Well...
We decided that we would either "put up, or shut up".
So, we chose to attend the 2 most competitive regionals near us (UTC Conn, and BAE New Hampshire), and we'll do everything we can (within gracious profesionalism of course!) to win one of them.
Ways we're going to do this:
1. Build a second practice bot. - We intend on making our drivers the best they possibly can be. To do this, we've decided to invest the time and resources in a "twin" robot, then we can just "train the hell out of" our drivers.
2. Investigate some concepts this semester. - We are currently playing around with some new technology that will hopefully help us out in January. Stuff that will hopefully make the 229-2004 robot able to play with "the big boys". I know we're not the only ones doing this... should be interesting to see where robot technology takes us in 2004.
3. Go reliable. - We are already thinking about the general *type* of robot we want to build in January. Rather than be a giant, technically complex, amazing, dominating machine... we are going to build a simple, robust little bot that can play the game (score and descore). A bot that will give us the versatility to "let the coaches and drivers, win matches... not the robot". We'd like to be working at 100% when we come out of the box at our first regional, and stay working throughout. We've talked about it, and believe that reliability will be the MOST important thing this year. Work well, and work consistently throughout the competition season.
4. Strategy, scouting, and networking. - On 229, we are always thinking about game strategy. Whether it is talking about old FIRST games, old FIRST robots, watching old video, or thinking about new imaginary games... We will likely do as much scouting as possible before competition (
www.firstrobotics.net is our bible!) and then even more once we get to the event. Knowing your opponent's strengths/weaknesses better than they do can swing a match.
5. Rubbing our lucky rabbit's feet, and praying. - There is usually a lot of luck involved in FIRST competitions. While chance favors the prepared mind, we also realize... flukes happen. So... we're hedging our bets with some good old fashioned lucky charms. It can't hurt.
Anyways... that's our plan to get to Atlanta.
"How to win a regional in 5 easy steps", by JVN
Whatever happens, I'm just looking forward to another season. Win or lose, I'll be in Atlanta (with, or without 229).
See you all on the field...
John