Re: Predictions: A cynical view of reality
 

That is exactly what we did. We used a poll and a 1.5" cylinder to knock off the ball. we have a "1726 style" bot that is honestly my favorite of the 4 years I've been on the team. I am hoping more bots of this style pop up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W10F7X8a_LE

Re: Predictions: A cynical view of reality
 

Put some grooves (like a golf club) and grip material on your catapult arm (1726) and see what happens.

Re: Predictions: A cynical view of reality
 

I get what you're saying, but I'm saying that ultimately we won't be able to call that yet. It's going to depend on each robots alliance composition over the course of the year, as I don't think any design will have the tools to dominate every single match in this game. 2008 is a much more alliance structured game than 2006 or 2007, and it will be very very difficult for individual robots to dominate once teams realize techniques they can use to stop them. They only way I see one team dominating every match is if 148/1519 and their super-lapping friends end up being correct and laps ultimately make the difference more than anything else (which is yet to be seen, and I definitely have my opinions on this matter). Otherwise as close as we'll get to seeing a robot dominate are the robots that can combine the strengths of each system while minimizing the weaknesses. So far there has been only a couple teams that have shown me that they have enough advantages to even have the possible potential to take over a match, and none have enough to guarantee it for me.

Re: Predictions: A cynical view of reality
 

we can do it... i'll post a video if we actually manage to pull it off

Re: Predictions: A cynical view of reality
 

Here's one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCzQ9kYlWWA

Re: Predictions: A cynical view of reality
 

At the 1:21 mark of this video, we show one of our drivers attempting to do just that. After a few tries, they manage to successfully launch for placement 4 out of every 5 times.

Re: Predictions: A cynical view of reality
 

yeah, but you first have to find the right position... fortunately we can do it with a simple rangefinder, or maybe with something even simpler... the flag! 51" flag rule doesn't have to be a drag, it can be a design feature!

Re: Predictions: A cynical view of reality
 

The thing about shooters is that they have to make sure they are in just the right spot, just like everybody else, right? They are usually faster, in the actual act, but they also have a harder time chasing after the ball afterward, and usually have a harder time grabbing. Mostly - as you imply - they generally can't place, and that can mean big points at the end.

But your best point is what everybody else has missed -the importance of Hybrid Period. The best teams may score 1/3 to 1/2 of their points in that period!!

Re: Predictions: A cynical view of reality
 

Drive around the field a few times, then do it.

Rinse. Repeat.

Re: Predictions: A cynical view of reality
 

I think you are overestimating the importance of placing the ball at the end. If you place it and drive under the overpass you only get 4 more points than if you hurdle and drive under.

Re: Predictions: A cynical view of reality
 

Shooter's will have just as hard a time if not easier a time of tracking down the ball than arm-bots. The grabbing mechanism has almost nothing to do with the design. I've seen tons of good grabbers on shooters and arm-bots alike, and several mediocre ones.

Re: Predictions: A cynical view of reality
 

I think there are some arm bots that will be very useful alliance partners.

I have seen several arm bots that can pick up the ball at full speed (one was 17 fps) without having to stop (won't divulge team numbers as these videos haven't been posted online yet, well 973 is one, but that's my team...). Now, they may not hurdle as fast, but they are definitely better at picking up the ball than any shooter bot I've seen videos of (1625 is pretty close though).

Re: Predictions: A cynical view of reality
 

exactly another insight that influenced our bot, it doesn't make too much sense to sacrifice efficiency elsewhere in the match for something that'll get you 4 more points. When by having a faster design you'll easily outweigh that 4 point gap

woot lol

Re: Predictions: A cynical view of reality
 

Well, we have driven around the field a few times and landed it on the overpass (probably by virtue of sheer luck, though), but it certainly is possible. However, I don't think it's really worth the risk of firing to late/early and then end up not being able to clear the overpass or having the ball bounce off the overpass and hit your robot.

I'm sure with practice, people may be able to do it on the move. But until then, I don't think that the extra 4 points is really worth risking a hurdle over. Plus, I'm sure it would be easy for another team to knock the trackball off, anyway, so again, I think that an endgame hurdle would be the most effective idea for a shooter to implement here.

Re: Predictions: A cynical view of reality
 

But if you find yourself in the other alliance's home stretch as time is expiring, and you manage to put the ball on top, you get 12 points more than if you didn't.