it's refreshing to have a very offense heavy game.

This also means that generally most of the "rules of thumb" of FRC can be thrown out the window and you can use a blank slate this build season (or at least re-evaluate every thing). Generally most years, you design and build a drivetrain and chassis, then put the robot on top of that. This year you can design your mechanisms, then stick your drivetrain around it.

3. Relaxation of more robot rules. Unlimited Mini CIMs? Yes!

4. Hugely varied game elements and objectives. Coupled with #1, this will lead to a huge diversity in robot designs, along with specialization of strategies. The lack of defense also means that most teams who build robots that work in their shop should also work on the field; in most other years robots struggle with even the slightest bit of defense.