Re: Next Years Game?
 

Somebody that had gone to the pneumatics confrence thing in atlanta had told me there was this sucking thing (that could be used for this years 2x balls) that they would include in the kit next year. Its a small clue, so it may involve balls or somthing.

Re: Next Years Game?
 

I like this idea...maybe it's just me, but having robots stay on one side of the field gets boring real quick. The more robots that are mixing-it-up (in the FIRST mentality of the phrase) on the field, the better. And going to get the other alliance's balls to get more points is an easy way to facilitate that. And you'd know whether or not your side's ball dump had enough balls. Archimedes had fun with that this year.

Re: Autonomous Mode at the End of Matches
 

Ok Ok

Better yet

We have seen in the past 2 years now that Autonomous has been used by the best of the best and the rookie teams that you would never expect to see auton mode. We have also seen that this period of time wasted by sitting in the "end zone" in the beginning of the match. So:

I formally edit my idea after reading some posts. Teams should not have to be forced to use auton mode to score. Why not make it optional via the E-Stop. Now a few ideas play out to this

1) A team may choose to use auton mode if they wish for 15s. after the 15s. that team may not use auton mode till there next match. there partner for that match may also use auton but must wait till there inital partner is finished. that way less robot collision. Rule applies to the Opponents as well

so Each team has a chance to use auton once during a match. but they do not have to use it if they don't want to. 25pts. goes to the team who used their auton mode. any points they earned during that period is added to the final score or is scored all togther

2) Alliances may only use there Auton mode only if the E-Stop is depressed. Both stops must be depressed in order for auton mode to work. once again use it or lose it. 15seconds this mode will last for

3) Have no auto mode and give all the teams 1 year of trainging in how to program auto mode using c++ via small work shops

Pressing the E-stop twice will disable the robot (almost like a momentary switch so be-careful)

As for playing surface. FIRST could change the surface but I highly doubt it. Alot of this years and previous years robots have torn the carpet. and thats probably why some wanna see it change but to change it so that teams can build around it will have its ups and downs like expenses on both sides, FIRST for getting the surface, and teams to try and make a drive train for that surface. The carpet which has been a annual tradition will be hear to stay. If it gets torn Duck tape will piece it together.

I still stick with some sort of scoring object being hung from the top of the field. Its point value could be large or small. (large would be nice) that scoring object with such value could be a match decider for either side. Almost like in wrestling. Sombody goes to the top of the ladder for the belt wins the title for him and his partner or just himself. same idea here. A Team who can reach up and get that Large amount of points could either help his score or the alliances score. Almost like in 2001 where if Red cabbed the goal with the Red ball they he would have gotten an excess of X amount of points above the tieing 3 teams. It would be persay "Diabolical"

There is one and only one of these objects so this would call for plenty fighting for it. (ROBUSTNESS is the key)

Re: Next Years Game?
 

I want to defend the idea of end of match auto mode.

Often where a robot is at the end determines part of the score.
On the ramp, hanging, on a puck, whatever.

So the LAST 15 seconds are Auto. No auto code? get to the scoring zone early.Disadvantage to a team that has no auto? Yep. Just like in this years and last years game (Or are we talking about "this years" game since the rookies are no longer rookies) I like the reflective tape with Banner sensors. Easy to see and head towards.

I also like the previous idea of a verticle bar. Highest on the bar gets more points. I see a sneaky auto mode that detects if a robot is above them and then shifts to go higher. All you would need is an arm/hand. I don't see having the whole robot suspended from the bar, just placement on teh bar.

I really liked this years game. It evolved all day long. I hope they can find a similar way to do it next year. But I also liked 4 v 0 so what do I know.

Re: Next Years Game?
 

There are two things I'd really like to see return from previous games:

1) A loose field surface, ala 1992. While corn would probably be too small, something like gravel might work (although they would need to build solid sides to the field to keep the mess down). What about randomly scattered bits of wood and metal? I'm a bit tired of solid, flat surfaces.

2) "Live" scoring, like (I believe) 1995. Most FIRST games were not scored officially until the match is over, because another robot could undo whatever had been done, but almost every other sport has non-reversable ways to score. Awarding 10 points every time you get a ball though a hoop, push an object into a goal, or hit a target would make FIRST more like a sport and less like a giant board game. We could even have a giant robotic pinball!