[Brandon Holley]

Originally Posted by Gdeaver

To go along with this should be what is a reasonable top velocity? I see many posts where teams gear for above 10 fps. Can a driver really control a bot at these top ends? How much time per match is max v needed. I know this is game dependent, but I doubt most teams really need above 8 fps. This also ties into joy stick mapping. I submit that lower gearing gives a more precise control of the bot. Question. On a non wide open field and a robot geared to a 6to 8 fps top end, do you really need a 2 speed gear box? Our top end is about 9fps and single speed. We don't see the need for higher speed in most games and I've at times have pushed for a lower top end. I'll take acceleration and low current draw any day over a high top end.

I see this argument a lot for a reason not to have an excessively fast robot. However, this is where some teams have found a leg up on the competition- figuring out how to control a robot at high(er) speeds.

One example is Cheesy Drive, developed by members of 254. We've used the framework for that type of drive control the past 2 seasons on our robots. It is extraordinary how well you can control a robot moving at 18 ft/s (which was the top speed of our 2011 robot). Dipping into the alley (again, 2011) or making a nice fast arc around an opponent are all very easily done once the drive system has been properly tuned.


Manoel- Very nice work! I'm looking forward to seeing some of the discussion that comes out of it.

-Brando