I definitely want to see the truck pull back. psst how bout an engineers drive the robot set of matches like that other offseason comp that toally escaped my memory right at this moment?:D that would be awesome.

Cory

Robot Olympics
 

I was morely referring to the truck push idea. Not every robot has a square frame. If they push against the edge of the truck their front or rear wheels may lift off the ground, losing traction.


I propose that there be a Robot Olympics. Perhaps it can be the FIRST (pun intended!) Annual Robot Olympics. A series of events designed to test robot strength, speed, design, and game ability. These events would include:

1. The first event would be a truck pull. The best time of 3 runs to pull a truck 100ft wins. This event would test both robot speed and robot torque.
2. The second event would be the above mentioned leg press machine. The robot that can leg-press the most weight wins. Most leg presses max out at 200lbs, so that should be more than enough. 5lb weights can be added for precision. This event would test the pure robot torque.
3. The third event would be a race. It would be complete with straightaways, turns and shortcuts. The shortcut would probabaly a steep ramp that robots have to climb up. Full contact is allowed. This event is meant to test robot control, robot design, and robot speed.
4. The fourth event would test object scoring ability. Every game to date has had an objective to it, like last year it was to put balls in goals, and this year it was to stack. Either (a) the robot that creates a certain stack size in the fastest time or (b) the robot that creates the tallest stack in 1 minute, wins. This event would change from year to year. Only robots with required mechanisms may compete.
5. The fifth event would test robot autonomous ability. The robot able to transverse a predetermined, simple course in the fastest time will win this event. This event will test robot functionality and robot programming ability.
6. The last event would test robot durability and robustness. Each robot will be dropped from a height of approximately 20 feet. Points will be awarded according to the amount of damage sustained (or lack thereof). Bonus points will be awarded for robots that shatter nicely, kinda like one of those diving competitions.

Okay, so that last one is a joke. But it would certainly be interesting to see. First, second, and third place prizes would be awarded in each category, along with an honorable mention to be awarded at the judge's discretion.

Re: Robot Olympics
 

Hence the idea of making a straight surface for the robot to push ;). As long as the surface is perpendictular to the force from the robot, then the robots won't be tipping them over. All the wedge robots will be ok. The only robots that will tip themselves over are the one with upside down wedges, but I don't think any robots designed themselves to intentionally transfer traction onto opponent robots. The only one I remember is shapes like 522's robot, but even for that robot I suspect they will be fine.

So pulling a car in nutral isn't all that impressive. Lets get some of the fast robots to tow a manual transmission car, and push/pull start it.

That would be cool.


Wetzel
~~~~~~~~~~~
Now if only I could get my car to start.

Yeah, but what if the car was up on blocks?



:D