andy!

i look at update 4 and it seems to me that those rules apply only to the robot currently on the field.

...meh doesn't matter if the need is there you can always swap stuff.

P.S. if there a chanse you could come by Silicone Valley Regional with that robot?

Its all your fault
 

Thanks to you guys my plans for getting work today went out the window. My afternoon plans where to complete the 3 days of school work I would be missing in order to attend BAE but that went out the window when I saw the new 45 drive. I just had to stare at it for sometime to get an idea on what it was and appreciate what it did.

Again my hat goes off to you, as another big stride in drive systems is achieved this year.
Congrates.

Re: Re: more explainations
 

I really don't know. We have no efforts in evaluation yet. Our prototype had casters, not extra omni-drive wheels. Koors is currently on a mission trip to Hati... when he gets back, he may be able to explain this better than I can.

I see the omniwheel as a power boost, and it only helps the ball drive go forward and back with another contact point.

For instance, when the ball hits the ramp grating, the omniwheel gives the frame more power to push up the ramp. Once the robot is level on the ramp again, then all 4 points of contact are again propelling the 'bot.

There is a slight speed imbalance between the balls and the omniwheels... we are not sure how this affects performance. If the speeds/losses were better matched, I am sure that it would run a bit better. At it's current setup, it does run pretty well and I don't think that we are seeing the "stall" problem that you are describing.

Andy B.

Words do not do the TechnoKats justice.

Years past, you've ALWAYS been one of my favorite robots. My favorite robot of **ALL** time was your Huge Freakin' Arm of 99 (TKO). That thing could destroy anything in its path.

Now you throw TWO beauties at me to choose from.

Question: My memory is hazy, but the arm on Mighty Mouse brings back memories of the Huge Freakin' Arm of 99. Are there many//any similarities there?



And since there are a number of people that seem to be confused and seem to believe that this is the post where you go to shamelessly plug yourself and your team and your personal 'wondrous' ideas you didn't have the balls to run with (like the TechnoKats did) :

This thread belongs to the TechnoKats.

Fear them.


EXAMPLE OF WHAT DOES BELONG HERE:

TechnoKats, you guys are astounding. I will spend as much time as possible in your pit at Midwest gaping in dumb awe.

You guys and what you've done this year is everything FIRST is supposed to be about.

I can only pray to once again see the wonderful sight of 45 and 111 side by side.

See you at Midwest.

Rock on.

Mad props to 45.

This has to be the most interesting concept turned into reality that I have ever seen.

I'm going to need to see video of this thing in action.

Keep up the great work. And that goes for everyone.

:D

<edit>
Oh, one more thing... I want to see the code for driving this thing...
;)
</edit>

The program was thrown together at the last minute. The program is just a simple tank drive code with 2 sticks, and if you move the right stick left and right, it gives you sideways movement

So as everyone has said. The Ball drive system is real impressive. Must be awsome on the feild. But thats just the base. How much can that little claw really do?

Arm
 

The arm operates just like any other arm (it's similar to the 1999 arm with less joints). It's meant to be a stack destroyer and that's it. I'm guessing it could try to remove 1 tote to lower the multiplier or it can swing and wipe out 1/2 or all of the stack. For a sure method of removing the whole stack it can grab under the lip of the bottom tote with the lexan attachment at the end. Once it's under the lip it lifts and topples the stack.

As a past member in the team I am impressed with what I see in this and the other parts of the team.

i agree, very cool system, even if you dont get to use it.


my question: why would you patent it, and what purpose would that serve?

As it says earlier, the reason we patented it was so companys like Segway take our design and make a one ball Segway. It just stops companys from making money on our design.

I must say I don't know if we'll see a ball driven Segway, but it's never a bad idea to patent ideas. I only wish I would have done that with ideas I've had. I can't wait the less than 24 hours to check out you're bots.

Sorry to bring up a dead thread but I think it's appropriate.

Well Joseph, as was witnessed this weekend at the Midwest Regional. The technokats splurging provided another team which couldn't move a chance to play.

The technokats would have done it anyways, as they already had prototypes made. They just needed to start it's build post-kickoff if they were to want to compete with it.

I feel that if a team can afford it and it's of use to someone less fortunate, they should definitly build or use whatever it may be. The teams who blow thousands just so they have something neat.. well I don't like seeing those.

The technokat's once again showed the meaning of FIRST. An Ispiring new development in the Science and Technology field, and backing it with Gracious Professionalism.

Thank you Gadget. :)

I'm dying to see this in action- what team did you Technokats lend this drivetrain to? You sure did deserve that judges award!