Water Game Next Year?

[Taylor]

Bill Miller said a similar thing at QCR. The crowd was awash in speculation, but I suspect he was dripping with sarcasm.

[Jenn Feathers]

Originally Posted by Flimsor

I was recently at the Seattle Regional and both Dean Kamen and Bill (the FRC director attended). Everyone keeps wanting a water game, and while i think it would be cool, robots and water don't mix. Scarily, both Dean and Bill were hinting at a possible water game next year. Bill even stated "To those of you asking for a water game, be careful what you wish for". So, are they being serious or just trolling us like FIRST does all the time? What do you think?

i would LOVE to have a water game!!! Underwater robotics competitions do exist, NURC for example. but wow!! thatd be pretty awesome to have a water game. I wonder if FIRST has ever thought about adding a water division to the four existing FIRST competitions?

[fox46]

I don't think water is as impractical as it is being made out to be. As far as the motors and battery etc are concerned, they will operate quite happily fully immersed in water (relatively clean water). Water as a matter of fact is non-conductive, rather it is the ions present in the water that account for the conductive nature. However, for driving motors and higher current loads, the power leak through the water is negligable. In fact, I have read several articles stating that the best way to break in one of the mabuchi-style motors is to immerse it in a glass of water and run it at low power for up to an hour. The problem with water and motors is corrosion which would have to be mitigated with sacrificial anodes or chemical inhibitors. The only trickky bit would be the electronics as they are indeed affected by current leak through water. FIRST would have to design and provide a waterproof control system. Something as simple as a waterproof Pelican case fitted with amphenol connectors or thru-case terminal strips would work quite well. An even cheaper solution would be military surplus ammunition boxes (cost about $5 each at surplus outlets) fitted with a lexan window to view the blinking lights and thru-case terminal strips for input/output connections. I know a number of people who have built waterproof cases for camcorders using these boxes. Model RC boats seem to do just fine so why not robots??

As for the venue, I think the only place you will have issues are gymnasiums with hardwood floors. Convention centers and arenas will have no problem dealing with water due to concrete construction and floor drains. Heck- in Toronto they flood an arena 5 feet deep and drive powerboats around towwing wakeboarders for the Toronto Boat Show! I have also attended several events where organizers have set up above-ground pools to hold mock RC warship battles and such. It's not out of the question IMO. Such a field could be filled from any standpipe or fire hose in no time and drained using a portable gasoline utility pump outside into a storm drain.

I do however think that FIRST is too "lazy" to pull something like this off. It is just so much easier for them not to bother.

[MrForbes]

Originally Posted by fox46

I don't think water is as impractical as it is being made out to be.

Yes, it is....

I do however think that FIRST is too "lazy" to pull something like this off. It is just so much easier for them not to bother.

I think there's a difference between being realistic, and being lazy. Although they often go together.

[Brian Selle]

I agree this is all quite impractical at the local level, but just to run with the idea... how about a pool the size of the current field 4-6" deep and the robots are jet boats with bumpers. A max weight 120lb bot would draft < 4".

The KOP contains 3 pairs of rubber boots and 3 offical FRC towels. It would certainly be exciting.

[Jenn Feathers]

but still atleast 6" thick acrylic walls would be needed to hold back the water, take a hit from the robots, and give the audience a clear view of whats going on under the water. perfectly clear 6" thick acrylic is quite expensive.

[RobotMom]

Originally Posted by SuperNerd256

Not trying to be rude, but seriously, this is getting old.

Don't forget... plenty of kids are always new to FIRST and/or Chief Delphi ~ it isn't old to everyone.

I've heard this question brought up many times from members of our team. Although impractical... I love hearing them "dream big".

[sodizzle]

Originally Posted by Samwaldo

First of all a water game is impractical!!!! If the venue even allowed a field with water on it, then FIRST field set up would have to figure a way to transport water to the field, probably being buckets if a hose was not long enough. Also leakage would be a huge problem. Lastly putting away a wet field would Be difficult due to slippage but also FIRST volunteers would have to figure a way to get rid of the water.

Exactly, plus teams would have to practice somehow. Rookie teams that year would be absolutely screwed. Not every team has the ability to have a pool for them to practice in. Then even the teams that might be allowed to use a pool, say from a local YMCA, could not be allowed to have it isolated for as long as they would need it to practice. For safety reasons (electricity and water) there would not be anyone in the water with the robot. I just don't see a water game in any form ever happening.

[techhelpbb]

Ice rink as in ice skating. Then it's a game on water.

[jblay]

Originally Posted by techhelpbb

Ice rink as in ice skating. Then it's a game on water.

That's basically what lunacy was.

[RobotMom]

Originally Posted by sodizzle

Rookie teams that year would be absolutely screwed. Not every team has the ability to have a pool for them to practice in. .....

Nor the ability to shell out money for safety glasses AND safety goggles.

[DominickC]

Originally Posted by KevinGoneNuts

The most they would ever do would be something like having balls with different chemical symbols and then having us make Water by putting them in the right order....

This! This might just be the greatest troll of all times.

[Grim Tuesday]

I'm curious; when did the "water game" meme begin? It would be interesting to trace it back to its roots. Considering the age of Chief Delphi, it would actually be a really early meme, as they go.

[Tom Ore]

I'm still hoping next year's game involves wind machines and artificial lightning.

[bduddy]

Originally Posted by Grim Tuesday

I'm curious; when did the "water game" meme begin? It would be interesting to trace it back to its roots. Considering the age of Chief Delphi, it would actually be a really early meme, as they go.

I made a thread on this a little while ago. It dates from at least 2001.

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...66#post1064566


(I wouldn't be surprised if one day, there was a game involving water in some way (not the whole field, for sure!)...