Re: New VEX Game Announced!
 

I had this EXACT idea earlier. Even down to the different ball sizes and "locking" the balls in. (Although I didn't call it that) I think the only differences were I had a shorter seperating wall, only 2 ball sizes instead of 3, and no footballs :P

Anyway, I won't be competeing, but I made an idea for a design anyway :)

Assuming its legal to cover your own triangles, I would make a bot that could cover both triangles and has a massive hopper in the middle that your allies can fill up, that dumps all the balls at the last second.

Re: New VEX Game Announced!
 

I don't think it is feasible to lock up the small balls, thay are 4 inch diameter, it would be hard to score more than 5 in one 18 inch high goal, if you get five in each goal it is equal to 6 medium balls, it would be easier just to shoot balls over the wall.

Re: New VEX Game Announced!
 

There are VEX pneumatics and they've been legal for two years in VRC.

Re: New VEX Game Announced!
 

Ah, I still have the old FTC rules stuck in my head. (designs winning robot)

Something (for me!) to keep in mind is that with absolutely no robot pushing wars to worry about, stuff like omni drive is completely viable, when in previous years a robot with omni drive would get pushed too easily. I'd love to be able to strafe along the barrier with a giant wall of sheet metal.

I have a (bad) design idea for some kind of hinged wall of VEX plates that I might build for fun this summer... it'd be nice and geared, but basically an 18 inch square bot has a plate that folds up from parallel to perpendicular to the chassis, then flaps on the side (that were underneath it when folded) pop out, then the robot plays defense. I don't know how well it would work but building Vex robots that aren't gimmicks isn't really my thing. ^_^

Heh, now I want to make a CAD render of the idea. Or just build it.

Re: New VEX Game Announced!
 

I've posted some pictures of the new game objects and field layout at: http://www.vexforum.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=3266. There are five total, scroll down to go to the others.

Re: New VEX Game Announced!
 

Those small balls are much bigger than I thought. It's a bummer that there's only 10 you can fit in both goals, they seemed like a really reliable option for scoring.

Two small balls being roughly as wide as a football is giving me manipulator ideas...

Re: New VEX Game Announced!
 

My drawing board was full with drawings and strategy and then I saw the pictures and realized exactly how big the balls were...dang.

None the less back to board.

Honestly, I'm not even sure if we'll be allowed to do VRC. We'd have to convince the mentor and then on top of that build a robot that convinces them that we can "handle" it.

RIck TyLer - How heavy would you guess the balls are?

Re: New VEX Game Announced!
 

Woot, we just confirmed two new VRC teams for this year.

I too underestimated the size of the playing elements.:eek:

Re: New VEX Game Announced!
 

I was reading through the manual again and I was wondering, How exactly do we use 10 motor/servos with only 1 Y-cable allowed?

Re: New VEX Game Announced!
 

That's one Y-cable per motor port, not one total.

Re: New VEX Game Announced!
 

They are denser than this year's cubes and a lot "squishier." If you were around in '06, they strike me as being just about identical to the Nerf Poof Balls of that year. You can get a Nerf basketball or football at a local toy store -- about like that. Or, just register a team and IFI will send you a welcome kit including all the different balls. Somewhere in all those boxes out in my van there is probably a welcome kit or two.

Re: New VEX Game Announced!
 

All dimensions, including those of the game objects can be found at in the game documentation located at: http://www.vexrobotics.com/vex-clean-sweep.shtml

Re: New VEX Game Announced!
 

I must say though, I do wish there was more robot to robot interaction. I really like this game though, the size of the game elements looks fun to work with.

Re: New VEX Game Announced!
 

I had an idea where i use and converbelt thing to pick up the round balls from the ground and put it into a container or bucket and then build and arm to pick up the football and put it into the container. Then dumb them all at the wall

Re: New VEX Game Announced!
 

That would seem to be the basic idea that everyone's working at. :D.

What'll set robots apart are

1. Storage. It was said earlier that it'll probably be a good idea to dump in the final moments of match in order to make sure that balls don't come back over. So in the final minutes of the match, which ever team controls more balls towards the end will most likely end up winning.

2. The post might end up playing a big role if a team manages to dump balls into the post and fill up both, then that is 30 points, right there. While during qualifications, matches tend to be clear cut, but during the finals, this might end up being a deciding factor.

3. Intaking and scoring the footballs is a given.

4. The large balls are also key. While the page says 10 points, that is ultimately a difference of 20 points between your score and the other teams score.

5. Good defensive robots can also block the wall and stop other robots from dumping balls. This will be crucial in the last seconds of the match as the offensive robots go to make their massive dump. This will also help when teams are making feverish attempts to get the large ball over the barrier.

Obviously everyone wants to dump, and most robots will figure out the basic dump, but robots which can figure how how to do the above will be extremely successful. I'm glad to say that we're currently working on finalizing a design which can do all o' the above. :D. muahahaha.