Reaching maximum efficiency

[Mulcahy]

I cannot speak for 1717, because I have never been to their shop. (and they are just naturally good!)

But I do know some of 987's secrets...

When I'm not building robots - I'm racing ATV's. I run a pit crew for a Professional Rider, who is constantly being asked, by up and coming racers what they can do to make their machine faster. His answer is not some new whiz bang product. It is practice, Then practice, Then practice some more.
His answer is not unique - almost any professional, in any sport will tell you the same thing.

Whatever your position on a team is, find someone who is better than you and learn everything you can, then find someone who is better than them and learn everything you can, and keep going...

As Nuttyman had pointed out, 987's accuracy was not great at the beginning of the season. The fine tuning happens on the practice field - during hundreds of hours of practicing, and programming revisions. Build a prototype and wear it out. If a part is going to fail, let it show up in practice, and not during an event. If a part does fail during a match, hopefully all of that practice will help your team compensate.

Several Saturdays before the regionals, 987's shop is open to assist with construction, and allow teams without a field to work out the bugs. A schedule is posted on team987.com during the build season. I hope to see you there .