Re: Thoughts about the new FTC challenge?
 

Check out FRC 2001
I think this was the last time I saw this balancing act

Re: Thoughts about the new FTC challenge?
 

Not many FRC robots at that time had an automatic leveling routine which was likely the result of the BasicStamp based CPU and not having COTS items such as an accelerometer/tilt sensor.:ahh:
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Now you can make robots that know which way is up! The HiTechnic Accelerometer / Tilt Sensor measures acceleration in three axes. It also measures tilt along each axis. <snip>This sensor will also tell you if your robot is level so you can build self-leveling robots and much more.
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Re: Thoughts about the new FTC challenge?
 

I was unaware that one existed from HiTechnic, but that sounds much easier :D thanks.

And that rule may be something you want to bring up with FIRST, they're bound to revise that rule if they find it.

Re: Thoughts about the new FTC challenge?
 

Submit this question to the Q&A

Re: Thoughts about the new FTC challenge?
 

Keep in mind in FTC you're standing 6 inches from the robots. You could just drive the tubes over to where you're standing and look if you can't get the magnetic sensor to work as intended.

Re: Thoughts about the new FTC challenge?
 

hmmmm that may make things a little bit simpler...

Re: Thoughts about the new FTC challenge?
 

Robots may not "lift, grasp or hold" the rolling goals (the only baton scoring locations with high points) except during the "end game." But I think teams will want to move them before then, as they are on the opposite side of the field from the dispensers. So get ready for Q&A stuff on what is and is not "holding" the goals.

Also, the "possession" definition (touching = possession) is worse than it looks, since the penalty is 5 points per baton over the limit, per occurrence. Just drive over 5 at once (or individually) while carrying 5 and you get -25. Also, according to <SG4>, robots may not possess a baton in possession of the opposing alliance without penalty (so don't drive over one that the opponent is driving over first).

A change from last year: Safety rule <S1> now adds "another robot" to the previous years' list of field equipment that, if damaged by your robot, is grounds for (discretionary) disqualification by the referees. So defensive strategies are getting riskier, especially if your competition includes lots of robots built last week.

Re: Thoughts about the new FTC challenge?
 

I personally LOVE this year's game, although I think it will drive us krazy predicting what opponents will do in autonomous.

A defense robot could make getting the doubler impossible, just by driving in front of the dispensor. (Note you HAVE to get it in auto mode).

Also, looking at the video, the center of the movable goal appears to light up if there is a mag-batton in it. This will help with end-game scoring.

Phil.

Re: Thoughts about the new FTC challenge?
 

The q&a isnt up yet its still only for the Hot Shot! game.... i guess ill have to wait until they set that up.....

Re: Thoughts about the new FTC challenge?
 

The game will be a big challenge. We shouldn't complain about this. More rules can actually spur forth creativity in teams instead of inhibiting it. Our team can't wait to put together the field and start testing things out!

Re: Thoughts about the new FTC challenge?
 

I seriously doubt that any reasonable call on this rule will include any batons you drive over as being in possession. However I think the game Q&A does need to clarify this rule better.

For instance I can imagine a team making a deflector (like what a locomotive has) on the front of a robot to push batons out of the way keeping the wheels (or whatever) clear. Would that contact be considered possession? Maybe they should rule that if the batons are on the floor you can contact any number of them. Sure some teams will then push them across the floor to a stationary goal, but since bots are allowed to remove them that wouldn't matter a whole bunch.

I cannot find the game Q&A, is it open yet and if so where can I find it?

Re: Thoughts about the new FTC challenge?
 

Fun Fact: HiTechnic released the magnetic sensor the Monday following FTC kickoff. Reply from the Hitechnic guy on an inquiry about the stock:

It's nice that they're only $23 too.

Another fun fact: Nothing in the rules says you can't launch the batons to the other side. I do not know why anyone would want to do that*, but it would definitely grab the audience's attention. This game will be boring to watch, but probably fun to play. As for design, I'll see how much sweat and tears the students put in before I say it's a good game.

*or do I????

Re: Thoughts about the new FTC challenge?
 

This would have to be situational at best -- why waste autonomous just sitting there? I would expect to see it at CMP, or in a couple of regional finals. It just adds to the unpredictability of autonomous I suppose. Juxtapose that with the concept that, by practical implementation, autonomous sequences are supposed to be predictable and you have one confounding paradox :ahh:.

Re: Thoughts about the new FTC challenge?
 

But by even getting over, you still get 10 points even if there is a middle goal blocking bot. So, it is not too good of a strategy for preventing scoring.

Re: Thoughts about the new FTC challenge?
 

unless you push your rolling goal in-front of it, then go where ever you want after that