Bad Robots

[ttldomination]

Originally Posted by wesbass23

I agree with MrTechCenter

Biggest advice I can give is to not try and do too much in your first year. Too many teams (veterans included) try and do too many things and end up not being able to do any one thing well. Focus on getting a strong working drivetrain If you go with a basic tank drive (also my recommendation), use at least 4 cims). Many teams are looked over in alliance selection if they have a poor drivetrain even if they have functioning other parts of their robot. After you have a working drivetrain, focus on getting one mechanism working for the current years game. Like this year, an arm to posses the ball and let go will make you extremely valuable to teams at regionals. Finally, seek out veteran teams who seem to know what they are doing if you need help (you are already ahead in that aspect). Good Luck!

Originally Posted by EricH

This. This. And THIS.

Robots that can't play the game more than just defense? All too common. Robots with nonfunctional scoring mechanisms? All too common.
Robots that are too complex? See last two statements...

So, this is important, yes, but I'd be careful not to go too far onto this side and forget to challenge yourself. I've seen many a team and leaders who have preferred to be complacent and not attempted to try to go the extra mile.

There's a line between 'not doing too much' and betraying the program by not challenging yourself. Toeing the aforementioned line is what teams of all levels struggle with.

- Sunny G.

[AustinH]

Understanding the logic behind the Minimum Competitive Concept in conjunction with getting early practice building drivetrains in the off season (and driving the heck out of them) will put you off to a great start. Depending on your region, there are probably veteran teams in your area with old kit chassis that either went unused or are obsolete. Be sure to contact veteran teams in your area to see if you can have one (special shout out to 360 for doing just that). For a control system, even something as simple as a 4 channel RC airplane transmitter/reciever combo and some spare motor controllers (jaguars, talons, victors, etc.) is sufficient to replace a $500 cRIO/digital sidecar combo if your only goal is to drive around (though you'll still have to get a battery and an electrical distribution setup going). Our first "robot" did nothing other than trundle around at a very slow clip, but if you set up a basic obstacle course, you instantly have a Tank Drive 101 class for new drivers.

We used essentially this package right here. It won't get you programing practice, but it's a very low-cost start.

[evanperryg]

Originally Posted by wesbass23

Biggest advice I can give is to not try and do too much in your first year. Too many teams (veterans included) try and do too many things and end up not being able to do any one thing well. Focus on getting a strong working drivetrain If you go with a basic tank drive (also my recommendation), use at least 4 cims). Many teams are looked over in alliance selection if they have a poor drivetrain even if they have functioning other parts of their robot.

All of this is very true. My team has made better robots in our last two years than we have ever made before, and it is because we have done specific things very well. In 2013, we focused on getting a really consistent shot. We did it, and ended up with our first regional win ever(albeit as a second pick defensive bot). One of the first things we look at is drivetrains. In fact, it is a deciding factor in who even gets on our pick list and who doesn't. Very, VERY few weak drivetrains ever make it onto our picklists. A good, powerful tank drivetrain means that even if your bot isn't the best at playing offense, you may get picked for your strong defensive capabilities. Look at 5125 at midwest regional. Their entire robot was a simple kitbot drivetrain. However, it was done so well it could push almost every robot at the event. Even through there were still collecting and scoring robots still available, they were the first alliance's second pick and ended up winning the regional.

To answer OP's questions, it really does vary based on what regional you attend. There are some locations where most teams have great resources and can make great robots. Other locations may not have as many resources, possibly caused by a lack of students, mentorship, or sponsorship.

[Akolbi]

I DEFINITELY agree with hedgehog on the failure aspect. One of the things he didn't mention was the the main feature of our robot, namely a large shield, was actually making the best out of a bad situation. we had meant to make the robot climb the pyramid (the endgame last year) and get 30 points. after we failed at doing that, we decided to build a shield, making use of the existing mechanisms. It worked for us. (it also made a stylish way to show off our tshirt)

also, a corollary to failing, everything will break. We literally had no system on the robot NOT break by the end of last year, the omniwheels even fell apart, and the kit wheels are BALD (to the point where i'm surprised the DMV didn't say anything )

Good luck next year, I hope you do well! You're already thinking like a veteran. just be prepared to work some late nights, and NEVER lose hope in yourself, your robot, and most importantly, your team!

[techtiger1]

Congrats you have experienced the great divide.