Re: New for 2006: 3 FOOT FlAgS on ROBOTS!
 

Just wait until 2008 when they make our robots wear jerseys. :D
"Taking a page out of the sports playbook...." ;)

Re: New for 2006: 3 Foot Flags on Robots
 

Sorry Ryan but that would be out of the question too, Good Idea though.

Re: New for 2006: 3 FOOT FlAgS on ROBOTS!
 

The whole point of FIRST is learning to solve problems, although I don't see the flag being that big of a deal. I think it will help not only the people in the stands keep the alliances straight but also those watching via the telecast. The more exposure FIRST can receive will help all teams in the end. (More sponsors, mentors, ect.)

Re: New for 2006: 3 Foot Flags on Robots
 

If you are that worried about it, go to your local Wal-Mart and take a look at the actual flag you will be mounting. IIRC it's flexible, so blocking balls won't be a problem (You would have to line up a tiny pole with the ball anyway), and it's not big enough to block anyone's vision.

Just like the CMUcam, I think this will be with us for awhile.

Re: New for 2006: 3 FOOT FlAgS on ROBOTS!
 

The total weight of the LED (there is only one this year) and the flag holder is maybe 0.25 lbs, if that (I'm going from memory as I don't have my weight figures handy, but I think it's lower). The net decrease is insignificant.

Re: New for 2006: 3 Foot Flags on Robots
 

the flag could be a good thing.... you could use it to block balls coming out of a shooter

its still a lame piece to put on a robot

Re: New for 2006: 3 Foot Flags on Robots
 

Why? It's nothing but good! It improves visibilty (+), it could possibly block balls (+), and it is, with the LED's, an improved solution to the old style revolving light. (+).

I understand that you think it will make our "Beloved Creations" look like toddler's bicycles, but, it will not. It's barely noticeable by the audience, and it's wonderful for the drivers. If your robot looks lame (like a toddler's bicycle), it probably looked pretty lame without the flag. (By the way, our's is definently going to be on of the lame looking ones. It never fails! :D )

Re: New for 2006: 3 Foot Flags on Robots
 

I like the flag idea. It'll be a lot easier to figure out what robot is on which team. Especially if you start viewing a match in the middle of the round after everyone has already moved.

Re: New for 2006: 3 Foot Flags on Robots
 

If this is true (which it isn't), there would be absolutely no point to having the flags.

Re: New for 2006: 3 Foot Flags on Robots
 

I personally go both ways on the flag.
For one, I like the fact that it will make it much easier to tell which team is on which alliance. Kudos FIRST.
On the other hand, I feel that once again, we are facing a feature that makes things more difficult for the game. Might I remind (for those who were around) you, why the rotating light was (well one of the reasons) scrapped after 2003. The problem was that many teams attempted to pass under the 14" bars on the side of the field, yet also had to find a spot for a 6-ish inch light within that structure. (You may recall the "lights must be mounted upright" rule...) Lights busted. The judges were confused. Teams were frustrated.
Personally, (and I say this with emphasis) on my team, these flags will probably cause a fair amount of disruption in our design. Namely, it gives a distraction or (worst case) block for the CMUcam, (if it happens to be facing the flagpole area at the time......) and also runs the potential of being in the way of our launcher....

I do acknowledge this as part of the design challenge, but I think we could've been given something a little easier to work with that would give us the ability to avoid putting it on our robot in a way that automatically interferes with its operations. Just my $0.02

Re: New for 2006: 3 Foot Flags on Robots
 

Well, I guess I should have said "Not large and obtrusive to the audience". I'm not so sure. If the majority of the audience (those not on a team) sits 15 or more rows up, since most of the lower seats are taken up by teams, I don't think they will be *that* visible. Or maybe not. The point is, the biggest reward of having the flags is so that TEAMS and REFS can see whos who. But the audience should know as well.

Re: New for 2006: 3 Foot Flags on Robots
 

Speaking from experience, as both a driver and a referee, the people on the field don't have an issue with identifying robots. Drive teams should be able to distinguish between partners and opposing alliances without any light/flag etc. It's fairly safe to say that this rule is intended to make it easier for the audience to identify robots, as the lights were hard/impossible to distinguish from long distance.

Re: New for 2006: 3 Foot Flags on Robots
 

The flags are definately something that is going to be on people's minds as we get closer to ship dates, because i'm pretty sure their building the flag around the robot, not the robot around the flag (If it sounds wierd, than I'm sorry).

Re: New for 2006: 3 Foot Flags on Robots
 

The thing I see in the rule is that it sound like you can't mount it to your turret, and this thing has to be on the highest part of your robot. So there will be a portion of time your shooter cant shoot because the ball will hit the flag.

Re: New for 2006: 3 Foot Flags on Robots
 

I doubt that. Most likely you should just build a post taller than the shooter and put it on there.