pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

Introducing Team 1114's 2007 robot, Simbot Prime. We've abandoned treads, and gone back to the 6 wheel, with an improved version of our 2005 drive. This is by far the best drivetrain we've ever had. We're set to make our debut this weekend at the Great Lakes Regional.

And yes, we're the only team with this robot. No twins, triplets, quadruplets, or quintuplets this year.

It's Primetime...

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

Why Karthik, what ever does it do????

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

Lots of things. ;)

Seriously, it's more fun to let people try and figure it out.

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

There appears to be a large spring cocked attached to the arm on the left side. Would that be considered stored energy?

Interesting robot...

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

Finally!! I've been waiting for this one :yikes:

This is what I see:
- sick 6-wheel set up
- the manipulator is that small piece of tread at the front, with a little red hook powered by a window motor.
- then I think the manipulator probably has another degree of movement.
- elevator system that can probably reach all three levels.
- then a ramp on the back, I can't really tell if it can hold one or two bots. But knowing 1114 I wouldn't be surprised if it held two.

Looks great guys :eek:! See ya in Waterloo.

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

Interesting. To be honest I am suprised that you have a ramp, I just assumed you'd put all your effort into an amazing arm/drivetrain and climb others... but then again when you can do all three, well why not? I am very interested as to how that manipulator works. Good Luck at GLR.

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

I got to drive this robot (well, not the one pictured; the practice robot) around for a few minutes yesterday, and I wholeheartedly agree. The drivetrain is sweeeeet.

Good luck, and we'll be seeing you at GLR!

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

Here's a shot in the dark:

The platform/ramp system works like this. During the end game, if 1114 is the "climbee" for the match, they open their stuff. This "stuff" includes a large ramp which includes the chassis of their robot. once two robots are up onto the apropriate part of said "stuff" they lift the front of the robot 13" (just to be safe, so that the ramp (angled like --> \ ) will end up as a platform ( angled like --> -- .

Am i right?:D :D

Karthik, your robot is cool, but what with the wiring???? Just kidding, im glad to see it now before im on the other side of the field from it.

Best of luck.

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

I love this robot, and from what I can tell, and from what I've heard it's manipulator is amazing. But my Question is this. Whos coaching this beast? Karthik, are you still taking on strategy and such on the sidelines, or are you going to jump back in the box? I just know that I can't wait to see video of this beast in action.

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

hmm... no comment. =)

No maybe I have one comment. Get ready to drop your jaw when you see Prime in action in person.

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

I think its going to transform like optimus prime. well from the looks of it the ramp part once it deployed it will self expand via the use of the surgical tubing. I would guess that the arm can rotate 90 degrees so that it is parallel to the ground and that piece that looks like a "H" will follow it down to protect it, thats why it has two legs in the middle which look to be like 12" + long. In the picture I think the "H" is missing the platform for the first robot to drive on. The second robot will be stop above the drive train and is raised by a pneumatic cylinder.

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

Optimus Prime would have kicked this thing's butt! :D :cool:

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

Could we get any more info on the drivetrain? closeup pics?

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

There was a thread during the offseason showing their prototype 6wd chassis. I believe it's very similar to this, with some modifications (direct drive on the center wheel, etc).

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

hmm.....i think I am starting to put this together

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

...but where is the flag holder? ;)

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

That was what I was wondering. :P

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

Good catch, but it is there, just hidden. And yes, it does stay (approximately) vertical THROUGHOUT the match...I'll let you figure out how that works (it's non-trivial, and took way more work than it should have).

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

I bet you have it spring loaded so tat its kept up at all times and when you flaps go done the tension releases it to aim straigt up.:D

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

Is this used to scoop pop corn from the popcorn machine?:p

Yet again, nice job. Another impressive robot.

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

When you see how the flag holder works and where they placed it, you will be :ahh:

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

Is it mounted on a pivot on top of your manipulator with a weighted bottom so it stays near vertical by balancing?

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

I will be coaching again this year. I can't wait, this game is going to be a fun one to coach!

So far Vince is the closest. We'll see if Simbot Prime works the way it's supposed this weekend (AKA Primetime)

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

This is a massive understatement. Too many man hours went into that ridiculous flag holder. As much angst as I developed for the darn thing, I must say, it's pretty cool.

Nope, I won't be coaching this year. When you have a coach who's won 4 of the 5 regionals he's coached in (Derek Bessette), you don't make a change. Now, if we could only get Derek to stay awake in the box.

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

I know Derek is a great coach, but I'm starting to think that this is the real reason 1114 doesn't want Karthik coaching, I mean, his singing is bad enough! :p

In all seriousness, from what I have seen, this is going to be one real competitive and successful robot. I wish you all the best, and Karthik, I expect updates through out the weekend.

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

I've seen this bot (the practice bot), all I can say is best drive train yet. Can't wait to see it in action at GLR, it truly will be 'Primetime'

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

Hopefully the "Random" seeding matches will have us together for all the matches...

Looks great!

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

No such luck Don! Not if my predictions hold up.
But I do see one heck of a rivalry developing between 469 & 453 :eek:

http://www.grovesrobotics.org/GLRmatchlist.xls

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

How did you come up with your predictions?

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

I believe he used past data from previous regionals last week and correlated with the teams that were going to be at GLR, and I guess the glitch that everyone is aware of is actually connsistent so you can estimate what teams you would be with or against.:confused:

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

lol! I love it! If they don't change it. That list should be right. :)

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

As thrilling as this match schedule postulate is, this thread is about 1114.

two days until Primetime.(so you call it) Maybe Primetime and Showstopper (my team's bot, unofficially named showstopper)will end up on the same side of the field. Karthik, expect a visit from myself and Karthik

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

Any chance of getting a pushing match going between us again this year? If not at Great Lakes perhaps Waterloo? After being a ref in St. Louis and having to rotate the spider legs, I would dare say that we have enough power to at least push it around a bit... :D See you guys Wednesday night/Thursday morning!

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

As a designer and fabricator of a somewhat complicated flag holder (compared to last year's zip tied one), I'm intrigued to see what your robot is bringing to the table.

flag holders + self-righting mechanisms = crazy delicious.

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

maybe they attched the flag holder to a gyro or a motor so it stays vertical. you never know what ideas 1114 comes up with

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

too much weight just for the flag holder, think something smaller mostlikely

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

If the flag holder is mounted on a pivot point, they could just add weight to the bottom of the holder always stays vertical. That is the easiest I can think of. :yikes:

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

its sad, really, that Karthik mentioning a complex flag holder gets this many people curious. Maybe we should be focusing on our scouting, strategy, imagery, and other team aspects instead of guessing how their flag holder works. If people are really that concerned, i will take a picture of it on Thursday. Maybe I'll even make a thread called 1114's Flag holder: It's Primetime! I'm sure that it's a nifty holder, but its still a flag holder.

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

Thanks, Rich - you're absolutely right. I was sort of thinking that discussion was getting out of hand. Karthik's much too easily impressed by a few colourful elastics :)

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

why would anyone do that, a servo is much lighter and easier to program :D

there are 101 ways to place a flag to stay legal, but in all seriousness that doesn't matter.
what matters as far as 1114 are:
a) their drivetrain-as this year is primarily defensive if we are to take anything away from week one
b) their manipulator- as 1114 always plays the game in its entirety, not just the endgame, week 1 taught us that its hard to score on the rack and I am hoping someone can put an end to this difficulty, even if just for the games excitement.
c) their ramp- week 1 also taught us that most robots can't climb other ramps, and I feel this is one place 1114 has something up their sleeves...
d)their strategy- (although don't expect you'll hear too much from them on this one-except the underlying strategy to win graciously)

David

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

a) When the upper caliber placer teams enter the game (as 1114 will likely be), the game suddenly changes a whole lot...
b) same as a)
c) really? I didn't watch footage from other regionals, but when robots took about 5-10 seconds to aim and line up, they were typically fine. It was often even faster if the ramps didn't have gaping holes in the middle
d) It's Derek and Karthik...... need we say more?

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

well I watched the webcasts for quite awhile, and the number of failed attempts at getting onto a ramp far surpassed that of teams getting on.

... all your other points I agree with, which is why I said we should be more concerned about them then such a small thing such as the flag holder

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

Mark, Are you crazy? We wouldn't stand a chance. Nobody Pushes Truck Town! NOBODY!!!

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

so, when are we going to see a video of this beast in action? :p


hmm, i see a connection with this photo. :)

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

However, Update #16 indicated that FIRST is changing the seeding algorithm to fix the issue that ocurred.

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

Muahahahahahaha......;)

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

Well not crazy, just wanting to test out the new articulating 6 wheel drive frame. I was messing with the practice one last night for a bit and it was pushing Denny (~260lbs) around with no problem. I would like to put it up against FRC 25 some time this season though to see what kind of off season improvements might be needed... See you guys possibly tonight, if not, for sure bright and early tomorrow morning.

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

can someone post a video of their robot, please, i want to see how this thing works and I can't wait till Waterloo or GTR

thanks

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

So how has it been preforming?

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

=D Simbot Prime!

How I wish I could've gone to GLR...I look forward to reading up on the events at the competition. Next best thing to being there, right?...

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

I'm big on tying up loose ends. So, this is a little bit overdue, but here's early footage of how Team 1114's ramp worked this year. There were a few improvements made through out the season, but you'll get the basic idea.

Yup, you can see the flag holder in all it's glory...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=7U2aYuUeUyQ

Enjoy.

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

I'm thinking of a sentence.

It starts with Holy.

It ends with Cow.
(and it's followed by "man, I should've watched Curie more")

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

Check it out! A real life transformer!:D

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

We named it Simbot Prime for a reason. :p

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

So did one pin release everything?

That's some pretty fancy flagwork, by the way.

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

One thing the video doesn't show is that the ramp also has a winch that lifts it up to horizontal. One robot slides up onto the two 'beach bars' above the arm, and the other climbs the ramp and then gets lifted.

Well, pretty much - one pair of pins at the base of the arm release and allow it fall forward, which pulls down the 'beach bars', which pull out a couple pins at the end of the ramp, and after that everything just sort of springs out. Perhaps more complex than it should have been, but we wanted a very shallow ramp (I think it ended up at 16 degrees) that still went up to 15" or so to allow for overhanging wheels, and to do that the ramp had to be quite long. To get the length while staying in the 4' height class and staying wide enough for a wide-wheelbase robot required some trickery. (Actually, between Championship and IRI we added a couple extra supports that flipped out and supported the upper corners of the ramp - during the regular season a few teams drove off the corner of the ramp and put a nasty bend in it.)

Yes, that took way longer than it should have. It was a classic case of not designing something in from the beggining, figuring it would be a trivial thing to slap on later, and as a result wasting a whole lot of time near the end of build season.

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

I have one more question.

Who designed this?! :ahh:

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

And, as it turns out, probably unnecessary. I don't know how many bots I saw this season competing with flag holders that didn't stay anywhere close to vertical when it wasn't convenient - and they were allowed to compete that way.

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

By far the coolest ramp deployment this year (although watching Beatty's was cool too).

It was funny when mentors on our team would be trying to describe how it worked and everyone was confused. I just summed it up with "Swiss Army Knife".

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

Simbotics designer extraordinaire, Roberto Rotolo. Along with some help from Ian Mackenzie.

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime
 

Who is Roberto Rotolo?

(hoping I didn't just miss something..)