Re: The 2010 Curve Ball
 

The Field will be pretty much the same size - I'm 99% sure on that one. I think there will be serious obstacles to negotiate through, over, or around. Like others have already said, we haven't had that since 2004.

Curve ball? 4-6" wheels may not be the way to go this year. Treads or larger wheels could be needed. If teams have to use larger wheels, treads, or stairclimbers, that maybe enough of a curve ball in itself.

Re: The 2010 Curve Ball
 

Rather than climbing obstacles, I think we may have to duck them. Perhaps the GDC will honor the year 2010 with a giant X suspended 3' over the field. Scoring goals will be > 6' high, and robots are required to navigate under the X in order to reach the goals.

Re: The 2010 Curve Ball
 

Curve ball - No Game Hint #2

Or, perhaps, Game Hint #2 that is "hidden" in some web location that we must go find...

(Come on Bill Miller, prove me wrong....)

Re: The 2010 Curve Ball
 

Why does this sound like Iron Chef? Today's secret ingredient is ... bowling pins!

(I think bowling pins would be more fun than bowling balls.)

Re: The 2010 Curve Ball
 

And extremely tricky too -- those things weigh 3lbs, are slick with wierd shapes, and are fairly durable. They seem perfect for a FRC game...

Re: The 2010 Curve Ball
 

There was a team in 2007 that competed in a competition match with no drivetrain. Their drive was broken, but they were a ramp bot, so they plunked it on the field and still scored points for their alliance. There's a picture somewhere...

Re: The 2010 Curve Ball
 

Except for the cost factor... I personally have a set I got from the bowling alley I played at. They don't replace them often because they're expensive.

Re: The 2010 Curve Ball
 

I don't know if you are meaning 1816. In the semis at WI during the second match, the transmission failed on their robot. For the third match, they put the robot out because the ramps still worked even if they couldn't drive around. They didn't win the match, but both of the other robots were lifted up at the end.

Re: The 2010 Curve Ball
 

I can think of one ramp-bot that didn't have a drivetrain at all that year. Can't say they had much success, though.

Re: The 2010 Curve Ball
 

It depends on the game, my friend. ;)

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/31433

Re: The 2010 Curve Ball
 

Our team in 2006 was in the proccess of converting our treds to wheels and put the robot out on block for a match. Our auton worked, at least!:p

Re: The 2010 Curve Ball
 

Okay, you got me, Karthik!

But didn't 148 have a little help from some friends? ;)

Re: The 2010 Curve Ball
 

What about 111 in 2003?

Re: The 2010 Curve Ball
 

Candle pin? Similar but slightly less tricky

Now something completely different; Frisbees.
<please be Frisbees>

Re: The 2010 Curve Ball
 

Curveballs (not necessarily all at once):

Playing surface: A non-Newtonian fluid, like a corn starch/water mixture.

Game piece: A refrigerator box 1/4-filled with sand.

Robot restrictions: Robot must be a stationary arm. ( keep suggesting this for our FLL team, but it has yet to be implemented.)