Quote:
Originally Posted by stevend1994
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tristan Lall
On another note, I wonder if FIRST has a formal plan for enforcement of the bag and tag procedures? Something like requiring submission of photographs of the robots (in the open, and then bagged and sealed) and tags on ship day, with copies to the regionals. Maybe even a procedure for appointed representatives to drop in on short notice to verify compliance. The honour system does work pretty well, but there were some reports of suspicious actions that undermine the integrity of the competition.
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Logistically, anything but honor system is a nightmare. For those who don't know, the 'tags' for bag and tag are basically numbered zip ties. Assuming the technology isn't there to have electronic tracking of the zip ties(  ) here's an idea I just came up with:
Give teams 6 'tags', each with the same number(IIRC it was a random number of 5 or 6 characters, I don't know if it was the same for all teams)
By midnight bag+tag night, require teams to submit a picture of the robot in the bag, as well as a picture up close of the seal on the bag, along with the extra 6 zip ties.
For MAR and FiM, require the same for each time teams use the work periods, maybe even have work periods be 'activated' through TIMS
It could work, though I imagine the idea of 1000+ teams trying to upload their pictures through TIMS one the same day could possibly be a nightmare if teams all wait until late-night, but it's an idea. |
Reading what I wrote, I realize that I wasn't clear that I didn't intend both of those possibilities to be implemented—one is sufficient. Also, I don't mean for every robot to be independently verified. The mere threat—plus a small sample per regional, chosen by impartial people with an eye to practical considerations—should have a strong deterrent effect.
Your idea about photographing the robots and tags is basically exactly what I was suggesting. If the officials know roughly what a robot looks like on ship day, and can see which tag to expect (and inspect for tampering) at the event, it's much harder to fake it.
Aside: If you really want to track the tags electronically, you could equip them with tamper-evident RFID stickers like they use in consumer goods. I'm not sure what good that would do, though.