Re: Climate-challenged teams?
 

Haven't heard any teams complain about it and I don't see it as a big issue. If you all have ice skating rinks in your state or have experienced the slippery nature of ice cubes, then there's nothing more of an experience you could have.

Don't think any of the well adapting teams in the West like 330 254 359 368 968... etc. will mind this challenge. Just adapt. Hate to say it, but get over it is kinda the direct way of saying it. Finishing your robot early should be the goal and practicing your drivers. Look up online driving techniques for icy conditions. Its all the same knowledge.

Re: Climate-challenged teams?
 

AMEN!!! Last year we had to call a shop in Florida. They just couldn't understand why a couple of Minnesotans wanted pool noodles in January. It almost seemed like they wouldn't let us order because they couldn't understand it!

We're probably gonna test our robot out in the school parking lot! As soon as January rolls around, our school parking lot is one solid piece of slick ice!

For once in my life, I'm actually glad to live in Minnesota in January! Man, I knew FIRST inspired people, but I didn't know it could make me love -20 degree weather!

Re: Climate-challenged teams?
 

We thought of that too! Just remember that robots and large amounts of snow (water) may cause some undesireable outcomes. We're probably just going to use our cafeteria, gym, or uncarpeted hallways.

Re: Climate-challenged teams?
 

Ah, snow and grit would kind of screw up the robot...maybe we'll have to section off a part of the lot and keep it VERY clean. I bet everybody will love us then ;)

Re: Climate-challenged teams?
 

As we left our build site to pick up some lunch today, we discovered that it had rained ice, so the walkways and streets were worse than regolith. Nothing really helps driving on ice - just use steady acceleration and smooth movements.

Re: Climate-challenged teams?
 

If you've ever seen me drive during the winter, trust me, you'd know that Northern teams aren't at that much of an advantage... :ahh:

Re: Climate-challenged teams?
 

I'm not sure which Great White North you're from, but roads in Maine get a nice salt/sand mixture dumped on them from the back of the plow truck.

So we do have sand AND ice at the same time! :ahh:

Re: Climate-challenged teams?
 

I wonder if you could program some anti-lock brakes to prevent skidding across the regolith? You could have the controller shake for realistic effect.

Re: Climate-challenged teams?
 

But driving on slippery conditions in a car in the middle of winter, you can feel how the car is behaving, you can sense it. Drivers can't sense the reaction of the robot, they can only see what is happening, one less scent being used.