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Originally Posted by Joe Johnson
For what it is worth, I am confident that I see another falling Beast. In fact, it looks to me like there practice robot is in the background actually shown in its fallen position.
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As others have said, the robot in the background is definitely the 2003 robot. You can see red, white, and blue stickers on two sides of it and I have never seen a practice robot with stickers on it before (then again this is Beatty).
As for this years robot, BEAST 2004, it looks as though it will not fall like the BEAST 2002. Look at the picture, three wheels are pointed to the bottom left corner in the picture, with the fourth wheel hidden. All four of these wheels are on the ground. If it did indeed fall, there are no wheels/walkers on the top of the robot to drive around with.
The other guarantee I am making is that they are using the exact same arm mechanism and technology from the BEAST 2001, the game with the bridge on the fulcrum. Look at the vertical PVC on the robot (not the PVC on either the mobile goal or stationary goal). Now, checkout their robot's picture from 2001:
http://www.firstrobotics.net/01galle.../071-1_gif.htm. This robot's PVC arms look very similar to this year's arms. And, remember they are attempting to achieve the same task - pick up a 30" ball.
No more guarantees from me, but here is what I can deduce from the rest of the picture. They have pneumatics, look at the compressor mounted at the bottom left of the robot. Battery is mounted low to ground, look at the front and center of the robot - right next to the compressor.
I am completely baffled as to why the aluminum tubing for the frame is bent like it is on the left hand side. Also, there is a PVC piece that is horizontal at the top of the robot.
I guess I will make two predictions for Beatty 2004. First, they are not relying on hanging often or ever! I know this may be suprising and I am very likely wrong, but I think that this is a ball rolling machine.
Lots of you have been impressed with Team 33 and their ball rolling capabilities. I think that Beatty will be similar to this - they will go around and grab lots of little balls. The only difference between 33 and the Beast is that the best will be able to cap the goal to double those small balls. Beatty probably figures that they will be able to score enough balls to not have to worry about hanging. The reason I say that they are a ball rolling machine is because they have a real wide robot and their electronics are mounted vertically.
Well this is just what I have been thinking, but we will find out for sure in a few hours! Good luck to everyone at the Midwest Regional.