[=Martin=Taylor=]

This has been discussed here and there in other threads but I think we need a new thread addressing this debate specifically.

The way I see it, there are only two hurdling strategies: Lift it up, or toss if over.

1) Do you think it is possible to toss the trackball?
2) Do you think many teams will succeed at doing it?
3) What are the pros and cons of tossing?
4) What are the pros and cons of lifting?
5) What are the greatest technical challenges to overcome for both strategies?

I’ll start:

1) Yes, I’ll echo what others have said and say that FIRSTers will always find a way!

2) No, I believe the majority of teams will realize the difficulty of designing a device to toss the trackball and will choose to pursue other strategies. I predict that the handful of teams that DO decide to take on this challenge will realize the difficulty and have the technical know-how to make it work.

3)Pros:
Theoretically, a robot that could toss the ball and quickly pick it up again would be able to score at crazian-beattypoof speeds. Said robot could toss the ball over the overpass and pick it up seconds after it hit the ground. I think teams that can BOTH quickly pick-up and shoot the track ball will dominate this years game.

Cons:
Very few teams will be able to BOTH pick up and toss quickly. The way I see it, picking up these horribly bouncy balls (remember they have been dropped 6.5’) will be a great challenge in itself. After building a complex device to throw the ball many teams will skimp on the pick-up mechanism.
Another con is that these robots will probably not be able to place the ball on the overpass for bonus points. From my analysis I don’t think the end of game bonus points will be that important (you only get 2 more points than hurdling + crossing finish). Then again, end of game points have been important every year except 2005…

4) Pros:
I think this is the “safe” way to play this game. You probably won’t be able to score as fast as a good tosser/catcher, but if you design your robot to lift, chances are you will at least score a couple hurdles a match.

Cons:
Isn’t as fast as tossing.
Robots that use this strategy are also going to be more top-heavy, which means they won’t be able to take the turns as fast.
SOME designs will have trouble getting the ball OVER the overpass. Getting it up is only half the challenge. Getting it OVER is another…

5) Tossing:
Figuring out a way to launch the ball over 6.5’ feet and do it SAFLEY. By safely, I mean the robot won’t destroy itself OR its builders.

Lifting:
Figuring out a way to keep the CG low, and staying within the 80” diameter circle.