Are two sets of bumpers necessary?

[Suitster]

Our team had six old robots donated to us from our sponsor, they were from a team that had disbanded (211-MAK), and were from 1999-2005. As some of you may know, the indicator lights back then were rotating emergency lights. Switching from red alliance to blue was as easy as pulling the plastic cover off the light and putting it on another.

For whatever reason, that method was discontinued in favor of making two sets of bumpers.

I propose that we go back to making one set of bumpers, that can be made in any color, as long as the numbers are visible to to a reasonable astute observer. For differentiating between alliances, an LED strip could be mounted, such as http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=073-079

The strip could be mounted to the bumpers, or somewhere else on the exterior of the robot at or near bumper height, so that it would be visible to all sides.

• It would take little effort to switch between red and blue.
• A team could build one set of "show" bumpers
• Bumpers could be mounted more securely than if they need to be removed and replaced quickly

Thoughts?

[Cory]

We had LED's before (granted smaller and not as bright as what you linked)...they were terrible. You couldn't see them at all.

Keep the colored bumpers. It's the only truly uniform alliance identification.

You don't actually need 2 sets either. You can use bumper "skirts" or utilize fabric that folds back to reveal the second color.

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by Cory

You don't actually need 2 sets either. You can use bumper "skirts" or utilize fabric that folds back to reveal the second color.

2815 has done all of these--skirts (2010, 2011), two sets (2012), and reversible (2013).

Build the reversible ones; it's so much less stressful in the pits and still looks great!

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Ethan,
The rotating lights were abandoned because they weighed 2 1/2 lbs and reguired about 3-4 amps. One side of the case was also one of the power supply leads. Bumpers are so obvious that even rookie drivers can tell who is on their alliance.

[engunneer]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

Ethan,
The rotating lights were abandoned because they weighed 2 1/2 lbs and reguired about 3-4 amps. One side of the case was also one of the power supply leads. Bumpers are so obvious that even rookie drivers can tell who is on their alliance.

Not to mention the absurd size - it was pretty tough to find a place for it on the bot if you hadn't planned ahead.

In between those years, there have been a number of identifiers.
2008 had a flag you needed to place on your robot. The flag holder was annoying for short robots.
2009 used the trailer field component to identify alliance affiliation
2010 started the bumper colors per alliance.
Bumper colors are fairly superior.

[Nate Laverdure]

Originally Posted by engunneer

In between those years, there have been a number of identifiers.
2008 had a flag you needed to place on your robot. The flag holder was annoying for short robots.
2009 used the trailer field component to identify alliance affiliation
2010 started the bumper colors per alliance.
Bumper colors are fairly superior.

I'm still waiting for FIRST to adopt my projected pools of colored light idea

Cool bit of FIRST history in that thread, by the way.

[Siri]

Originally Posted by engunneer

In between those years, there have been a number of identifiers.
2008 had a flag you needed to place on your robot. The flag holder was annoying for short robots.

And at least at our events in 2007, if your flag fell off (like, I don't know, tangled into that completely not-tangle-hazard chained hanging rack), you lost your elevation points.

Bumper colors all the way. If you think the bumper rules are difficult to execute now, just imagine what electrifying* them would do.

*yes, I know, I know. But you get the point.

[ttldomination]

Originally Posted by Billfred

2815 has done all of these--skirts (2010, 2011), two sets (2012), and reversible (2013).

Build the reversible ones; it's so much less stressful in the pits and still looks great!

Hmm, can you provide a source for 'still looks great!'? I've yet to see a set of bumpers switchable bumpers that look as 'tight' as a single set.

- Sunny G.

[Siri]

Originally Posted by ttldomination

Hmm, can you provide a source for 'still looks great!'? I've yet to see a set of bumpers switchable bumpers that look as 'tight' as a single set.

- Sunny G.

Here's our Rebound Rumble robot at a November off-season last year. (It hasn't changed much since; just driver practice.) Most people cannot tell they're reversible even in person.

[fb39ca4]

We've made blue bumpers and red covers for them that we can take on and off.

[NXTGeek]

Originally Posted by NXTGeek

My team did this settup last year, and it was a dream... Well-designed bumpers are SO worth it. Here's a video of them in action: http://youtu.be/DlyujQaTLlA

...

[gabrielau23]

Wow...those are certainly impressive reversible bumpers. Before I looked at who posted I had tabbed the robot in front of you as the one bearing reversible bumpers. Wow.

[coalhot]

Originally Posted by ttldomination

Hmm, can you provide a source for 'still looks great!'? I've yet to see a set of bumpers switchable bumpers that look as 'tight' as a single set.

- Sunny G.

Here is 3929's second set of reversible bumpers. They look better on the robot, but unfortunately the people with the cameras haven't uploaded photos yet. I'll add them when they come up.

Also, these bumpers were made by one student, in two days. Our Chestnut Hill bumpers sucked, so he remade them. Pretty fine job.



Example of poorly made bumpers...

[Al Skierkiewicz]

I guess I should apologize here as WildStang painted their bumpers tie dye and put our team numbers on them in the beginning. It sounded like a good idea at the time that others took notice of.

[Suitster]

Okay, so I'm convinced by the consensus. Our team did make the reversible bumpers this year, which would require another attempt to get down pat.

Thanks for the input everyone!