Predictions by Car Knack & Jr.
 

The almighty Car Knack has allowed me to post our predictions on this year's game:

1) This year's championship alliance will be at least two king of the hill machines. Bins will not decide the outcome and stacking machines will be toast. Again, FIRST has biased the game scoring too heavily in one direction.

2) Of the division winners, at least one team, probably two teams on each alliance will have a spare machine to tweak their autonomous software during the competition season. Gone are the days of building one machine and hoping to be competitive.

3) The autonomous period will be the most fun part of the competition, best ever of FIRST. The last 30 seconds will be battlebots.

4) The person selling concessions near the block long line at the practice/debug field will be one sure winner at the competition.

5) The national final's attendance will be the best ever and the media coverage will be outstanding. It will be very loud, and many student drivers will not be prepared. Indoor stadium, what a concept. Moving from Disney was a GOOD move.

6) At least one driver will trip and fall in the race for the controls after the autonomous period. Also, at least one human player, ref, or yes even fan will come in contact with a robot/part during competition. The FIRST guy on the shutdown switch will have the toughest job. Please be safe everyone.

7) Like last year's prediction, at least 25% of the machines in the finals will experience damage and will not be at full strength or not even answer the bell.

8) No rookies in the finals. This thing is just too competitive.

Car Knack may have a few more, but that is all for now. Let's have some fun.

Sincerely,

Car Knack Jr.

"8) No rookies in the finals. This thing is just too competitive."

I might have to disagree with that one there, almighty Car Knack and Car Knack, Jr. ;)

Seriously though, I think this will be a great year and fun for everyone. I certainly can't wait for the Championship, and I hope my team can find a way to make it.

Good luck everyone,

Kev

Edit- changed "team" to "year."

1) Possibly, but one would have to function as an attacker.

2) I don't think this will ever happen.

3-7) Sounds good.

8) If a team was all students I'd say yes, but the "help from professional engineers" aspect makes this prediction too risky.

I think I'll add a 9:

9) At least one box will leave the field at high velocity.

Ummm...

I think ur wrong about stacking. It will matter, although not as much as it should.

Ur definantly right about 2 KOH bots in the finals(beaty anyone?).

As for the rookies. I expect that the higher seeding teams will end up being stacking type bots, which will pick KOH bots for their first alliance member, and then a complementary robot as their second(this second bot could quite possible be a rookie bot that only does ONE thing but does it VERY well).

Moving from disney was definantly a good move, the crazy heat from last year made our breakers go crazy!

10) At least two teams that were a regional winner in the last week of regionals won't make Nationals due to last minute logistics and/or cost.

11) At least one alliance in the national finals will have a limbo bot as part of their alliance, likely the 2nd draft pick.

KA-108 :cool:

1) Stacking bots will be pickers, thus you can bet to see them all the way through elims. Simple math, win or lose they're gonna up the score in that match (unless you're going to be simply evil and just remove every bin from the field and then sit on the ramp...). I think all you stacker critics will be surprised how well they will be able to control the score.

2) I thought that age passed already, not only for perfecting the autonomous code. A second bot allows your drivers to know the machine near perfectly. A good set of drivers can make a mediocre machine perform like some of the best.

addition to 9) FIRST will realize allowing box projectiles is a major to safety hazard and start disabling bots who can fling more than a short distance.

Overall, build to endure may be the biggest understatement of the year. Bring spare parts... lots of spare parts.

Re: Predictions by Car Knack & Jr.
 

4a) The person selling concessions near the Beatty pit will be the other sure winner. Can't wait to see what surprises you have in store for us this year.

It seems that Car Knack Jr. and I think a lot alike. I can't wait to see how it really turns out. I also can't wait to see what Car Knack Sr. has to say. I'll be seing you guys at the competitions.

Brian

I have to chuckle when ever I read your predictions.

I couldn't agree with you more.

We would like to see some pictures of our robot.

Ditto.

I totally agree with the fact that you all think alike. In 2001, your--60, 71, 308--robot designs were essentially the same: balance two goals while not needing to be on the ramp. In 2002 60 and 308's design were essentially the same: grab two goals and lift them up.. its amazing really.

Re: Predictions by Car Knack & Jr.
 

Well, it's good to know you have faith in us. :rolleyes:

One More
 

I predict at least two human players will be injured during the elimination rounds at Nationals.

-Nobody will be injured
-King of the Hill will win it
-We will want Disney back after the first day at Houston.

Form fallows Function.
How about those Pic???????