Re: Update #6
 

Another way to do this would be to talk to the teams around you in the pit and then share 1 trackball among a couple of teams. FIRST would then not need to arrange this, but we could still benefit from the extra space. You could store it in between the pits so that it is not filling up one team's space, or move it around thought the day when someone needs the space and another team doesn't.

Re: Update #6
 

I'm reminded of 2006 with the poof balls. I was in the pit working on something when my team decided to power on the bot to begin testing the auton code. (I don't remember what we were looking for at the time to be honest). Anyway, the way our code worked was that it would run the tracks to drive out and then shoot the balls in an arc (kind of like dead-reckoning + spray the balls everywhere in an attempt to hit at least one in).

Well, it turns on and the tracks go (it's on blocks so it doesn't actually go anywhere), it was about then that I realized that there were poof balls in the robot. I make this mad dash/dive across the pit screaming "TURN IT OFF TURN IT OFF IT'S GONNA..." *poof*. I manage to stop the second one from firing, but the first one is already gone. It's making this nice arc across the pit area and my entire team is yelling "HEADS UP/WATCH OUT/OHMYGODWHAT'SITGONNAHIT?!?!". I seriously thought we had probably destroyed something.

The good news is that the team's pit that we hit was one of those teams that likes to bring in those camping-shelter things that acts kind of like a roof with no walls. They attached cloths to the top and let them drape down to act as walls. This stopped the ball perfectly. No injuries or damage. (We sent someone over to make sure)

Needless to say, we double checked that there were no poof balls loaded when we tested it from then on. I can't even imagine what would happen if something like a trackball came flying into a pit.

Re: Update #6
 

I have to say that the rule about practice area is what I had hoped for and expected. With the number of teams here on CD, expressing a desire to include a "launcher" in their design, I shuddered at the thought of these devices being tested in a pit with other folks close by. I expect that a future update will also include a mandatory demo of the launcher as part of the inspection process.

Re: Update #6
 

I could see this happening. They tested the shooters 2 years ago, if you appeared to exceed the limit.

Re: Update #6
 

You haven't been to Detroit, have you?

Re: Update #6
 

can see it now. 45 or more balls in upper venue seats. people trying to spell things out with them. might be pretty cool.

Re: Update #6
 

We are building a shooter, and I can't imagine any reason why we would want or need a track ball in our pit, or would want to try to launch one in our pit.

I guess if you are building a robot that grips the ball, then you might need one for adjusting things, but then you'd also probably be depending on the trackballs all being the same size/inflation? which is unlikely.

I have a feeling that this game is going to be difficult to demonstrate when we take the robot around to different places to show it off after the season ends :)

Re: Update #6
 

I've been thinking that for quite a while but I'm also in the wait and see mode.

Basically, I can't wait to see this game played out!

Re: Update #6
 

Well i can see were this rule is coming from, but i still think it is kinda silly. Teams should have the common sense to make sure that everyone and anyone who is around there pits is kept safe. Just like walking the robot to the field and back to the pits. You should have safety precautions to make sure that your robot is not in anyway dangering others while testing there robot's launcher. I know you could test your robot in the practice field, but at times its not practical if you just want a quick test before a match.

Re: Update #6
 

I have been playing the fun little movie in my head for a while now. "Hi Mister Corporate Sponsor! We are here to demonstrate our robot for you and your company before we send it off to the competitions. You know, the one that you helped fund and promote? Well, we really want to show it to you. But it seems that we can't actually fit the game piece through any of the standard doorways in your building. So would you mind bringing all of your senior executives out into the parking lot? We will meet you there. p.s. we note that it is the middle of February, and this is northern Minnesota, and the expected high temperature today is seven degrees below zero. You might want to grab a sweater." :)


-dave




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Re: Update #6
 

I don't know about you guys, but when we tear down our test track/overpass, we might use the parts to make a giant basketball hoop for our robot to play with at demonstrations... yeah, it might not be the game the robot was designed for, but it's something it could definitely do!

Re: Update #6
 

Or West Michigan, there are no seats there on Saturday, or Boilermaker which is also at a smaller venue.

Re: Update #6
 

Bah. -7 is a warm day. As long as they have a long sleeve shirt, they'll be fine.

Re: Update #6
 

Downright balmy for Minnesota!

Re: Update #6
 

Unfortunately true right now :( I have to walk to class in a few minutes and the current Wind chill is -23 according to weather.com. I would venture a guess it is worse than that here on campus (wind tends to be stronger here than most other spots in the cities because we're right on the Mississippi).