2012 Texas Robot Roundup

[jessjank.]

Originally Posted by blondie624

So, just to make sure, should we assume no rule changes since we haven't heard anything yet?

Like last year, TRR waited on IRI's release of rules changes to review and decide if they will be adopted for our event. We have a planning committee meeting on Thursday, after which any adjustments to the rules will be announced. However, at this time I don't foresee us making any significant rules changes for TRR.

[AllenGregoryIV]

Originally Posted by jessjank.

Like last year, TRR waited on IRI's release of rules changes to review and decide if they will be adopted for our event. We have a planning committee meeting on Thursday, after which any adjustments to the rules will be announced. However, at this time I don't foresee us making any significant rules changes for TRR.

Not that my opinion matters, but I'm all for adopting the IRI rules change.

[JohnSchneider]

Originally Posted by AllenGregoryIV

Not that my opinion matters, but I'm all for adopting the IRI rules change.

I would have a vote on this, unlike what the IRI staff did...it's causing a little controversy over there.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by animenerdjohn

I would have a vote on this, unlike what the IRI staff did...it's causing a little controversy over there.

I wouldn't worry about it. Let's wait until after Thursday and see what is decided.

Jane

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by animenerdjohn

I would have a vote on this, unlike what the IRI staff did...it's causing a little controversy over there.

You are unfairly criticizing the IRI planning committee here.

The planning committee has always made rule changes of varying degree, and is run by some very qualified people for the job. They solicited input on chiefdelphi, they probably considered that input, and then made a decision. The fact that their decision upsets people does not mean it was made without input, nor does it mean it was an unfair decision.

[JohnSchneider]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

You are unfairly criticizing the IRI planning committee here.

The planning committee has always made rule changes of varying degree, and is run by some very qualified people for the job. They solicited input on chiefdelphi, they probably considered that input, and then made a decision. The fact that their decision upsets people does not mean it was made without input, nor does it mean it was an unfair decision.

My comment was worded a bit harshly, and incorrectly I suppose.

When IRI asked for input and took a vote, the voting went the other way of their decision. That's what got so many people riled up. I was suggesting that TRR do whatever the participants want...its just a fun off season event, plus things like the Co-op bridge may matter more to participants at TRR over that of the participants at IRI. Just a thought.

But that's my $0.02 which isn't really worth much since we aren't going to TRR ()

I however did not mean to offend if I did.

[jessjank.]

Reminder:
Registration for TRR 2012 closes after today!

The TRR planning committee met last night. I will send out an email with important information to all TRR teams this weekend and will post the details here. It will include the committee's decisions on rules changes, the TRr Skills Challenge rules, and options for additional robot entries for any remaining spots following the close of the "official" team registration period. Until then, let me know if you have any questions about registration.

[TheMadCADer]

Any news on where a webcast might be hosted? Some of us are going to be out of the country for TRR.

[jessjank.]

I just sent this email out to TRR Teams:

Texas Robot Roundup in now less than a month away! I have lots of important information for you. After reading over this email, make sure to fill out all requested forms/respond as necessary! If you have not yet, please send in your registration fee. I'm still working on getting a PayPal option available for those of you who need it. Thank you for your patience!


First, a quick request: If you have not yet responded to my previous request, please let me know if I may share your contact information with the other members of the Planning Committee. We're trying to plan something special for everyone coming in from out of the Austin area.


TTR Game Rules Changes:

1. +5 pounds allowed. Honor system unless referees question you.
2. Alliance selection is 1-8, 8-1, 8-1. Alliances select a 4th robot to play on their alliance. Use of this 4th robot is at the discretion of the alliance captain.
3. All other rules will be per the 2012 FRC Rebound Rumble game rules as interpreted by the TRR referees.

Opportunity to Register 2nd Robot:
Following the end of the Registration period, we have 4 slots available. One team dropped and all out of state teams initially expressing significant interest could not make it; we are still working with potential pre-rookies. The TRR Planning Committee has decided on the following:

• Teams are asked to fill out this form: goo.gl/A7LEv by the end of next Friday, July 7th, regarding their interest in entering a 2nd (practice, backup, etc) robot
• If no more than 4 teams already registered wish to register a 2nd robot, we will allow teams to enter 2nd robots
• If more than 4 teams wish to enter a 2nd robot, we will not allow teams to enter 2nd robots
• If the criteria above are met, interested teams will need to register their 2nd robot by Wednesday, July 11th
• Teams must pay the regular registration fee of $250 for their 2nd robot by Thursday, July 26th

Skills Challenge Rules:
See the attached document. Interested teams will be asked to sign up for a Skills Challenge time slot at registration. The Skills Challenge will occur at noon on Saturday, July 28th.


Mentors Tournament & Canned Goods Drive:
The Mentors Tournament will take place on Friday, July 27th, starting at 4:30pm. Alliance selection ran will be based on the number of canned goods donated to the host team's (ausTIN CANs, 2158) annual canned food drive by 4:00pm on Friday. Teams must select alliance partners outside the top 8. All other rules will be per the 2012 FRC Rebound Rumble game rules as interpreted by the TRR referees. The team who donates the most Canned Goods by noon on Saturday will be recognized with the Austin CAN Award.


I will continue to send additional information your way over the next few weeks. Please read them carefully! As always, let me know if you have any questions. We're looking forward to seeing you all at TRR 2012!

[jessjank.]

Originally Posted by TheMadCADer

Any news on where a webcast might be hosted? Some of us are going to be out of the country for TRR.

We're still working on this and will make sure to let everyone know as soon as we have that information available. Thank you for your patience!

[jessjank.]

Notes and Amendment regarding 2nd Robot Entries:

The intent for allowing a 2nd robot to participate for a team is to make sure that students get great opportunities at TRR. It is far from the intent of the committee to allow teams to get an unfair advantage. The following amendment is being put in place:

• The three students comprising the 2nd robot's drive team must NOT have previous experience driving at an official FIRST Regional or Championship event.

If interested or necessary, teams may combine to enter a 2nd robot in order to have enough students available to drive. Let me know if you have already responded to the survey and this changes your original answer. The original information on this topic can be found above.

[lynca]

Originally Posted by jessjank.

Skills Challenge Rules:
See the attached document. Interested teams will be asked to sign up for a Skills Challenge time slot at registration. The Skills Challenge will occur at noon on Saturday, July 28th.

I'm a big fan of skills challenge ! Thank you for holding a skills challenge.

I had a question about the rules,

make 4 baskets in the bottom hoop from a distance

I'm confused about bottom hoop, can this be any hoops or just the bottom hoop ?

[jessjank.]

Originally Posted by lynca

I'm a big fan of skills challenge ! Thank you for holding a skills challenge.

I had a question about the rules,

I'm confused about bottom hoop, can this be any hoops or just the bottom hoop ?

You're welcome. We hope this poses an interesting challenge for teams!

The rule means just the very bottom hoop only. This was decided as a special challenge for teams as the bottom hoop is rarely utilized during the course of the real game. If you have any additional questions or concerns, I can point you specifially to our Special Tournaments subcommittee in charge of the Skills Challenge and Mentor Tournament. Just let me know!

[lynca]

Originally Posted by jessjank.

You're welcome. We hope this poses an interesting challenge for teams!

The rule means just the very bottom hoop only. This was decided as a special challenge for teams as the bottom hoop is rarely utilized during the course of the real game. If you have any additional questions or concerns, I can point you specifially to our Special Tournaments subcommittee in charge of the Skills Challenge and Mentor Tournament. Just let me know!

I'm a bit worried about this bottom hoop rule skills challenge. But maybe I'm the only one...

I would prefer if we could just score on any hoop and get the corresponding points (3 for top, 2 for mid, 1 for bottom).

I would like to discuss the skills challenge rules more with your contact offline.

[midway78224]

Jess ,

I have a question about the skills challenge. If i understand correctly that all balls have to be touching your robot and two of the balls have to be in contact with the robot and key. My questions is at the start of the match can we harvester the other two balls so we have all four balls in our system and then take our shots or do we have to go by FIRST rules and only can have 3 balls in the robot.