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Re: Question of the Week!!! (10/11/04)
Know your capabilities, and don't try and build something outside of them...
This is my variation of the "Keep it Simple" rule. I love the KISS philosophy, but it doesn't apply to everyone. I mean, I don't really think that Wildstang or Beatty need to go build "simple" robots next year. But it is crucial that every team knows what they're capable of doing. Once you figure out your capabilities, do not try and exceed them.
Simpler and well done will always beat more complex but poorly built and unreliable. For some teams this means just building a box on wheels with limited functions, while for other teams it means not building a 8 motor swerve design.
I've seen to many teams fall face first when trying to do to much. By no means am I trying to squelch innovation, but teams need to remember that we all have reasonable limits.
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:: Karthik Kanagasabapathy :: "Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm" -- R.W. Emerson
My TEDx Talk - The Subtle Secrets of Success
Full disclosure: I work for IFI and VEX Robotics, and am the Chairman of the VEX Robotics and VEX IQ Game Design Committees .
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