2013 Lessons Learned: The Negative

[CalTran]

Originally Posted by apples000

This isn't really a complaint, but in most matches in the events that I was at/watched, the announcer uses the phrase "pre-programmed instructions" to describe autonomous mode. Also, the check to see if the alliances are ready is useful. Just because a team's robot is connected doesn't mean that they have selected their auto mode on the smart dashboard. I've seen them start without everybody ready only twice, but it would be a good thing to bring back.

I'm not a programmer but what's wrong with calling autonomous mode "pre-programmed instructions"?

Also, I dunno if it applies to other regionals, but the two I drove at this year, if you held up a thumbs down they'd wait for you.

[apples000]

There's nothing wrong with pre-programmed instructions, but it gets a little repetitive to hear "In autonomous mode robots operate under pre-programmed instructions and score double points!" every time your match starts. Thinking back to it, it was only at one of the events that this was said every time.

[Gregor]

Originally Posted by apples000

This isn't really a complaint, but in most matches in the events that I was at/watched, the announcer uses the phrase "pre-programmed instructions" to describe autonomous mode. Also, the check to see if the alliances are ready is useful. Just because a team's robot is connected doesn't mean that they have selected their auto mode on the smart dashboard. I've seen them start without everybody ready only twice, but it would be a good thing to bring back.

If you're not ready have someone (Coach maybe?) wave your hands in the ref/MC's direction. They wont start without you if you make it known.

[BigJ]

Originally Posted by CalTran

I'm not a programmer but what's wrong with calling autonomous mode "pre-programmed instructions"?

Also, I dunno if it applies to other regionals, but the two I drove at this year, if you held up a thumbs down they'd wait for you.

Autonomous mode commands are programmed instructions. I don't program before I program

[Ginto8]

Originally Posted by BigJ

Autonomous mode commands are programmed instructions. I don't program before I program

But you don't program while the match is going on, hence pre-programmed

[Lij2015]

Originally Posted by Ginto8

But you don't program while the match is going on, hence pre-programmed

#beingthatguy
That'd make the entire match pre-programmed. XD

[orangemoore]

Originally Posted by Lij2015

#beingthatguy
That'd make the entire match pre-programmed. XD

Yes pre-programmed but not controlledb

[Gregor]

Cylinders are not fun to design for or inspect. A nice rectangular size constraint would be much easier on everyone involved.

The inconsistency between inspections at regionals (this is always something), but particularly shooter guards this year. This shouldn't be up to the LRI. It should have at least been adressed (one way or the other) after week 1 at the latest.

[Grim Tuesday]

Originally Posted by Gregor

Cylinders are not fun to design for or inspect. A nice rectangular size constraint would be much easier on everyone involved.

The inconsistency between inspections at regionals (this is always something), but particularly shooter guards this year. This shouldn't be up to the LRI. It should have at least been adressed (one way or the other) after week 1 at the latest.

The cylinder was the bane of my existence and invaded my dreams this year. I understand that challenging constraints can be lots of fun but this one seemed arbitrary. I think the reasoning for it was to accommodate the amorphous frame rules this year. Also, very few inspectors knew how to properly inspect for this, instead measuring maximum point-to-point distance instead of the actual cylinder. Some suggestions for better constraints:

-Max point-to-point distance on the robot
-Maximum extension from each side of the frame
-Max dimensions of a rectangular prism

[Moon2020]

Originally Posted by Gregor

Cylinders are not fun to design for or inspect. A nice rectangular size constraint would be much easier on everyone involved.

The inconsistency between inspections at regionals (this is always something), but particularly shooter guards this year. This shouldn't be up to the LRI. It should have at least been adressed (one way or the other) after week 1 at the latest.

Yes, agreed, inconsistent and confusing. Game rules vs robot rules. It's not just the cylinder or shooters, it's bumpers also. Everyone has different experiences and areas of expertise. RIs have to know every design solution a team may come up with and if it complies at all possible times of a match. Thus, please help us to help your teams.

For bumpers, I like to feel the bumpers and push on them to make sure of their construction and ensure they are secured to the frame. However, not every RI does the hands-on-the-robot approach when it comes to bumpers. Why do I have to feel the bumpers and push on them? Why can't I just look at them?

We want every team out on the field competing in their matches. It is our job to help the teams get out there on time and be successful; however, there is also a limit to what we can do in a few hours vs what the robot rules stated 6 or more weeks prior. Thus, I'm going to have to ask you all to meet us half way.

I am going to suggest that each team have a seasoned student compliance lead that goes through the rules and checklist criteria comparing them to the actual build of the robot to ensure compliance to the rules prior to bagging the robot. I say this because we have seen several cases where the team assumed the rules had not changed from the previous year and went to town on their build resulting in a very noncompliant robot showing up at a regional. Knowing this happens frequently, we have offered as well as other super experienced teams have offered to inspect the robots for compliance prior to bag and tag. Unfortunately, we do not get many takers of this valuable service.

[jawebste]

This was our first trip to the Championships. And while it was exciting and wonderful, and the access to seating was awful. And the teams that manage to make it in the morning and hold three or four rows are being incredibly rude and setting an awful example for our students.
The two wristbands for each team to be able to have at least two people see Einstein and then whatever they did so the teams playing there got preferential seating seemed to work, and that is a credit to the staff at the Dome. I was waiting near the entrance to the "pink band" seating to meet our captain to whom I was giving the band as he had to return from the pits. I was embarrassed by the number of people giving the Dome officials grief because the officials would not let them through without the correct identification. So not gracious.
If "scouting seating" has been discussed, then based on the behavior of the people in the stands, each field would require a couple of volunteers at all times to enforce the pin or badge system or whatever each team would be provided. But I would support this process and it would help the teams that are not able to stay right near the dome. Not every team can be right next to the stadium.
Someone in this thread mentioned big screens overhead broadcasting the matches to the pits, like the standings, and I think that would help ease the pressure in the seating area. But I would be a little concerned about safety as even with the standings some people get glued to the screen and overlook their surroundings.

[Gregor]

Not that this is new to this year, but the inconsistency weighing the withholding allowance.

I was 3 events Thursday morning, yet only one weighed the withholding.

[Siri]

Originally Posted by Gregor

Not that this is new to this year, but the inconsistency weighing the withholding allowance.

I was 3 events Thursday morning, yet only one weighed the withholding.

Somebody weighed the withholding? I haven't even seen this once in 7 years. We only ever weight ours out of habit.

[Gregor]

Originally Posted by Siri

Somebody weighed the withholding? I haven't even seen this once in 7 years. We only ever weight ours out of habit.

Thursday morning at Finger Lakes. I heard it happened last year at Queen City(?) too.

We were well under our withholding weight (20 lbs), so it wasn't an issue, but the fact that it happens somewhere and not others is the frustrating part.

[akoscielski3]

Originally Posted by Gregor

Thursday morning at Finger Lakes. I heard it happened last year at Queen City(?) too.

We were well under our withholding weight (20 lbs), so it wasn't an issue, but the fact that it happens somewhere and not others is the frustrating part.

Queen City it DID in fact happen. I remember because we had our bumpers outside of the bag so they had us weigh them. Also at Waterloo (2013) they had me weigh our sponsor panel that they saw me bringing in. I don't remember any other time we had to weigh our parts we were bringing in.

I wonder if The Aluminum Falcons had to weigh their new shooter and such this year after people saw them changing it in competition??