Naming a few off the top of my head:
254- obviously. It was just so ingeniously designed as well as amazingly creative. And the three ball. Just wow. I really loved the fact that they had a shot for in front of the low goal and one for when an opposing robot was blocking the low goal. That was genius. Not to mention the two intakes, which really helped in picking up the ball under heavy defense. Just a brilliantly designed robot overall.
1114- obviously. Another greatly creative design, with the wheeled shooter. Their shot was basically the poofs', except a tiny bit less accurate. Doesn't change the fact that it's great. Also I love the name. Simbot Evolution. Not only does it have a ring to it, but it's aptly named, with the "evolution" of simbot ss from 2008.
Note: Who would've thought the finals in Einstein would have wheeled shooter scoring bots? Obviously these two teams did.
1717- In case you haven't noticed, I have a thing for wheeled shooter bots
not only that, but the swerve was just amazing, as usual. I believe the love for the wheeled shooters comes from the fact that they were thrown aside at the beginning of the season by most teams, but arguably ended up being the best way to shoot. Shows that creativity doesn't hurt.
3539- Another different robot, built by a team that's never afraid to differ from the norm. They're probably my favorite team in Michigan, and I'm sure their creativity and their success that comes with it has a lot to do with it. I mean just look at the thing. It's so well designed. The way that they're able to control three balls at once by forcing balls through their robot channel with those bands, then once the balls at the top lay it right in is great. Amazing team, amazing robot.
971- Their robot is one of the prime examples of innovation this year. To take that popular 1114 design, and not completely copy it, but think, "how do we make this better?" And of course, they came up with the ability to flip the claw and shoot on both sides. This function was clearly amazingly helpful, especially under heavy defense when it might be hard to turn around. Their track record this year was simply amazing, and that kind of ingenious innovation will bring that on.
Note: I still wish there was a bot built that could intake and shoot on both sides
177- Another instance of brilliant game analysis. Obviously, due to the heavy defense that would be inevitable, short robots would be getting blocked. So they concluded that a tall robot would be best for the job. Not only that, but making their shot have a super high release point, so that beast could pick up from anywhere in the scoring zone pretty much and score. Brilliantly thought out and executed.
1678- Definitely the most successful mid-field bot, if not the best, in all of FRC. The two intakes are beautiful, and allow them to intake from anywhere, then put it up to the human player. Beautiful robot, great team.
27- I'm surprised I haven't seen this one yet, but here it is. Another creative design, kind of combining the common designs of catapult and linear punch into one amazing end effector. It is very consistent to the human player, and proved to be quite an asset, especially to 33
Their intake was flawless, and complemented their punch perfectly, holding that ball snug in shooting position until ready to shoot. Then it would come off the ball and in one fluid motion the ball would already be out. Great robot, amazing team and very deserving of their championship chairman's award, as well as their michigan state title.
Honorable mentions:
33
359
368
469
1983
2590