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Re: Ramps
I expect to see a plethora of them from now on (starting this week), if it is deemed "still legal for all teams to do" and not just "Subjective Officiating" at a single event for a single Alliance. (I have no proof that is the current case, the jury is still out BTW). Only questions and very curious minds remain.
Anything that helps faster, high powered stackers get those totes closer to the scoring zone, and gets more off field totes on the field, faster without the inconvienence of the fast stacker being tethered/leashed to their other Actual Robot Portion, and unclutters the HP Stations (should save some time), and make it easier on the Elite high powered teams to score higher....And a lot harder for the lower qualified, mainly lighter 3rd. picks willing to sit still and "get tethered or leashed" for the "Good of the Alliance" and a possible Pretty Blue Banner, and so much more.
For that matter, I'll throw my original idea weeks ago in the trash, of building a pair of on-site community provided, built, and owned clamp or bolt on, Auto RC Collectors (not from the shelf), similar to 148's only clamped on many lesser capable Robot(s), or those that just want the added capabillity, and have room for the added wt.. (all each volunteer community robot would need is an avail. motor speed controller, pre-wired to accept a common plug in, and the approx. 5lb. avail. added wt. space, able to be fitted to bolt or clamp it on in a reasonable period of time, and be able to drive forward 5', and a willingness to participate).
The idea came to me long before I saw 148's bot (for gaining the RC Set for those that can only drive straight into the zone, & opening up that 3 Yellow Tote Stacking Set to more possibillities in Auto since the RC's would be gone, but out of the way possibly scoring both sets & stacks much more often, thereby raising many of the PA's higher across the board).
The "build a pr. idea" was so both Alliances could use 1 each per match on at least 1 bot each side. I was trying to see if it would even fly in the existing ruleset, then attempt to actually do it as a community at possibly a single event (East Phoenix)....Lots of time to "community build it" on Thursday in Phoenix since there are no practice matches until at least Noon on Thursday. Nobody bit, so I dropped it.
Building onsite Ramps (as long as you didn't design one already into your robot, and not everyone designed a Robin or a conveyer belt in like a few I've seen already), is the smart deal if you all want higher personal PA's (and who doesn't). 1 would promote more robot & team participation, the other just a wee bit less.
Forget that...Just Do Both! Every team can spare just a few bucks, and at least 1 team member on Thursday. What is built at the event, is just considered free shop time, w/ fewer controls. (All that is necessary is willingness, split cost of resources, split cost of time, and a little design work, a small area to work, mentor/student participation, community desire & teamwork, and a wee bit of massive organization). The payoffs can be community huge though. Raffle off the pcs. for charity (Winners get to add it to their bagged bot before leaving the event), and do it again next event if there are again willing attendees. (What is a 1-3 hr. build season compared to 6Weeks+?)
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