[dtengineering]

Go GDC! Yes! Good call.

Okay, I know the GDC doesn't really need a cheering section, but I've once or twice (in seven years) spoken up when I didn't like an interpretation or ruling, so it's only fair to speak up with the ones I really like, too.

I think the witholding limit is one of the best "new rules" I've seen introduced into FRC. We realized the significance of it last year, and built two twelve pound drive modules and one fifteen pound control board. They could be easily bolted or unbolted from the robot. We kept them behind, strapped them on a plywood "dummy chassis" and did all our traction control work at spring break.

This year we've put all our electronics and pneumatic valves into a 20 pound control box, and built two complete chassis. One chassis will ship, along with the bumpers, weighing in at about 75-80 pounds. The control board, and backup chassis will stay behind, so we can practice driving, refine our software and still have 20 pounds to build a lift or some other mechanism as we watch and learn. If we build it right, it should be about 30 minutes of work in Seattle to upgrade the "competition" chassis and install the refined components. After the season ends, we'll probably retrofit each robot with an old IFI control system so we can play soccer matches at school.

This not only makes our robot better, but should reduce shipping costs and carbon emissions involved in shipping the robot. Win, win, WIN!

Jason

P.S. I know we can now bring the 20 pound control box plus an additional 45 pounds of stuff (20+45=65 pounds), but our plan has been to work within the 40 pound witholding limit all along, and we haven't been affected by snow (as anyone watching the "Winter" Olympics will know) and shouldn't need to take advantage of the increased limits.