Climate-challenged teams?
 

This year's playing surface and wheels put the teams from warmer climates (i.e. southern US) at a distinct disadvantage. Except for the occasional hydroplaning on wet roads, we're just not used to low-traction driving! The "snow-belt" teams are going to feel right at home on this year's field :p.

To balance things out, I say next year's game should be a variant on beach volleyball: try running in loose sand!

Re: Climate-challenged teams?
 

Too bad for you we have sand AND ice, just not at the same time.:)

Re: Climate-challenged teams?
 

yea lake michigan in the summer and lake effect snow in the winter, your not really tricking anyone, maybe the canadian teams in the artic circle, but thats it

Re: Climate-challenged teams?
 

I don't necessarily think that teams anywhere have an advantage. Teams in snowy regions see their cars with special treads or spikes for snow or ice.

But remember that the wheels cannot be altered, and nothing can touch the ground besides the wheels. So even if they have the knowledge of how to fix the wheels, it'd be point-less in this game.

And as for the physics behind this, everyone knows and can research the physics involved.

Re: Climate-challenged teams?
 

I dissagree, the teams with the advantage are the ones that have drivers that can adapt to any driving conditions within the first match and only improve from there.

Re: Climate-challenged teams?
 

meh, just put your robot on an skating rink, they are litterally all over north america regardless of the climate :D I dont think that the regolith is as slippery as ice, but i can imagine that being used to worse conditions will make it easier to work in better conditions.

Re: Climate-challenged teams?
 

or run it down blue mountain road off 26 when the plows are late hitting the road, you won't have any trouble finding "slippery" there :)

Re: Climate-challenged teams?
 

yes finally it's pay back time for all the pictures of your sunny out door fields with your team wearing shorts

Re: Climate-challenged teams?
 

Now they'll have sunny outdoor fields with their team wearing shorts and simulated ice.

Re: Climate-challenged teams?
 

i really hope that the ratio of people who know how to drive on ice to those who dont is not similar to northern virginia. essentially only the northerners who move here know how to drive. also people who think that 4 wheel drive solves driving on ice are just as likely to fail as those who think that in real life.

Re: Climate-challenged teams?
 

happily I would take that challenge......

Re: Climate-challenged teams?
 

It's just payback for all those years of making the northern teams find pool noodles in the middle of winter with 3+ feet of snow on the ground! :D

Re: Climate-challenged teams?
 

Anyone can get some practice on the regolith and do better later on. The teams that have an advantage are the teams whose driver can adapt from carpet. Then again, I have lived in both Michigan and Florida so ha!

Re: Climate-challenged teams?
 

which we still have to do:yikes:

Re: Climate-challenged teams?
 

I haven't driven a robot, so I don't know for sure. But I don't think I would get very much feedback on sliding through the joysticks or by watching it slide. Certainly not compared to the feedback I get in a car on ice, through my hands, feet, butt and vision inside the vehicle. I don't think northern robot drivers will have a whole lot of an advantage.