Many battlebots use 24 volt systems. The Just becuase the robot controllers in the past haven't supported it doesn't mean that IFI won't make the same changes that they made for battlebots.

Actually, even in the 24V BB robots most control systems still draw either 7V or 12V. Most teams that I've seen actually have separate batteries for the radios and controller.

Anyway, InnovationFIRST has already posted the new RC reference guide (on 12-20-02) and it still says 12V. Now, the RC only draws .75 to 1A, so it is very possible to power the RC off a small NiMH (or NiCad, etc) battery with less than 1Ah and still survive for multiple matches without recharging. This would be kinda cool to see as it would avoid the whole on-off-on-off cycling thing as the voltage in the main circuit drops below 8V.

if i'm not mistaken, the victor speed controllers can handle up to 24 volts as is, spikes wouldn't be hard to change, and it's easy enough for IF to add in a voltage reducer on the RC if they didn't want to change too much. it's feasible.

i just don't think that FIRST would allow this to be leaked now. granted, no ones going to go run with this info, as it's not a confirmed source. oh well, 2 more days, then we find out for sure...

If you notice the note it's "signed" by a seth at the end, and addressed to a Jim, so maybe the poster is Jim and the person from Mass. is Seth.

THere is also a version of the Victors specific to 24V, if you look into some of the battlebot threads, overvolting specific motors (ones that can handle it without self distructing) can give a huge power boost. Also the motor to have is the 24V DeWalt Hammerdrill so maybe if we aren't getting BOSCH's this year they are stepping up to some more serious motors.

In the near future automotive will also be stepping up from what I hear it may be up to 48V.

Re: Confirmed Game Information
 

For the judge's sake, FIRST usually has scoring based on the final position of objects at the end of the match. This is so the judges can watch and make sure everything the robots are doing are legal during the match. If there are points for making baskets (especially if robot position is a factor) more judges will be needed to specifically watch for this. More judges=more money, money which FIRST does not have.

This "info" has BS driping off of it!
 

First of all if you look back at ALL the privious year of cometition FIRST ALWAYS has the score calculated in the end! thats what matters because A) its easier to judge B) if there is a controversey its easier to solve it!

Next, It is too easy to accidentaly damage the foam balls by say driving your robots corner into them and squizing them between the wall and the robot. There for you can't DisQualify for that. The ball will but out of spec for the next round (damaged ball) so FIRST would have to replace it. Too many to replace very costly. Very unlikelike its foam balls.

10 more pounds to the robot. Yea right. If anything FIRST is trying to cut down on weight of the robot so its easier to take to the field and off the field.

Ballz? NO WAY we had ballz for the last 3 years. Please i would go for something more fresh wouldn't you wouldn't first?

24V? hmmmm maybe....

shiping a hoop that size? give me a break, don't be so rediculous
first never shipping anything that big to the teams.

this is even harder to understand scoring wize...


SO I say THIS IS MOSTLY BS. GOOD BS but still BS :D

RAR!!! Comon, can we all have some fun!! :yikes:

Re: Confirmed Game Information
 

Ummm, 16 foot plexiglass at all regionals?
dont think so, do i hear $$$$ and big doors?

Possible.... 2.973 is an undergrad class. A quick check of the MIT directory for the name 'seth' (http://web.mit.edu/bin/cgicso?query=seth) yields only 1 undergrad, AND the 1 student is in the Mechanical Engineering program, the department Prof. Flowers teaches in. Hmmm...coincidence? I don't care! Either way, I'm just wait until Saturday to be sure of anything.

Re: This "info" has BS driping off of it!
 

Not true. Either '94 or '95 had a football goal posts type structure at the top of a hill. You got points for putting balls through the goal posts at any time throughout the match.

Re: Re: This "info" has BS driping off of it!
 

That was '95. However, there were definitely issues with correct scoring. Some teams could pass the ball through the plane of the goal so fast that the officials counting score would get behind in their counting.

Actually the curved backboard intrigues me. Not that I belive the post in it's entirety, but it might have elements of truth.

If the curve of the backboard is a parabola, then any shots that hit it would be directed towards the focus of the parabola. That would be especially true of shots from between the two baskets. Many light sorces that direct the output of a bulb in a single direction use this principle. Not to mention gas lasers and hundreds of other devices. SO if the basket was located at the focus of the backboard, it would make it easier to hit it.

But the other problems that have been pointed out remain. Not the least of which is the hearsay nature of the post.

C'mon guys, let's lighten up a bit. This is the rumor mill. There's no need to viciously tear apart what was posted.

The different zones for shooting do seem like a very good idea. If we are shooting balls this year, having something like a basketball 3-point line will help a lot. Teams can shoot from a distance to gain more points, but those who can't shoot can still come up to the hoop and get less points.

Anyways, it is an intriguing idea, though I doubt that this is the real game. Most of what JAlbertz said is possible, even if it isn't probable. I can see many of these elements appearing in the game, though they probably won't all show up. We'll just have to see...

There is no team #146 in CA or in MASS. Also this guy registered today: 01-01-2003

THIS guy isn't even real nor is he from team 146 as far as im concerned....

Please correct me if there is a team # 146 and where are they from...