GLR Update 2004
 

So for those of you who weren't at the Great Lakes Regional's first day today (Thursday), it started and it's looking pretty good! Though at the beginning of the day, many of the teams were just sending human players and there were some "technical glitches," by the end of the day, the regional was heating up.

Near the end, there were multiple hanging teams, as well as a few very good multiplier ball grabbers. Near the end, there was some sweet matches and we had some really great looking teams. If anyone who was there wants to single out any teams, please feel free. A couple of my favorites were:

1241 (pretty sure thats the right number): Looks absolutely awesome! With their laundry basket-like ball grabber, great ball slide and their big ball grabber, this bot is one that is making everyone take notice

406: Gotta give credit to a team that built such an awesome robot in less than 3 weeks! Plus they're our sister team, but their hang in their last match was awesome, and they showed that they're ready to be a true competitor during tomarrow's matches!

Anyone else have opinions??????

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

How's Wildstang's (111) robot operating. After watching their incredible teaser video, I'm incredibly curious as to how they're doing in actual competition.

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

Wildstang did really great! My favorite part of their robot was at the end of their (I believe) last match, when they went and hung. Seriously, when they hang, they don't lift their robot, but rather attatch to the bar and lift their wheels off the platform. It's something you really hafta see in person.

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

That is a great idea! It eliminates the need for a tremendous amount of lifting power and it allows for a lighter arm design. We also attach first and then lift from the bottom with a pneumatic piston, but the entire robot, frame and wheels, comes off the ground. While this still requires lots of force, it allows the arm to be very light, since it only has to support tension. Plus, there is no winch or chain system to worry about. I'd like to see Wildstang in action...I would have never thought to lift just the wheels!

Edit: Now that I think about it...you still need a considerable amount of force because the wheels have to support the rest of the robot anyway. Still an amazing design though. I've gotta see it.

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

Not quite that much. We managed to implement a similar system this year because it is much easier then extra motors, etc, and it gets you up the ramp too.

How about 45? Does their robot do it all?

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

Ya! How about 45?! I tried talking to DJ last night on his mobile AIM account, but he wasn't too talkative. He said things are going well, and they did a lot of autonomous mode tweaking on practice day (I guess).

If someone could check em out for me (and the rest of CD) I would greatly appreciate it. :D

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

one major plus for this weekend so far...there have been a lot less penalty flags (that i have seen) than were described at other regionals. Things seem to be headed up.

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

Yeah, I know. I was getting bored there for a while cuz I didn't throw any flags for like 7 or 8 matches in a row.

Keep up the good work teams! I've seen a lot of great looking robots out there. Tomorrow's Elims are going to be great!

I think one of the truely great things I've seen today is one second year team. After the practice rounds yesterday, and a few rounds today, I had written them out of the Elim run. But somehow, they managed to pull off a few good rounds at the end, and now I think they're one of the better 2X Ball handlers out there.
Moral of the story: Don't count your Chickens before they're hatched.

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

So does anyone have the rankings? I'm hearing rumors that 45 might be seeded 1st right now.........

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

well,i know wildstangs (111) are 1, and dana's team (279) is 3rd. we were third till our last round today, so know we're 10 (1023) thts all i know really!

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

Team 1241 is in second place. They catch the balls as they fall and have done so every time. Great human player. I also know that 292 is in 7th and 111 is in 1st. I don't remember the rest of the seedings.

Other random observations:
-Truck Town Thunder (68) hasn't been so hot, but have had a few unlucky breaks. Good machine, though.
-HOT (67) has a good arm...or good drivers, I'm not sure.
-Technokats (45) spent a lot of time in low gear, when the drivers get used to the machine, they'll be very good. Their ball catching net is off because nobody has been able to trigger the ball drop autonomously. I saw them hang once...or at least they were off the ground, I didn't get the official ruling about the vertical bar removal thing.
-Autonomous has been pretty much nonexistent, the 10 pt. balls have only been triggered a few times (less than 5)
-Wildstang (111) has swerve in the front, omniwheels in the back. They have very good big ball handling, but I did not see them hang. They were blocked from going up the step rather easily.
-Rush (27) and the Martians (494) have dropped the big ball a lot. Rush is very good at hanging.
-Las Gueriallas (469) pick up balls and have a big arm on the back. Their numbers are written with electrical tape :D
-LOTS OF ARMS! There were only about 5-10 robots that could pick up balls, but with varrying success.

I was surprised, I thought the game would be played more aggressively than it was in Virginia, knowing teams like Truck Town and the Martians were there, but it is very much the same. There were a lot of low scoring matches. I think the high score is 130.

If anyone has any specific questions, I'll see what I can do to answer them. These observations are just what I can think of right now.

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

-Team 1214's Human player is ON FIRE (near 95% accurate). Must be because he gets a lot of practice from all of the balls they get fed.

-I thought Team 45 was pulling their punches! ;)
Technokats weren't hung, because they were leaning against the side of the platform. You need to be totally higher than the platform (and not touching it) to score.

-The vertical bar rule is if you are leaning on the vertical bar as so if the v-bar wasn't there, you would swing down to touch the platform, then you don't get the points.

-Ford's TNT was the only robot I saw hit the 10 pt ball semi-consistantly

-No goaltending penalties yet - that's surprising. LOTS OF False Start (crossing 3' line during auto) and encroachment (robot enters ball corral) penalties though. Penalties have been deciding factors in around 10 or more matches. Also, only ONE replay match so far (it was a ball-dump malfunction)

-I think the highest score was 125 so far.

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

Ohh, one more thing....The DJ....Puts that rave thing they had going on at VCU to shame. Awesome job!

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

I think the following might be the rankings after day 1:

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

Where are you getting the rankings from?

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

Well, for my first FIRST experience it was pretty cool. I'm kinda disappointed that our programmers finished the motor code for the arm on our robot(team 1010). I tell you, all the mentors do is argue argue argue, and do things their own way. I told off one of them, but he didnt care like usual. Anywayz, for those that don't remember 1010, lemme try and put a picture in your head. We where the ones that had the big ball sucker in front, with the blackhawks white board on the top...or the one that could make it to the ball, but didnt have anything to knock it off with(again, finished that at the end). But aside from that their where some great teams there. My favorite has to be hot, just becuase they tore the field apart, including those in it(1241).

well for those of you attending missassaga(however you spell it) see ya there.

-mitch-team 1010-

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

who won GLR?

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

According to someone else's signature, 2004 Great Lakes Regional Champions: 66 (FLYERS), Team 322 (FIRE) and Team 279 (Fusion).

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

I'll confirm that as a fact and would like to congratulate those winners. The game was truly played well and you are all incredible teams.

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

That is exactly correct!

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

congratulations team rush on winning the chairman's award at GLR!

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

yes... congratulations on winning the chairmans's award team 27. you absolutely deserved it!!!

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

Congrats to all the winners, and to 1241...they had a really good showing for a rookie team!

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

I just wanted to say congrats to team 470 on winning the Engineering Inspiration Award. Our team works with 470 every year at a local festival and its always one of my favorite events. I've seen the way their team works together and their commitment to the community. They truly deserved this award.

Also, I loved your bot. It was definetly one of the more interesting ones to watch. Can't wait to see it again at heritage festival. May the power of the fuzzy be with you!

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

Thanks, Mike!!!!!! Congrats to Team 66, too!! You guys did Ypsi proud!!!! Best of luck to your team at Nationals!! Hopefully the Power of the Fuzzy can carry you to another National Championship!! :D

Is there any information beyond winners?
 

Can anyone post any more info on GLR?, like finalists and, better yet, all 8 alliances in the elimination rounds. Thanks.

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

1st Seed Eliminated in QF1
111
27
461

2nd Seed- Winners
66
279
322

3rd-6th I cant remember, someone can fill in the rest

7th Seed- Eliminated in QF 3
45
1250
57

8th ?

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

The 8th Alliance was us 894, 240, 1023 (which proudly and surprisingly knocked out alliance 1) as for 3 I think it was Frog Force, Martians and TNT and I dont remember the rest.

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

I was extremely surprised that 111 was knocked out in the QF's. Both of the matches were very close and could have been won if 111 would have hung quicker. I blame Mike Martus and myself for jinxing it ;)

Good job 894, 240, & 1023, as well as all of the teams at GLR.

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

Alliance 6 was teams 67, 1188 and BOB (sorry I forgot your number!)

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

Correction for alliance 2...we were
66
279
322

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

Team 85 is Built on Brains. We were defeated in the Quarter finals by an alliance including our neighbors Team 141 the Wobots. Sorry, I don't have more details. Some very good work by all teams.

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

Alliance 1: 111, 27, 461
Alliance 2: 66, 279, 322 (Congrats!)
Alliance 3: 292, 302, 141
Alliance 4: 1241, 451, 830
Alliance 5: 280, 494,503
Alliance 6: 85, 67, 1188
Alliance 7: 45, 1250, 57
Alliance 8: 894, 240, 1023

Beating the Basket-bot
 

The Canadian team 1241's "Basket-bot" started out as an amazing piece of work. All it did was station itself under the overhead bin and open up the top to capture all the falling balls, then drive over and open the side to release them into the ball chute. A small arm could move the multiplier balls to cap the large goal. It was consistent. It was elegant.

It was vulnerable.

It took other teams a day or so to decide on a good strategy to counter it. Blocking the ball chutes was very effective against a robot lacking the ability to pull them away. But I think one of the best plays of the competition was when an opposing team capped 1241's robot before the balls dropped. Everyone near me seemed to respond with a mixture of admiration and sympathy.

I guess the lesson is that doing one thing, and doing it well, isn't going to work forever.

Re: Beating the Basket-bot
 

Is that against the rules? I don't remember hearing anything about capping robots, but I could be wrong... :)

Re: Beating the Basket-bot
 

Nope. Not against any rule. You show me the rule that says you're not allowed to cap robots. ;)
The team even came up to Ron Webb (head ref) on Friday and he told them that they could. [Thus I was probably 1 out of the dozen people who weren't surprised when it happened].

Re: Beating the Basket-bot
 

I guess I'd just like to make a few things clear. While there's a couple of posts that are running around here talking about some disheartening things that occured at the Great Lakes Regional, I'd like to make a few other much more important comments.

The main comment is that this was a FANTASTIC event!! I can't emphasize enough that this was one of the fiercest regional events that I've ever attended, but nevertheless, the people were really friendly and helpful when needed. The annoucing and play-by-play calling by Dave and Paul brought a ton of energy and fun into the competition.

The quality of the teams was simply immense. Tons of teams with Woodie Flowers Award winners were present. Many previous national champions were present and performing as their reputation would imply. I was VERY impressed.

If you're at all interested in bringing your team to the "next level" of competition, I'd strongly suggest you come and play at the Great Lakes regional... as has been discussed before, its competitive reputation is among the best in the country, and for good reason. It was really a pleasure to play among so many competitive, helpful, and fun teams!

Thank you!

Matt

Re: Beating the Basket-bot
 

Hey all,

There is only one word to describe how great our first ever regional at ypsilanti was... AMAZING! Our whole rookie team owe our enjoyment and success to all other teams who participated at GLR... All our alliances helped us a lot and all our opposing alliances made us think.

I believe it was team HOT who capped our own robot with the mutliplier ball and that move left us stunned... we never saw that coming and I'd just like to say that it was an amazing move. good job HOT

I'd also like to congratulate the winners of GLR team 66, 279 and 322... you guys were great. I feel proud to know some of the members from those teams.

once again I'd like to thank all the teams at GLR which made our first regional in our rookie year great... our team had and will continue having a wonderful time in the upcoming regionals and championship!

Re: Beating the Basket-bot
 

1241 Capped this is only them driving around with the capped robot. I didnt have my camera rolling when it actually happened.

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

I'm not sure, but I'm checking with one of our kids to see if we have the footage from that match.

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

it was a good move on the part of the other team, but i can't say that i was all to surprised when it happened, it was something that just looked like it was waiting to happen.

Re: Beating the Basket-bot
 

yes thats our robot when it got capped...looks a lot different from your angle...more detail haha. But yea that was a splendid move by team HOT. Our driver tried to bounce the multiplier ball out of the net but unfortunately it was held down by the 5 point balls. Team TNT also blocked our ball chutes with the mobile goals making it impossible for our robot to score in any way. Good job team HOT and TNT.

From where I was sitting...
 

I was a judge at the Great Lakes Regional. My team was not at the competition. In short, I had nothing at stake other than I wanted (and was literally praying for) an exciting competition.

I am telling you right now, I have NEVER been to a more exciting FIRST Elimination tournament. Every round of the tournament was VERY exciting.

It was wonderful.

FIRST has got a winner in this game -- now let's get the media to see it. After many years of wandering in the desert, we finally have a product that will sell itself once they see it.

Bring on the Media, we are ready to start converting the culture wholesale!

Joe J.

Re: From where I was sitting...
 

I was in shock when our robot got capped. for real though. i thought they were gonna cap our thing again... so we cant get any points. but when they capped our bot.. i was in AWE! it was a nice move though

my time at GLR was sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo FUN. i loved it so much. i seriously did.. it was amazing

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

Dr. Joe,

I couldn't agree with you more! This game is awesome and easy to explain: Lot of little balls in the goals are good, big yellow ball on top is better, and hanging is great!

I must say that the competiveness of the regional was not like the Great Lakes Regional in the past. I am not in anyway trying to take away from 66, 322, or 279 great victory. But, GLR is normally just an extremely difficult, hard regional with 60+ great teams, past national title winners, chairman award winners and etc. Unfortunately, GLR was the first regional in the Great Lakes Region and lots of teams were still tweaking their bots. As I stated before the season, the Midwest Regional will be the most competitive in the nation. Nonetheless, GLR was still an awesome experience and the competiveness was really high - just not as high as I usually expect. Congrats to 322, 66, and 279 on a great win. Also, 1241 is THE best rookie robot that FIRST has EVER seen in my opinion.... heck they won 3 awards in just one regional! So, congrats to the new Canadian team!

I am looking forward to seeing the competiveness at the Midwest Regional and of course the Beatty factor. Good luck to all this season from Team 302!

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

Thank you and cutiebethy and zitz2k and the rest who commented on our robot.. its very nice of you :)

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

I disagree. The teams were the same great teams. I believe that the "problem" if anything was that this game is REALLY HARD. Beyond that, this game is hard on robots. All those time outs were not to let motors cool down -- climbing stairs and hanging from 10 foot high bars beats your robot up!



I concur. This team "gets it."

They came out out of the chute like gangbusters. Look for great things from this team later this season and in future years.

Joe J.

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

i would like to pose an interesting possibility. Imagine 1241 and their autonomous action...the positioning under the abll drop and the opening of their net. Than imagine team 33 (The killer bees from Auburn Hills). They have an extremely effective hopper, and also a well functioning autonomous during which they can knock off both multipliers. Imagine these two teams together. Out goes the 1241 net, down come the balls (during autonomous pof course) and 33 heads to the other side of the field. As soon as human control strats they begin sucking up balls. By the time they have finished with the balls from their opponents ball drop 1241 has dumped their load and uncapped the mobil goal. 33 dumps their balls and (since the stationary is of course being filled by 1241's AWESOME human player) begins pumping balls into the mobil goal. 1241 proceeds to cap the stationary and leaves the full mobil goal uncapped. Amazing isnt it? The only way to stop this alliance would be to know exactly what side of the field each robot would start, and then have an autonomous mode that could move BOTH before they completed their functions. Remember the time for the unfold is about 3 secons, and 33 takes 5-6 to knock off the tee balls. Any thoughts?

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

that would be very interesting indeed. if it would work.. that would be soooo cool

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

hey 1241 =D. we are looking extremely forward to seeing your robot at CR. Based on what i have read here, it looks to be superb!

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

Good, yes. Best ever...?, ehhhh. But then again I have my biases (refer to signature). And the rookie inspiration and highest rookie seed wasn't formed this year again for no reason.

I alway like to see a new team performing well. Congratulations and I can't wait to see all the winners and teams from GLR. You always produce some amazing machines.

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

All I can say is we're going to the canadian regional, maybe we'll be in the same division... ;) Can you say small ball monopoly?

...And we're not buzz, we're the Killer Bees!


Oh, and we're hoping to get our Autonomous mode down to ~2-3 seconds, we just need to debug our gyro so the robot doesn't hit the wall before it hits the balls.

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

now THAT would be interesting. We will probably have to do some modifications as well but wouldn't it be "nice" to be in an alliance together :)
But we as a team learnt our lesson that sticking to one strategy will never go unnoticed for a long time, so I'll just wish you all the best, team 33 and hope we will be your alliance partner in atleast one of the games at the CR.

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

On behalf of Theory6, I thank all participating teams for receiving us with generosity and respect. Congratulations to teams 66, 279, and 322 for a well-deserved win, and to every team for making the Great Lakes Regional a memorable event. The Hot Team and TNT exhibited their experience and caught us unawares with clever strategies. Cheers to them! :D

GLR has been an unparalleled experience for my team, and great preparation for future competitions. It's been an honor.

On a fresh note, I should like to know how Team 279's mascot has such inexhaustible enthusiasm. When I meet him in the afterlife, I mean to ask him. :cool:

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

Thanks to everyone at the GLR for making our time there a total Blast and taking notice of us!

Fantastic Regional
 

It's been a while since I've been to GLR. I've heard that the later regionals like WMR have often been more exciting than Great Lakes, but it will be very hard for any regional to beat this event. The matches were extremely close and exciting, the event ran smoothly, and gracious professionalism was everywhere.

Yes, some of the usual veterans were missing (33, 47, 64, 288, etc), but the half dozen or so rookies really stepped up to the plate. Not only 1241, but teams like 1250, whose performance on the field and in the pit could serve as a fine example for any team. Another rookie of note is 1254 whom we helped encourage and start as a team - they did West Michigan proud by staying ahead of us in the rankings for most of the qualifying rounds.

Re: Fantastic Regional
 

It was great to see a rookie team(1241) do so well, there's serious untaped potential in that bot for one with a working(ball dropping) auto mode. And to your human player, greaaaat shooting. Better luck next year, hopefully you will be coming back.

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

I would try to cap there goal and bury that yellow ball 2 foot into the PVC. I think this would limit the damage. One team might also pound the big ball into the mobile goal also. My thoughs.

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

I would think that such a ball dependent strategy would still be vulnerable to the mobile goal blocking strategy. Two hanger bots that can move the mobile goals across the field in autonomous mode and then move them in front of the players stations would seriously hurt this alliance. The bots would have to guard the goals the entire round to keep 33 from moving them, so it would come down to whether the two bots can hang quick, and if 33 an 1241 could score 100 points fast enough to counter. It'd still be an exciting, close game instead of a blowout.

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

imagine if 1241 could hang

50 hanging points
x2 with the capped ball
100 points!!!

lol

(if only it worked that way :rolleyes: )

Re: GLR Update 2004
 

lol