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sorry disagree
FIRST didn't cave to big name sponsors, they just made a bad rule. Look, for $3500 of fair market value machining and raw materials you get a drivable box. You do not get 4 wheel drive 4 wheel steering, shifting gearboxes, variable ratio transmissions, walking beam drives, crab drives or the fancy, amazing robots people like to watch. FIRST needs expensive, impressive robots so people will want to watch.
Let's look at this from the purpose of FIRST perspective. I want to get kids excited about manufacturing, engineering and technology. Should I show them what a nice machine shop can do with an aggressive, advanced design and let them see the possibilities? Or should I hand them a hacksaw and some tubing and say this is all we can afford, knock yourselves out. Both experiences have value. I guess it is a matter of opinion which is more inspiring.
By the way, it's not about politics. Dragging everybody down to the level of the least resourced teams is not fair and it is not right and it not good for FIRST.
James
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