Limit team $

[Macktack]

They should split all of FRC into two divisions, professionally built robots (e.g. robots built by NASA and GM and Boeing) and a division for student build robots. Teams that just assemble their robot from a kit that a profesional company built for them should not be allowed to compete with the student built bots. Having an alliance of GM, NASA and Boeing beat an alliance of student built robots benefits non of the students.

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by Macktack

They should split all of FRC into two divisions, professionally built robots (e.g. robots built by NASA and GM and Boeing) and a division for student build robots. Teams that just assemble their robot from a kit that a profesional company built for them should not be allowed to compete with the student built bots. Having an alliance of GM, NASA and Boeing beat an alliance of student built robots benefits non of the students.

I would wager only a team or two (tops) would be in that "kit assembled" division...

[Craig Roys]

I would argue that only the robot expenses give teams an advantage and that is capped at $4000.

Does the team who flies to an event have a strategic advantage over a team who takes a school bus or carpools? How about the team that has to get hotel rooms and uniforms for 50+ students vs. the team with 10-15 students? What about off-season community service events? There are numerous other examples of where a team may spend more money without gaining any strategic advantage.

[Don Wright]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

I would wager only a team or two (tops) would be in that "kit assembled" division...

Yes...we know that our robots would be in that division... Everything is so carefully planned out and nothing looks like it was added on after the initial design...ever.

We are sorry.

[Gregor]

Where did this notion of trying to even the playing field come from, and why are people trying to enforce it?

[akoscielski3]

Originally Posted by Gregor

Where did this notion of trying to even the playing field come from, and why are people trying to enforce it?

I know exactly where it's coming from. As children we were babied, we got everything handed too us. Everything was made easier as to not hurt our feelings or make everyone feel like a winner. Unfortunately it has gotten so mad that in some kids sports they dont keep score because "everyone's a winner."

Now we expect this same kind of treatment as young adults, but sorry kids, you need to wake up to live in the real world.

Life is not fair, get used to it!

[George1902]

Isn't coopertiton about working to reach higher than our peers rather than dragging them down?

In that light, we should be efforting to bring each team's budget *up* to $50k, not limit our brightest stars to that level.

[waialua359]

Being from Hawaii, I find this thread quite amusing.
Pretend you're us but you live where you do, and all FRC events are held in Hawaii, minus your home event. How much would that cost you?

FRC is an international world event, not a US mainland one only.

[SteveGarward]

This amuses me somewhat too. Being (originally) from Australia, consider teams outside the US - in Australia, Israel, Turkey... Limit the team $$$ and you limit this to a (mainland) North America competition.

I have some similar issues with the district model because of similar distance/cost issues, but that is for another thread somewhere.

Apart from that, I don't think you can reasonably limit the amount of money a team puts in to inspiration, for their own team or for the community beyond the team, if they are willing to work for it.

[Phyrxes]

Looking at our yearly robotics budget (not just FRC) the largest dollar value items were hotel stays, bus service, and airline tickets.

I want to be able to take as many students as possible to an event so I accept that this is not going to change.

[treffk]

Originally Posted by Macktack

They should split all of FRC into two divisions, professionally built robots (e.g. robots built by NASA and GM and Boeing) and a division for student build robots. Teams that just assemble their robot from a kit that a profesional company built for them should not be allowed to compete with the student built bots. Having an alliance of GM, NASA and Boeing beat an alliance of student built robots benefits non of the students.

I wish I knew where to find the quote to support this but FIRST doesn't really care who builds the robot. They care about inspiring students. Not all students are inspired the same way. For some it happens with hands on work others they have to take a step back and take a hands-off approach.

I pulled this mission statement directly off their website but the emphasis is mine:

Our mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.

The student built robot/professional or mentor build robot topic has been beaten to death. This does not happen as often as we think it does. Students can have some awesome mentors that help them and coach them while building a phenomenal robot. Not all students know how to operate some machines/tools or cannot operate manufacturing machines/tools due to restrictions. This makes mentors necessary when it comes to building specific parts or components.

[Akash Rastogi]

Originally Posted by Macktack

They should split all of FRC into two divisions, professionally built robots (e.g. robots built by NASA and GM and Boeing) and a division for student build robots. Teams that just assemble their robot from a kit that a profesional company built for them should not be allowed to compete with the student built bots. Having an alliance of GM, NASA and Boeing beat an alliance of student built robots benefits non of the students.

As a Boeing team (3929): lulz

I don't think this is how the rest of 1218 views FIRST, at least, from my experiences with them.

I find it funny someone from Chestnut Hill would post in this thread, especially Peter's son.

[PayneTrain]

Originally Posted by Akash Rastogi

As a Boeing team (3929): lulz

I don't think this is how the rest of 1218 views FIRST, at least, from my experiences with them.

I find it funny someone from Chestnut Hill would post in this thread, especially Peter's son.

For Macktack

This is not the NFL. There is no salary cap. There is no revenue sharing. The only limits in the end, are what you try to accomplish with what you have and how much you're willing to do to get more.

[Bob Steele]

Phrase of the day:

The Tall Poppy Syndrome...

look it up...

[Iaquinto.Joe]

Isn't there a quote out there that says that you don't progress by dragging the rich down, but by raising the poor up?