Power to the forward shields! (Titanic wall of defense)
 

Alright so I came up with a possible idea for a defensive robot that would be extremely simple to build and likely very easy to mess with people on the field. It also looks extremely intimidating to look at! :cool:

This robot will need mechanum wheels or suitable omni wheel configuration. Mechanum is ideal as it offers the most ideal transitions of movement. All the robot needs to be able to do is get across the balance bridges and in front of their hoops. Why? Keep reading. ;)

::rtm::
[R02]
The Robot must satisfy the following size constraints:

A.horizontal dimensions must not exceed 28 by 38 in.,
B.the absolute height must not exceed 84 in.,
C.the height of the Robot at the start of the match must not exceed 60 in.,
D.any appendage may not extend more than 14 in. beyond the frame perimeter, and
E.no other part of the Robot may extend beyond the vertical projection of the Frame Perimeter (with the exception of minor protrusions permitted per 0).

We build the base to be a long rectangular chassis (28" long, 38" wide). On the side of the robot we have a small arm for lowering the ramps for field transition, as we can't really brute force over the 4" tall 6" wide beam the ramps rest on. The robot will have to drive sideways over the ramps, but mechanum wheels sould make this easy.

In the middle of the robot is a lift that will extend the robots vertical height. Attached to this lift is a Sheet of polycarbonate, clear plastic. The lift will raise the sheet past the 60" starting height and bring it to 84" A sheet of aluminum or other material to put up some sort of intimidating team mural on would be great, but the game manual prohibits this.

::rtm::
[R08]
Robot parts shall not be made from hazardous materials, be unsafe, cause an unsafe condition, or interfere with the operation of other Robots.

Examples of items that will violate this rule include (but are not limited to):

A.Shields, curtains, or any other devices or materials designed or used to obstruct or limit the vision of any drivers and/or coaches and/or interfere with their ability to safely control their Robot

To avoid violation this rule we put up a transparent wall (be sure to keep it nice and clean).

This situation creates a barrier 84" tall and 38" wide. With some work, you could add a section to the wall that would extend the 14" beyond your perimiter to create an 84" x 52" wall, even more terrifying to have infront of your robot :cool: .

The rim of the 2 point baskets are located 61" from the floor. You have those covered. Come up closer to a robot and you could block many design's shot trajectories, since your height won't cover the 98" 3 point rim. The mechanum wheels allow you to move side to side, forward and back easily to cover the most ground, as your wall is useless if the other teams can just get to where you aren't.

Re: Power to the forward shields! (Titanic wall of defense)
 

Re: Power to the forward shields! (Titanic wall of defense)
 

I had kind of glanced over it as I was writing it. The Wall is supposed to be on a lift to get it up that 24". I didn't describe it in detail other than saying "Attached to this lift is a Sheet of polycarbonate, clear plastic."

I had accidentally deleted a line as I was writing. Appologies.

The original post has been edited to include this.

Re: Power to the forward shields! (Titanic wall of defense)
 

The term defensive robot and mechanum wheels do not belong in the same sentence together.

Re: Power to the forward shields! (Titanic wall of defense)
 

Defense != traction

Re: Power to the forward shields! (Titanic wall of defense)
 

Not gonna be an very effective defender getting pushed aside all the time. Mechanums are strictly for maneuverability. Go with a tank drive to beat opposing robots down.

Re: Power to the forward shields! (Titanic wall of defense)
 

You still have 70% of your pushing power, clearly they have more, but they will now have to be pushing you around so they can score. And your wall is still up there in the way.

If they jump into the safe zone to make their shot without interference, stand at the edge and hope their shots dont go over your wall. Robots that launch from the 60" point will most likely get over you.

Standing right in front of the hoops you cover the 2 point and 1 point hoops. In order to move you out they have to push you to the side and then if they are the bot trying to make the shot now head back out away from the hoops. Move back in and block once more!

Re: Power to the forward shields! (Titanic wall of defense)
 

I'd like to see a team push a robot through the fender.

Re: Power to the forward shields! (Titanic wall of defense)
 

The 2 point hoop is 61" high. You're only allowed to be 60" tall while touching the carpet on your half the field.

Additionally, who say they have to back away to score?

Re: Power to the forward shields! (Titanic wall of defense)
 

If you are a blue robot you are going to be on the red side blocking. Since you are blue in red territory you can go out to 84".

Thats only if they rely on a launching system. If they can drop the ball in, then yes they could push you out and drop it in. Easily they could score one point. Little more challenging, the two points since they can only reach 60" (their side).

Re: Power to the forward shields! (Titanic wall of defense)
 

Read G20 and consider where your alliance station is, you have it backwards.

And why do they have to be far away to launch?

Re: Power to the forward shields! (Titanic wall of defense)
 

This is incorrect. You score towards your opponents alliance station and play defense on your half of the court.

Re: Power to the forward shields! (Titanic wall of defense)
 

Are the color of the carpets based on your goals/starting location or the side of the carpet attached to your alliance station?

Re: Power to the forward shields! (Titanic wall of defense)
 

Found it D:

[G20]
Robots in contact with the carpet on their Alliance Station end of the Court are limited to 60 in tall. Otherwise, Robots are limited to 84 in tall.
Violation: Foul; or Technical-Foul for repeated or continuous violation.


This strategy is not viable

Re: Power to the forward shields! (Titanic wall of defense)
 

That was post #2!

Re: Power to the forward shields! (Titanic wall of defense)
 

Yeahhhhhhh.....

I read it completetly wrong...

Re: Power to the forward shields! (Titanic wall of defense)
 

Ok, so lets look at ways to have a defensive robot.

You go with 60" tall 28 wide and 38 long or vice versa. Then get sideways up in front of the hoops...then just run back and forth ramming anyone who doesn't have a shooter as they come up to put balls in the hoops...Seams like a good way to keep dumpers from scoring 3-6 points per visit. If you can shut a team or two down long term it might determine the outcome of a match.

Would drop 6 tank drive be the way to go for this?

Re: Power to the forward shields! (Titanic wall of defense)
 

It's all good, we all make these mistakes day 1 :)

Re: Power to the forward shields! (Titanic wall of defense)
 

The defensive strategy of this game is interesting though. Because of the fender, you pretty much have to push a defensive bot to the side. Because most robots will score forwards, you would then be facing the wrong direction to shoot after you have pushed the defender out of the way. Do you think it is worth being able to shoot sideways instead, or am i overthinking strategy?

Re: Power to the forward shields! (Titanic wall of defense)
 

Maybe a wall bot is good for blocking targeting systems. You don't need to block the shot, you just need them to miss.

Re: Power to the forward shields! (Titanic wall of defense)
 

That is a good way of looking at playing defense

Re: Power to the forward shields! (Titanic wall of defense)
 

R08A and C both make allotments against this.
"A. Shields, curtains, or any other devices or materials designed or used to obstruct or limit the vision of any drivers and/or coaches and/or interfere with their ability to safely control their Robot

"C. Any devices or decorations specifically intended to jam or interfere with the remote sensing capabilities of another Robot."

Although to be fair, if the driver's particularly skilled, he'd be able to block flying balls with just 60" of height.

Re: Power to the forward shields! (Titanic wall of defense)
 

This rule needs to be clarified. Any kinect on your robot will block/jam an opponents.

Re: Power to the forward shields! (Titanic wall of defense)
 

I don't think blocking shots is an effective strategy at all. A 3' robot with a shooter on the back can lob shots over a 5' robot that is butted right up against it, and in doing so will be shooting the ball at an optimal angle to maximize the solid angle of the rim for the shot.

Getting in the way of vision systems is a viable strategy, assuming the vision system isn't more than 60" high... ...and if it's looking at the hoops!

Re: Power to the forward shields! (Titanic wall of defense)
 

Our team realized yesterday that climbing on the fender is not disallowed. That extra height and closeness to the wall would allow you to block the middle goals simply by putting plates over them. It would just be hard to balance. (you may have to put wheels on both sides of the bottom goal w/o contacting/grappling it.
Actually, come to think of it, if you are on the fender you do not have the 60" limit (no "carpet"). You could be taller, but still not enough to block 3 pointers.

Re: Power to the forward shields! (Titanic wall of defense)
 

Ladies and gentlemen, I think we may have found the chokehold. If you can lock down 3/4 of the opponents goals, you have a fantastic advantage. Prepare for a team update.

A robot that could take advantage of this would have tank treads, and during autonomous proceed to the middle or alliance bridge, based on kinect instructions, and put it down. As soon as hybrid ended, it would run to the opposing teams fender and use whatever device to get up on top of it. Then it would deploy whatever device to block those goals. It doesn't need to be a solid block, it could just be a wire over the top if it to stop balls from going in, so that it doesn't break the intentionally breaking sensors rule.

Re: Power to the forward shields! (Titanic wall of defense)
 

Agreed. If you have a competent driver 60" will be more then enough to block a majority of shots. If you think about the shooting mechanisms commonly used in FIRST games the idea of a shooter firing from above that 60" isn't a common one. If you have the 60" to block, anyone shooting from lower then 50" really wouldn't have a shot at scoring. Also anyone shooting from above that point now still has to deal with your robot being on the defensive. I considered a very similar strategy, looked through the rules thoroughly and can't find anything wrong with it. They'll probably amend some rules though.

Re: Power to the forward shields! (Titanic wall of defense)
 

Huh?

Suppose I'm shooting at a 60-degree arc from 3' off the ground, and the shooter is on the back of my long-oriented robot. Even if you're parked directly in front of my robot, your 60" height won't be enough to block the shot.