All,
I have kept silent even though I have some pretty strong opinions about the way the game was called in week 4. There was definitely a major change in interpretation of G25 from week 3 to week 4. All I will say about it is this: G25 is clear as written (that is why this update didn't address it, I'm sure), but the interpretation changed from week 3 to week 4. I have been at an event each week either working as MC or announcer or competing and week 4 was different (at least at MidWest). The biggest difference was the "over aggressiveness" call. Notice that G25 never says anything about over aggressiveness. During week 4, over aggressiveness was being inferred from G25, but I do not know why. I have since read the rule many, many times and each time I read it it is very clear and concise. Good defense is a great part of this game and should not be discouraged. I agree with Travis that the tipping and pulling high rules and the ramming rules are good, but we should not over apply the rules.
Travis,
Regarding the data sharing and drive train emphasis: We needed drive train emphasis! How many competitions did you go to last year or in 2003 where a robot was not even driving? Or a robot was driving in circles? Or a robot was tripping breakers every 10 seconds? The main focus was "get everyone driving a soon as possible with a robust system." Mission accomplished. Teams had more time to spend on arms, etc and everyone I saw was driving around on week 1! You said in your post:
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I know FIRST is delivering these common frame and drivetrain components to teams, hoping they'll all create the same base frame and drivetrain in a short amount of time, leaving them to focus more on complex manipulator designs. This is a commendable undertaking on their part. Is FIRST succeeding in that task? I'm not sure. But it seems to me that if we truly want to elevate the technology level of all teams, we shouldn't just assume that they're all going to do it by themselves once they have their stock frame and drivetrain.
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Is FIRST succeeding? Absolutely! Did you see Finger Lakes during week 1? Rookies had amazing arms. Teams that normally do not have manipulators had great manipulators. Four rookies were in the top 8 and that was at a regional with teams like 494, 639, 191, 237, 229, 1126, 340, and a few other crafty veterans. Can we add more to the knowledge base for manipulators? Sure, but this was an amazing start. Here are some facts about the kit transmissions that you may or may not have known:
1. There were 4 CIMS in the kit (O.K. You knew that)
2. You could use more than two transmissions on your robot.
3. There was a configuration of the kit transmission that you could combine two transmissions and use it for arms almost out of the box.
4. Many veteran and rookie teams used the arm configuration, including the mighty arm of 45.
5. Many other teams used one kit transmission with a F.P., a globe, or a van door motor for an arm configuration.
While I agree the community could step up more to share arm ideas, we have taken great strides this year to accomplish those means.
-Paul