What will be the biggest change?

[Mike Soukup]

Originally posted by Tom Fairchild
The fact that it is difficult to drive someone else's robot is what would make that aspect of the game a good one to implement. Dean is talking about how FIRST does an excellent job of teaching children what its like to be an engineer. Look at the Segway - the ultimate in intuitive design. In this modern world of computers and cell phones, there is a huge need to make technology simple enough for the common person to be able to use it.

Sure the Segway is intuitive, but does that mean it's immediately comfortable to use and easy to master? I don't know, I've never ridden one, but I've seen people ride them for the first time on TV shows. They did not look confident, nor were they gracefully and quickly moving around like Dean does, it takes time to be that good. Every device, no matter how simple it is takes a few minutes to grow comfortable with and master.

Two robots with the same IFI single stick control system can behave completely differently depending on motor choice, gear ratios, wheelbase, etc. A good driver could drive either robot but it would take a minute or two in order to get completely familiar with the feel of each bot & to master them.

We've briefly had this discussion before. For more of Tom's and my comments see http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...=&threadid=330

Mike