Re: 2006 NASA/VCU Regional!
 

My understanding is this...
FIRST is not requiring every robot be tested for violation of the muzzle velocity rule. On a case by case basis robots will be checked. It is done by positioning a robot at a predetermined distance from the goal. Then they will be asked to use their shooter to aim and score a ball into the center goal. The goal software has the capability of measuring the speed of the ball.

I am not a fan of FIRST's position on this because it's an important safety requirement that should be checked on every robot. I suspect a team that may be violating this rule probably doesn't even know it. By not creating a non-objective approach to testing the rule each individual regional will probably enforce the rule a different way. FIRST's method of enforcement wastes precious field time. I have on good word from the head inspector at the Boston regional teams should anticipate being checked by police style radar gun as a part of the inspection process.

Re: 2006 NASA/VCU Regional!
 

Love that truck! :D

Re: 2006 NASA/VCU Regional!
 

Are you positive about this? My understanding was that the only sensors in the goal are in the exit tube that goes down to the drivers. If that's the case, then I don't understand how this could measure muzzle velocity.

Re: 2006 NASA/VCU Regional!
 

Are you aware that Doppler radar will catch the ball spin. Close range means narrow beam width. If it reflects off the top of an over-spinning ball, it will add the rotation to the translation.

They should do it the way "Myth Busters" does. High speed cameras against a patterned background is the best way. Even 60 FPS would be more reliable than radar at close range.

Re: 2006 NASA/VCU Regional!
 

My information comes second hand from someone who listened to the FIRST conference calls last week. I am 90% confident that information is correct.

Re: 2006 NASA/VCU Regional!
 

any standings and such for VCU?

Re: VCU Real media is working
 

Anyone else noticing an alarming frequency of tipping so far?

Re: VCU Real media is working
 

yup, i noticed that too. Someone's battery came off in one of the matches thanks to the ramp, I think the real "wedge" in this game is that ramp

435 is doing pretty good, havn't seen 222 yet. but hopefully tommorrow.

Hey is the VCU the ONLY webcast this week

And if you look on the NASA TV Listings it says that the Arizona Regional will be held on Sat Mar. 11, 2006 at 9AM EST. can anyone explain this to me because ilast time i checked, Arizona is Pacif Standard Time, therefore, wouldn't that really mean 12PM, or are they gona show some of the Florida Regional because they are also webcasting that.


Wouldn't it be awsome if NASA TV came in HD

Re: VCU Real media is working
 

I think that's just inherent in the game design. With so much contact and defense going on, plus the ramp, teams are bound to tip. Obviously, top-heavy robots are more in danger, but even the lower COG robots are jumping a little. It makes for some interesting matches though!

Re: VCU Real media is working
 

Do we get the award ceromonies for today on the webcast?

Re: VCU Real media is working
 

yes the webcast will continue until after the award ceremony.

Re: VCU Real media is working
 

Its been brought to my attention that every robot that tries to help another robot up the ramp, gets them up but tips themselves.

And some of the robots with casters are losing control going caster side first

any thoughts?

Re: VCU Real media is working
 

Alan, any chance you can get the background music attenuated??

KA-108 :cool:

Re: VCU Real media is working
 

i too have noticed that. also i see some robots that seem to be one side heavy and start to go up the side that is not so heavy.

Re: VCU Real media is working
 

Yes. I know it is just Week 1 and it is only Friday, but I have to call 'em as I see 'em, the matches I've seen (say 10-20 throughout the day) are not as exciting as I had hoped for.

Other thoughts:

• Surprisingly low scoring.

• I was very surprised at how few teams can negotiate the ramp effectively (I would estimate less than 1 in 5 is able to do it reliably, 1 in 10 able to do it against the will of a defender)

• I like that some teams are scoring in auton -- not as many as we'd like, but it is happening (and mostly in the low goal -- some the far low goal which is cool, some nice bowlers)

• The field problems are troubling

• It is hard to know without being there, but it seems like penalties are being assigned after the match (not live). I hope that I am wrong on that count.

• I think we've had an increase in the number of robots that spend the match running in a circle due to one or other set of drive wheels dying. I thought we had licked that last year with the kitbot chassis, but teams seem to have forgotten whatever they learned last year.

• There are a lot of effective low goal scorers -- that is nice to see. Sometimes MASSIVE ball dumps are going on. Nice Job!

• The flags aren't working for me. I would rather go back to the beacons -- I was never one who was opposed to them though like so many so I am clearly biased.

• There are some pretty nice shooters out there. I am impressed with a few in particular -- a team in the 1600's (1610?) and 222 come to mind. The shooters are not being left alone to shoot, so they are not making a lot yet, but I think that they will get faster at aiming and teams will learn to protect their 3 pt shooters with picks as the season progresses. Kudos to 222 who can shoot effectively on the ramp -- with so few ramp climbers, they are freer to shoot unhindered.

• The whistle that marks the periods is sort of bush league. The field PA should make the sound, shouldn't it?

• The Low Goal scoring system is pretty cool and seems like it works fine -- some sort of back lit ramp with a vision system I think from the few shots that the web cam gave. Nicely done.

• I am having to get used to the periods. It may be just a web cast thing but it is hard/impossible to keep track of who is on offense or defense. The fact that the ramp and the goals are of opposite color is confusing me but I think I will get used to this.

Finally, I am sorry that the notes are generally negative. I wish I could be more positive. Hopefully robots and drivers and autonomous and strategies will improve as the regionals continue.

Joe J.