[Doug G]

You are correct, no autonomous period until 2003. You could still write some auto code, but not many did, just for operational functions and systems.

I remember Team 60 was like Beatty at SVR that year. You could beat them, but you had to control the goals before they got to them. I distinctly remember one team that drove at ridiculus high speed as soon as the match started and rammed 60 so hard it broke one of their four drive transmissions. There were no bumpers back then. I still haven't heard a robot collision like that since.

Back on topic... I think pursuing this challenge within the constraints of FIRST is a bit silly and maybe not as inspiring as you may hope. Sure it may inspire you and a few hard core programmers, but what about the rest of the teams. I think a better challenge (or an alternate one) is to offer up a Championship Autonomous Trophy or something for the best auto mode next season. Don't let it be decided by points though, maybe teams submit their best auto mode video clip (from a regional/championship) to YouTube, have a panel decide on the top five and then the FIRST community vote on a winner. Maybe we find a sponsor for it like what AutoDesk does for CADders. This maybe more inviting for more programmers of various levels and hopefully inspire them to take on more challenging adventures like yours.