Quote:
Originally Posted by btslaser
Having just passed the stop build day, I am left wondering if it is really necessary and moreover, fair.
My thought is that larger, well staffed and funded teams simply build 2 robots and skip over bag and tag day like a formality and their build continues on their 2nd identical, completed robot. Mid-size teams often scramble and stress to find the funds and resources to build 2 robots, but probably have to expend several extra days after the stop build day to bring their 2nd robot online. Smaller, rookie teams haven't figured out the benefit of the 12 week continuous build cycle or simple can't afford it. Bottom line is that stop build = major advantage to teams who can fund and build 2 robots.
I'd like to see a rule that either everyone stops on stop build day or better yet, just do away with it. Like most other competitions, the stop preparing day is the competition day... whether week 1 or week 6 it's completely fair for everyone.
Besides the nice marketing clip about the 6-week FRC build season I don't see any reason for it. Thoughts?
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What is your team's objective? Is it to win? Is it to field a robot? Is it to have a good time and maybe get into the eliminations? My point here is that it not every teams enters a robot to win. Those who want to win will realize that they need to be able to iterate and develop and practice in the time between bag and competition. The practice bot is a tool to help these teams iterate and practice. They're not actually putting the practice robot onto the field.
Also, every team can get a practice bot. Our team operates on a 20-30k budget from student dues, sponsorships, and fundraisers. We have 1 engineering mentor, with 2 teacher mentors and 2 college students, and we have a 20 person team. We placed our goal for winning this year, so the team decided to put in the extra effort and time to build the practice bot alongside the competition bot and continue to iterate before our competitions in week 1 and week 3.
It's not hard to do, Just be smart with your resources and plan ahead. Plus having a goal to rally around isn't a bad thing either
