[Solace]

I think that 2001 was the last year that the machines made the game.

And you're right, it is completely about driving skill. Ok, so maybe not exactly that - it is less driving skill than awareness. Anyone can drive the robot, but the skill comes in seeing where the robot needs to be before the robot actually needs to be there.

I like the emphasis on awareness that has been prevalent for these past two years. It goves the rookie teams a more fighting chance - while the veterans will always have the advantage when it comes to robot design, If a rookie team knows what its doing in the competitions it can remain extremely competitive even if using only a crude robot.

The other excellent thing about this theme is that it turns FIRST into a much more exciting spectator event. Watching teams outmanuevering each other is a lot more exciting than watching robots perform the same repetitive action match after match.