Is versatility a valid strategy in 2014?

[indagatrix]

I'm aware that it's generally recommended for your robot to specialize in one area, but considering the amount of teamwork involved in this year's competition as well as need for close cooperation with a variety robots, is versatility a reasonable strategy for this year's challenge? It seems like it would be a good idea to build a robot that can play a variety of "positions," so to speak. I think it would be doable with good planning provided that you can come up with creative solutions to combine systems/keep up your robot's quality.

[Zuelu562]

I'm hoping that my team's design can manage to do everything with the mechanisms we give it to do its intended task. A good shooter should be a good truss passer as well, and making your holder robust enough to handle a potential catching situation if necessary is a good idea.

This is something I've been pushing for my team to do since my first year with them. In 2012, we had a tube shooter that acted as our pickup and shooter. Because of the necessary rotation needed to use the same end of the tube as pickup and shoot, it turned out to be an extremely viable bridge tipper. This is the type of 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 mechanisms I love to see.

[rwkling1]

I feel that versatility is very important in this years game, you don't have to do everything perfect, it's very important to stratigize with the other teams on your alliance so you have the ideal setup.

[Michael Hill]

Sure, versatility can let you do a lot of things, but so can having a robot dedicated to picking up off the ground, storing, and spitting it right back out. You can still be a very valuable teammate this year by just driving around with the ball. Are you going to be on Einstein? Probably not, but maybe so if you are extremely good at picking up, driving and releasing quickly.

[Animal Control]

What you should do is be good in at least 2 if not more for a good idea for your robot.

[Chris is me]

You can be versatile without specializing in everything. There are some game tasks every robot has to do, that if you do well enough you can complement any alliance. Do those things well. Definitely do not try to "do everything" unless you really know what you're doing.

There are a bunch of ways to score points, but due to the momentum based nature of the game scoring points isn't about being able to do the hardest tasks - it's about being able to do what you can do as quickly as possible.

[TheMadCADer]

Originally Posted by Chris is me

There are a bunch of ways to score points, but due to the momentum based nature of the game scoring points isn't about being able to do the hardest tasks - it's about being able to do what you can do as quickly as possible.

It's also a cyclical game, meaning you need to do those things the same way every time, too.

Every driver I've ever worked with does best when they have a set of tasks that they just do over and over again, the same way each time. If you mess up a cycle this year it means you also throw off the rhythm of all the other drivers on your alliance at the same time. Be careful not to get in over your head, it can really backfire this year.

[cadandcookies]

I wouldn't say this year is any different than others in terms of versatility:

Do whatever you do quickly, well, and consistently, and you'll do well at competition.

Determining what you "do" is the tricky part there. As always, the trick is in realistically evaluating your team's resources. Push the envelope a little, but not too much. There's a difference between being on the cutting edge and being on the bleeding edge.

[artdutra04]

In Aerial Assist almost more than any other year, consistency > doing everything.

[CheerlessBear]

No matter what your robot dose in the end they all get the same thing done. What is going to make the difference this year is experienced drivers. I would suggest planning so that you have a large amount of driver practice and make your drivers be what is versatile.

[cadandcookies]

Originally Posted by CheerlessBear

No matter what your robot dose in the end they all get the same thing done. What is going to make the difference this year is experienced drivers. I would suggest planning so that you have a large amount of driver practice and make your drivers be what is versatile.

I'm not entirely sure what you mean by your first sentence, but I couldn't agree more with the rest of it. Driver practice is as if not significantly more important than anything you put on top of your driving base. If you lack the resources to create even a rudimentary practice field, look for teams in your area. If you live in any reasonably populated area, there's probably a team nearby that builds one. It's a great inter-team activity to practice together.

[Siri]

Originally Posted by Michael Hill

Sure, versatility can let you do a lot of things, but so can having a robot dedicated to picking up off the ground, storing, and spitting it right back out. You can still be a very valuable teammate this year by just driving around with the ball. Are you going to be on Einstein? Probably not, but maybe so if you are extremely good at picking up, driving and releasing quickly.

Agreed. This year even more than most, there are multiple potential places for almost any skill set on Einstein. Versatility in implementation is just as valuable as versatility in skill set. Understand all the many skill options, find one that you can be the best in the world at providing--even if it isn't something that feels as 'cool'--and do it.

[thursam]

My team has two main designs that they are working on right now, and most of the parts have more than one use.

1. Pick Up System
-- Moves to form catapult.
-- Moves to form a bowl for other teams to put a ball in

2. Catapult System
-- Can also double as a bowl to catch passes/throws

Based on our processes, it's not hard to modify simple mechanisms to have more than one purpose.