In 2016, we won it for-
- Intricate autonomous modes
- Trajectory planning
- Live setpoint-actual graph for tuning PIDVA loops
- Both drivetrain and arm motion profiled
- High level of autonomous function
- Same vision tracking used throughout match
- Driver instructs robot what to do, not how to do it. Shooter arm is all autonomous, from angle to reloading. The copilot just says to aim and if it is good to shoot.
In 2014, we won it for (starting to forget
):
- Robust software that actually accounted for mechanical failures and could be enabled to adapt in such a case
- Two ball autonomous
- Intelligent robot lighting (using a small coprocessor to drive them) that would alert the driver to robot conditions
In 2013, we won it for (don't remember much
):
- Anti-tip code on a robot that needed to be tippy for our climbing strategy
- Good autonomous mode?
And every year, regardless of the robot, we won awards because our students could convey the robot's functions with clarity and enthusiasm.
If you can be really excited about what your robot can do, odds are the judges will too.