Thread: Team update 16
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Unread 10-03-2010, 12:16
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Re: Team update 16

Quote:
Originally Posted by martin417 View Post
I was surprised at the <G46> penalties, not because the penalties were called, but because teams did not design their bot to prevent it. How hard is it to design a bot that doesn't allow a 3" penetration? Did teams not do testing prior to ship? The rule existed from the beginning. I hate to put blame on teams, but that was an easy thing to fix.

Before I get flamed, I am not talking about getting forced over a ball on a hump, or something un-avoidable. But if the ball can get under your bot just driving around, you need to make a change. You should have tested for this possibility. The rules were clear.
I think designing a robot to go over the bumps and one that will not allow balls to roll under it is very challenging. I am sure there are effective designs but just having a round object with a surface that grips makes it hard to stop. If the center of the ball can get under a robot then it is very easy to drive over that ball and trap it under neath. You cannot have a solid 'skirt' the rides low to the ground because it effects your ability to go over the bumps.

I am sure that teams have effectively designed there robot to avoid this (I hope we did!!) but I think it is more of a challenge then we thought it would be.
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