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Re: Human Player Strategies
Going back to 2005 (the first game of FRC that I know well), there has always been a 15 second "autonomous" period and a "Human Player."
In Overdrive (2008) the "Human Player" was called a "Robocoach" and could signal to the robot during the "Hybrid" period to change its behavior using an IR remote control. This was often used to indicate which position the trackball(s) were in on the overpass.
In Lunacy (2009) the "Human Player" was called the "Payload Specialist," for no reason other than to fit the theme of the game. They didn't have any particularly unusual function.
In Logomotion (2011) the "Human Player" was called the "Feeder" or the "Analyst," which I didn't really recall until just now when I confirmed they didn't have any special name. This was since there were two Feeders and one Analyst, each with distinct roles.
Generally, I'm not a fan of the "Autonomous" period being made into a "Hybrid" period... This year, primarily, I see no reason to have added the Kinect function besides FIRST being sponsored by Microsoft to use it or FIRST seeking to get it incorporated for the future. Adding the ability to interject special commands reduces the level to which a team is motivated to use sensory feedback to reliably complete tasks. Personally, I'm not a fan of that... I can understand how others might not be, though
Changing the name of various roles mostly seems to add to the vocabulary that those involved with the team have to re-learn every year. It can be confusing enough for parents, grandparents, siblings, sponsors, etc. to get into the game each year, but changing the name because of some nuances in the role seems silly. I don't think the change in Overdrive was unreasonable, but the change in Lunacy and Rebound Rumble seem silly. Given the distinct roles in Logomotion, I can't complain too much about the name change.
These aren't things that merit much of a complaint, but I've found them to be silly things that FIRST has had a tendency to do these past few years...
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"If you want to build a ship, don't drum up men to gather wood, divide the work, or give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery
"The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses - behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights." - Muhammad Ali
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." - Leonardo da Vinci
Student: 2006-2010 (#1519)
Mentor: 2011-Present (#1519)
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