Five Person Drive team in 2017
 

If you haven't seen Frank's latest blog post you can find it here,

http://www.firstinspires.org/robotic...pack-3-buttons

In the post there is a picture of the new drive team buttons for 2017, if you look closely you will notice that there are 4 drive team buttons and another for the drive coach. Could this be one of the hints for this year's game, will there be an additional drive team member on the field.

This is something that could open up some cool possibilities with the game, as long as it doesn't end up with human players scoring more than robots do, ala Lunacy in 2009.

Re: Five Person Drive team in 2017
 

I noticed this as well. I think the last time 5 people/team were behind the glass was 2001 when teams were allowed 2 drive coaches.

Re: Five Person Drive team in 2017
 

I think it is likely that there will be two human players this year. It wouldn't really make sense to change the amount of drivers, because it will just crowd the space behind the glass.

Re: Five Person Drive team in 2017
 

Somebody has to be the Drone Pilot ;)

Re: Five Person Drive team in 2017
 

Another possibility I thought up. What if the 4th drive team member is an optional button if you use a student as your "coach". So only 4 people on drive teams but you can either have 4 students or 3 students and one adult "coach". That way it would encourage* student coaches who could manipulate game pieces, touch controls, etc. And only adult coaches wearing the special button wouldn't be allowed to interact with game pieces, etc.

*I'm not saying it's something that should be encouraged but I can see the argument for it.

Re: Five Person Drive team in 2017
 

The extra button could also just be a spare, but that's far less interesting than other possibilities, so let's keep speculating.

Re: Five Person Drive team in 2017
 

I've been on drive teams since 2007 and have yet to be given a spare button, even if it would have come in handy sometimes when drivers disappear into the stands

Re: Five Person Drive team in 2017
 

That's because teams got a new set of buttons at each event*. Another way to read too much into this blog post would be to interpret the "every team will be getting a set like this" portion as teams will be getting one set of drivers buttons with their kickoff kit, and they have to keep them all year.




*With the exception of some years in the district format

Re: Five Person Drive team in 2017
 

Yeah there is no way that is a spare. Queuers would hate everyone at that point...

Everyone just remember some of thing things Frank has done in the past...

Re: Five Person Drive team in 2017
 

That seems very plausible since they don't have events on them like they did in the past. That seems like an extremely silly way to cut cost to me if it's true.

Re: Five Person Drive team in 2017
 

Possibly a true, teleoperated minibot?

Re: Five Person Drive team in 2017
 

If this thread isn't a sign that CD is going through some serious withdrawals, I don't know what is.

Re: Five Person Drive team in 2017
 

It's a good thing we are so close to kickoff then, plus the promise of more hints in the DLC unlocked tonight

Re: Five Person Drive team in 2017
 

4th drive team member... Prepare to TAKE FLIGHT! :eek:

Re: Five Person Drive team in 2017
 

Just give me a little more of that build season and ill be okay *twitches*

Seriously though, I doubt that we will get a 4th driver. I dont see how we would have room to begin with. Even in 2015 it was a bit cramped.