[Retired Starman]

Once the game is announced, it is obvious that your robot must do certain tasks, and a lot of teams will start the brain-storming process at this point. I'm of the opinion that teams need to get better acquainted with the game before starting design. In the past, I have had kids set up a field perimeter, get roll around chairs, shopping carts, computer tables, etc. to represent robots and try playing the game. This will usually point out limitations on robot placed by the game itself--things like there isn't room on the filed of six robots and four giant balls to "go fast and turn left" if you remember that game from the past. Having a sense of how the game is played is very important to designing a unique robot that functions well on the field.

Dr. Bob

Chairman's Award is not about building the robot. Every team builds a robot.