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Originally Posted by Charlie B
The difference is that these products are designed and manufactured specifically for FIRST robotics. They would not be used for anything else.
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We have only been selling products for 2 months, and people have already inquired about using our product on non-FIRST applications.
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Originally Posted by Charlie B
I admire the entrepreneurial spirit, and I'm tempted to use the products myself, but I'm afraid that this could eventually lead to a situation that would compromise FIRST's objectives.
Now I can buy a transmission component, or an entire transmission. Why not a chassis, or a chassis with transmissions, wheels, axles, chains, sprockets? It might come in four wheel, six wheel, or omni wheel versions. All I would have to do is drop in the kit parts and I'd have a box that moves.
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Having a box that moves... this is a good thing. I have seen countless teams show up to a competition with a box that does not move. Many of these teams don't come back to FIRST the next year. I don't see how providing teams with competitive assemblies is compromising FIRST's objectives. Part of engineering is inventing and creating while another part of engineering is using the tools available to you as a creator. These gearboxes and omni-wheels are nothing new. Many teams have used them over the past few years.
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Originally Posted by Charlie B
Then I could focus on designing and building the appendages. Or maybe I could buy those too, with a guarantee that they'll get to me before the ship date. The deluxe package would include two sets of everything, one to ship and one to practice with. If I were on a tighter budget, at least I could buy a "Game Analysis Report" a week after kickoff, to save me the trouble of coming up with my own strategies.
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Appendage design will greatly depend on how the game changes from year to year, so this seems unrealistic to me. Also, if this would happen, teams are again only buying standard parts that anyone can buy. While this may get them a good robot, it would not provide them a decided edge or unique ability. Also, your "Game Analysis Report" you can get for free on this website, in the form of opinions, Excel spreadsheets, and scouting reports.
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Originally Posted by Charlie B
Maybe I'm stretching the possibilities too far, but maybe not. Might the focus of FIRST move away from engineering? Is it possible that teams would spend all their time raising money to buy the best "standard" components, at the expense of the design experience?
One could argue that "standard" components allow under-resourced teams to build something that moves. But FIRST already does a pretty good job of providing the components for a very basic robot.
Andy, I'm sure that you're started your business intending to benefit FIRST, and not just to make a buck. I would hate to see you lose time and money, but I'm honestly concerned about what FIRST-custom products might mean for FIRST over the long term.
Question for Dave Lavery... Should the rule makers consider disallowing products that are designed and manufactured specifically for FIRST robotics?
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One of FIRST's goals is to change the culture. I enjoy hearing Woodie speak of celebrating what we want to honor in our culture. FIRST honors FIRST teams. FIRST honors entrepreneurs, designs that work well, and a competitive spirit. FIRST also honors those people and companies who have supported FIRST and teams over the years. You are now proposing that a company should be disallowed to create parts for FIRST and FIRST teams? We want more FIRST teams, more kids affected by FIRST, but companies can't make parts targeting those teams? This seems back wards to me. I would think that the FIRST community would embrace a company who targets their products to help FIRST teams.
Andy B.
ps... off the subject, we just lowered our 8" Trick Wheel price to $70 each.