Re: Beatty's 2004 Robot
 

Is that carpeting from last year? I see marks that are look identical to the white tape that would have been torn off from the arced lines of last year. Very impressive field, ours is in a completely disassembled state and is (fairly) portable. This allows us to set up wherever we need to.

Re: Beatty's 2004 Robot
 

even if tape tracking is slow, from most line trackers I have seen (at BAE at least), it works. It only needs to get you there in 14sec. even if it takes you all autonomous mode to get there, as long as you release the ball, not many bots are programmed to track 5pt balls to collect after they fall so autonomous speed isnt that much of a factor, at least when you are going for the 10pt ball (when trying to defend the other alliances 10pt, or grabbing a goal, speed does count)

Re: Beatty's 2004 Robot
 

More field facts

The ball chute door is held magnetically and is released by the trigger balls which are sitting on very low force limit switches or by manual switch.

The field is also equipped with both left and right IR beacons.

The carpet is from last year.

Regards,

Mr. Bill

Re: Beatty's 2004 Robot
 

It now appears from Mr. Bill's comments that they have an IR tracking system. I wouldn't assume that, but I would expect nothing less from Hammond. Tomorrow we will know for sure! Whatever it is, I'm sure we would have never guessed it.

What Dr. Joe Sees....
 

We can debate the rightness of FIRST releasing photos before a robot competes until the cows come home. But I have seen little discussion of what is IN the photo.

For what it is worth, I am confident that I see another falling Beast. In fact, it looks to me like there practice robot is in the background actually shown in its fallen position.

Am I wrong? I don't think so.

Time will tell.

My parents are very old. It is only right that I go visit them often. I think I will go this weekend in fact. Oh and did I mention that they live near Chicago? As long as I am in the area, I suppose I should drop by the Welsh-Ryan Arena to see how the Beast is running. ;-)

Joe J.

Re: What Dr. Joe Sees....
 

Joe,
I think you are seeing the 71-2003 robot. I can distinctly see the PVC "flailer" sticking up on the side closest to the camera. Not a 2004 clone... ;)

I can't wait to get word back from Chicago.

In a spin on last year's offer...

I'm officially offering a 6-pack of Dew to whoever manages to first post some detailed pictures and/or a detailed description of the latest BEAST. Inquiring minds want to know...

edit: Dew deal is off... sorry folks. /edit

So... don't keep us all in suspense. :)

John

Re: Beatty's 2004 Robot
 

You know your team has dedicated students, parents, and mentors when...(insert Beatty's field picture here) :D

Excellent job with the field, I love the design on the middle platform. And I'm very impressed that you automatically activate the ball drop. To steal a quote from Dr Joe "Can we come over and play?"

I agree with John, the bot in the background is the BEAST from 2003.

If you want to know so bad, hop on a plane & come see it in person ;) If I have some time Thursday morning, I'll give you the scoop.

Re: Beatty's 2004 Robot
 

Cost of plane ticket to Chicago: $200+
Time spent traveling/in Chicago: 48+ hours

Cost of Dew: $2
Time spent on Computer gawking at Beatty Robot and watching webcasts: 8+ hours

Finding out what the 3 time national champion does from the comfort of your dorm room without wasting (too much) valuable studying time: Priceless

The best things in life are free, for everything else there's Chiefdelphi.



Though... I think I'm going to have to cancel the Dew offer.
I've already made a better deal... heh ;)

Re: Beatty's 2004 Robot
 

As others have said, the robot in the background is definitely the 2003 robot. You can see red, white, and blue stickers on two sides of it and I have never seen a practice robot with stickers on it before (then again this is Beatty).

As for this years robot, BEAST 2004, it looks as though it will not fall like the BEAST 2002. Look at the picture, three wheels are pointed to the bottom left corner in the picture, with the fourth wheel hidden. All four of these wheels are on the ground. If it did indeed fall, there are no wheels/walkers on the top of the robot to drive around with.

The other guarantee I am making is that they are using the exact same arm mechanism and technology from the BEAST 2001, the game with the bridge on the fulcrum. Look at the vertical PVC on the robot (not the PVC on either the mobile goal or stationary goal). Now, checkout their robot's picture from 2001: http://www.firstrobotics.net/01galle.../071-1_gif.htm. This robot's PVC arms look very similar to this year's arms. And, remember they are attempting to achieve the same task - pick up a 30" ball.

No more guarantees from me, but here is what I can deduce from the rest of the picture. They have pneumatics, look at the compressor mounted at the bottom left of the robot. Battery is mounted low to ground, look at the front and center of the robot - right next to the compressor.

I am completely baffled as to why the aluminum tubing for the frame is bent like it is on the left hand side. Also, there is a PVC piece that is horizontal at the top of the robot.

I guess I will make two predictions for Beatty 2004. First, they are not relying on hanging often or ever! I know this may be suprising and I am very likely wrong, but I think that this is a ball rolling machine.

Lots of you have been impressed with Team 33 and their ball rolling capabilities. I think that Beatty will be similar to this - they will go around and grab lots of little balls. The only difference between 33 and the Beast is that the best will be able to cap the goal to double those small balls. Beatty probably figures that they will be able to score enough balls to not have to worry about hanging. The reason I say that they are a ball rolling machine is because they have a real wide robot and their electronics are mounted vertically.

Well this is just what I have been thinking, but we will find out for sure in a few hours! Good luck to everyone at the Midwest Regional.

Re: Beatty's 2004 Robot
 

Their big ball grabber worked well in 2001, so thats coming back. Their small ball mechanism was partially decent in 2000, so it probably didn't make the final cut. However, they may have wings for corralling. 2003 technology has probably inspired the hanging mechanism. And they'll probably do it from off the platform. I don't know what they would use from their 2002 robot. That was quick and dirty. Now I'll go look at the thumbnail image of their robot..

[edit: with that much room in their robot, I hope they have a small ball mechanism :)]

Re: Beatty's 2004 Robot
 

I just have one thing to say about the Beatty Robot if 254 gets to play them in the Nationals.......


"Show me where they are!"

Re: Beatty's 2004 Robot
 

based on this qoute, i believe that they are going to control the multiplier balls. all three of them. this is the only strategy that i could think of that i haven't seen yet, but then again, i've only seen 4 regionals, and i'm not very creative when it comes to strat.

Re: Beatty's 2004 Robot
 

Thats what we were going to try and do (note that I am mentoring 1064 now and no longer am a part of 71)...we had a pretty decent design for it. But alas, time got the best of us, and with a lack of manpower and resources, the 2004 WildBeast has no doubler ball control anymore (but it will still be a force to contend with though, we hope!)

I hope someone out there can pull off this task...I know there are some that can control 2 of the balls, but all 3 is a sight to behold.

Kev

Re: Beatty's 2004 Robot
 

(190)^3 + 93 = ?

Re: Beatty's 2004 Robot
 

John,

I'm going to MIT next year, so I love numbers, but you have me completely stumped as to what this means! What in the world does this have to do with 71's bot? :D