2005's game "Triple Play" included (introduced? it was my rookie year) the CMU camera. Some tetra game pieces had a plywood panel attached, with instructions for the exact shade of green to paint them. (Pix:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...TriplePlay.jpg)
The autonomous mode comprised finding the green panel with the camera and placing the tetra on a goal tower, along with some easier but less lucrative functions. The camera/plywood combination was a complete flop, and most teams didn't bother mounting the camera on their 'bot. 2006 "Aim High" introduced the green light panel, and in 2007 "Rack 'n Roll" there were four light panels. Now we have another optical element (or at least a hint), the IR sensor board. The trend from 2005 has been to include the camera/light combination and it's my guess it will continue. Of course, we'll find out soon!
On the west coast we'll be viewing the Kickoff at 7 AM (ugh). My admiration goes to the Alaskan teams (6 AM) and Hawiian (5 AM).
Programmers: check out my programming class: Chief Delphi => CD Media => White Papers => Applied Robot Programming for FRC 'bots