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Unread 20-02-2007, 11:55
meaubry meaubry is offline
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Re: Drive Systems... ...The FIRST Arms Race?

Just a couple of thoughts -
I believe that some parts of the robot are designed to meet the specifics of the game or the playing field. The reality is, that the drive systems can almost always be re-used from year to year, while end effectors almost always cannot.

Therefore, many of the off season and season2season improvements are focused on the drive system. With an unlimited supply of motors and alot of time - it is natural for this to happen. I'm actually surprised that nobody has developed a drive system using every motor in the kit.

I like some of the suggestions that Joe has made. Yet, I also like the increased variety and number of motors to choose from.

I think encouraging the management of power could be as much a challenge as managing size and weight. Learning to understand and deal with all of the challenges, could be very Inspirational (it simply depends on it is approached).

Alot depends on where you want to focus your attention on, and where you can save time and energy by re-using what has been proven out already.

My favorite suggestion to rebalance the reuse and elevated effort for more and more powerful drive systems, is to change the playing field such that the drive system contact surface is either slippery or moves under load. Do they make portable flooring for ice covered surfaces!

Great discussion
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