Re: Observations First Day of Matches
 

*chases 20*

Re: Observations First Day of Matches
 

I don't think the game is nearly as exciting this year. When you're concentrating on the robots and not the humans, it's a very slow, fluid game, kind of like walking underwater. At least compared to last year.

Even simple traction control helped a LOT, according to our driver. I talked to the programmer after the match, and he said that he only wrote some very rudimentary code to limit acceleration (no sensors), and that the robot handled better than it did on the slightly grippier dirty linoleum at the school. No power slides, though…

Only one robot with a fan at the Buckeye, 2399. Didn't see how well it worked out for them though.

Re: Observations First Day of Matches
 

It all depends on who you play with, I say that seeing a robot fly across the playing field to dump a hopper full of balls into a trailer is pretty exciting.

Re: Observations First Day of Matches
 

As part of 121 and the operator of the robot i would say that today's practice was great at BAE. It gave plenty of time for us to practice and having the fast pass was great. It was very clear to us that maneuverability would play a big role in the game. If you could not score or were loading balls you had to keep a look out. For teams that were not moving or caught in a "charlie foxtrot" they were like sitting ducks and very easy targets. The power dumpers seemed to be more effective than the turret designs. Also our traction control was amazing and allowed us to easily weave in and out as to not get caught up in a mess. I would say our driver Brad Mello did an excellent job driving and seemed to enjoy chasing team 20 around the field for a few matches. All in all the practice day was fantastic with only minor rule, field, and control problems.

Re: Observations First Day of Matches
 

Keep in mind that these were only practice matches. From what I saw robots weren't working fully, and the limited number of balls were (mostly) used up long before the 5 minute match ended. The next two days will be a much better indicator.

Re: Observations First Day of Matches
 

I remembered an observation I made last night before I went to bed.

Traction Control is not as important is many make it. Or at least not at this level. Yesterday we had no issues major traction issues and I found the field to have a bit more grip than I anticipated.

It seemed like a lot of teams put improper emphasis on Traction Control and it slows the 'bots down a lot. I think that was why many of the matches went as slow as they did yesterday. Don't get me wrong a good traction control system will win you matches but a bad one is it's own hell.

Also a trick I learned is to always keep the trailer moving and swinging. This, for one thing, makes it harder for your opponent to track it but also add as certain degree of maneuverability if you can swing it correctly. The second the trailer comes to a dead stop driving becomes twice as hard.

Re: Observations First Day of Matches
 

Great insights, thanks.

Re: Observations First Day of Matches
 

We found yesterday that the crab drive option really allowed us to
move sideways much more easily to both reposition for scoring and to evade being scored upon. I agree that traction is less of an issue, and that the skill of the drive team is important because they NEED to not get pinned in the pile.

It was difficult to see many matches with a lot of robots on the field, because they were having trouble with inspections, but when it did get moving, the game looked pretty cool. Should be an interesting day. Unfortunately, I'm staying at the hotel with a sick student, so if anyone wants to send me updates, I'd appreciate it. (We're in Kansas City)

Re: Observations First Day of Matches
 

Take care of your student. It's good that you are there.
Jane

Re: Observations First Day of Matches
 

What penalties are occurring?

Re: Observations First Day of Matches
 

I only heard of 2 (in one match) on opposite alliances in NJ so far.

1 penalty for a Payload Specialist not using the Tongs to grab a game piece.

1 penalty for the Payload Specialist using the Super Cell before the allowed time.

Re: Observations First Day of Matches
 

I heard a penalty of posessing 4 free cells at once (!) don't remember which regional, I have 3 computers running and it's hard to keep track

Re: Observations First Day of Matches
 

Free cells?? You mean Empty Cells?
Sounds like someone has been playing computer card games while watching the regional(s) as well. :p
I think that was NJ btw - I heard something about having only one in the bot at a time - a rule I wasn't that familiar with to be honest.

Re: Observations First Day of Matches
 

heh...yeah, you're right! doh

edit: this is what I saw

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...threadid=75266

Re: Observations First Day of Matches
 

DC has had a ton of penalties though they were very odd. There were a lot for silly things like exchanging for super cells early or even just picking up game pieces just prior to the match starting. It was very odd to me since in now 5 years of FIRST experience I have never seen so many penalties for such silly things.