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Use Probability!
This is a great example for the use of probability methods.
What you want to do is take statistics on the accuracy and time of your shooters and ball gatherer. You then need to see how much time it takes you to drag a goal to the human player station and load it from there (you should also keep track of the accuracy). Also, take statistics on any other scenario you want to try. You should be able to gather shooting stats now (if you built a goal). If you need robot stats now, you should be able to estimate them fairly well using some calculations (such as your robot speed) and by watching some videos of previous competitions, like the 2000 competition to see how fast typical robots can score balls.
Now that you have all of this data (statistics), you can calculate reasonable probabilities of each scenario you're thinking of trying.
Then, use the probabilities to calculate the expected value of your score using each scenario you came up with. Whichever scenario gives you the highest expected score value is the strategy you should use. You most likely know this technique as "playing the percentages" (or "playing the odds").
I would suggest going to the library and finding a probability text book and also talking to the mentors on your team to see if any of them are familiar with probability. You can also go talk to the Prob/Stat teacher at your high school.
If you don't have any help, send me an e-mail or a buddy message and I'll try to help you out.
-Chris
Last edited by Chris Hibner : 11-01-2002 at 08:52.
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