[Nemo]

The changes listed included three size/weight constraints (93,96,13), and four related to competition match structure (99,01,03,05).

If the hint is meant to showcase the evolution of robot constraints and match structure, maybe those aspects of FRC will take another significant evolutionary step this year.

Messing around with the match timing structure is definitely something they could do, such the autonomous endgame idea. In fact, they could do an autonomous end game without adding any additional scoring objectives - just figure out a way for the robot to continue playing for the last n seconds.

While 4vs4 seems like an appropriate change, I can't think of a good way to modify the 3v3 alliance structure when the fields have 3 alliance stations on each side. All of the ideas I can brainstorm are problematic. Maybe they use one or both human player stations as a driver's station. One of the robots on a 4 team alliance could be fully autonomous. 4v4 seems unlikely to me, but it would be cool if they have a way to do it.

I wouldn't be surprised to see a decreased weight limit. It has gotten easier to stay below 120 lbs, and our frame perimeter decreased. Smaller robots would be safer to lift and would perhaps be slightly less able to damage each other in collisions (unless everyone just gears faster to keep a constant KE=1/2mv^2). I think the rough play from last year could have prompted robot rule changes aimed at reducing robot carnage.

Honestly, the hint should have just said this:
1992-2014: no footballs used as game piece
2015: footballs used as game piece