pic: The Bobcats 2001 & 2003 & Admirers
 

Re: pic: The Bobcats 2001 & 2003 & Admirers
 

So John V N, tell me now... where'd you get the arm idea? It certainly wasn't rage. ;) Us "Bob-kittens" certainly know how to make an arm, and we arent even cats yet... So if you're copying us, what does that make your team, "simple addition by zero?" =P ;)

We have some people going up to NH, i'll tell them to stop by and check out your good work. I like your arm, even if it does remind me of someone else's. =D As we all know being able to inspire someone, is always the best form of flattery.

Re: pic: The Bobcats 2001 & 2003 & Admirers
 

I think Team 60 would put up a challenge for the best arms.

Re: pic: The Bobcats 2001 & 2003 & Admirers
 

I'll have to see it in action, but right now I'd say team 25 has a lock on "best arm".

Re: pic: The Bobcats 2001 & 2003 & Admirers
 

Yeah their arm does look pretty beefy, I guess thats what happens when you use 3 times the mechanisms and 4 times the weight... oh well... luckily the bobcats aren't looking to challenge for best arm this year, we will only be using it to perform 2 of the 5 things we plan on being able to do

Re: pic: The Bobcats 2001 & 2003 & Admirers
 

Haha, wow...
Seriously though -- our arm was inspired by lots of different designs, though since our team leader is a 177 alumni you could make a strong argument the design has been influenced by bobcat-history.

You did catch us, the claw design was partially inspired by RAGE 2003. ;)

Re: pic: The Bobcats 2001 & 2003 & Admirers
 

Everyone looks at these robots, and only sees the arm, and assumes the other may have "copied" the design.

Look at Clarkson's robot, look at Rage's robot, Bobcats.... they are all completely different from the bobcats. Different drivetrain, different end effectors, radically different frame designs. Each of these robots are marvels of engineering in their own right.

173, what can i say... you guys know how to build a fast and agressive robot.... and beleive it or not, beneath that awesome red paint is a wood frame.... who would have thought that wood would be so great in FIRST.

229, your shifters last year worked amazingly, and you guys area always improving your designs. I look at that frame you have this year, and i say 2 things.... first, where is the mothers wax?... and second.... "wow".... John showed me the plans for the bot back before any parts were built, and i said to myself, if the real bot looks as great as the plans look, he's going to have a really competitive robot, and i think he does.

177, i think i can say without a doubt that "we" started the polished aluminum arm craze in the Connecticut River Valley. The first year we had an arm was in 97.... 98 and 99 we followed with similar designs, 2001 and 2003 we were back at it again, and i hear the 2004 bobcat will have another arm... there's a lot of surface area on those arms... hope you guys are ready to polish...

Even though robots may look the same, there is never two identical bots, (unless you look at 60 and 254 :))-- look deeper into these robot designs than just "hey you stole our arm", there is always more to see beneath the lexan coverings of these robots!

Best of luck, can't wait to see you guys compete!

Tom Schindler

Re: pic: The Bobcats 2001 & 2003 & Admirers
 

hey, did anyone care to mention that fact that 229 KIDNAPPED the main driver of rage from last year? hmmmmmmmmmmm........................I bet they have joel tied up in some dark corner until they get all of the secrets out of him..........

Re: pic: The Bobcats 2001 & 2003 & Admirers
 

fear the playwood, for it is god incarnate.

Re: pic: The Bobcats 2001 & 2003 & Admirers
 

I still have to say that the 2001 Bobcat robot is on my top 5 favorite list!!

Re: pic: The Bobcats 2001 & 2003 & Admirers
 

or 254??!?! or 60b???!?? or 254b!?!??!

Re: pic: The Bobcats 2001 & 2003 & Admirers
 

We may have used arms last year but correct me if I'm wrong, You guys have wood rollers and green tubing for ball spitting this year. (I am thinking back to 2000, 2002, 2004, and a whole lot of other years that I am not sure of what year.)

Re: pic: The Bobcats 2001 & 2003 & Admirers
 

you would be suprised at how much our arms weigh in at, in 2000 the arm only weighed about 22 lbs motors, and wires included i am not sure about this years arm, i would have to ask one of the kids ( i am just a crazy scout/strategy guy :p)

Re: pic: The Bobcats 2001 & 2003 & Admirers
 

Actually, and you can ask Joel this... we've been treating him very well!
http://www.team229.org/photo/single/2758
http://www.team229.org/photo/single/2756

Gotta keep the programmer happy. He's the man behind the machine.
The secret to our automode. Some teams have fancy sensors, we have Joel.

He told me over and over again to build a wood robot, but we just kept resisting. I think overall he's happy with the system we've got... well... he can't stop smiling about it. Right Joel? ;)

Also the website rocks.


Overall... Joel is just the man.
I dunno where we'd be without him.

Re: pic: The Bobcats 2001 & 2003 & Admirers
 

Hey, thanks. Yes, its true, life on 229 has been good. I'm usually surrounded by good people that create a positive environment in which I can work comfortably. No complaints. I miss my driving days, though, but I guess I had to let go sometime. RAGE '04, make me proud :). RAGE 04 + Division 04 would make me even more proud :D. Again, thanks for the compliments. Have a great season.