December Design Competition 2014: Tubular Touchdown

[pabeekm]

With 100 footballs at their disposal, it seems very feasible that someone could make a team 71 in 2002 type bot, just pull a goal (or both) up to the feeder station, lock in place, and for the entire time before fourth down just funnel/chuck in balls.

That just seems like way too easy a way to do well in the game. Maybe less footballs should be available?

Originally Posted by pabeekm

With 100 footballs at their disposal, it seems very feasible that someone could make a team 71 in 2002 type bot, just pull a goal (or both) up to the feeder station, lock in place, and for the entire time before fourth down just funnel/chuck in balls.

What made 71 so deadly wasn't just the design, but the execution. These days with the added robots and the more powerful drive systems I don't think a 71 style robot would be effective in this game. It was something we all discussed before choosing it. I am in no way saying that it is better to go with a safer design, but a risky design like 71's requires proof of perfect execution to be successful, and that's proof that is hard to conjure in a design competition such as this one.

[Whippet]

It looks like about 190 footballs will fit in the rolling goal. I have simulated it and got 184 to fit. Anyone willing to verify that?

[rockychat3]

Is the ' 2" high 1" wide ' speed bump a typo? Based on the picture it looks like a semicircle.

Originally Posted by rockychat3

Is the ' 2" high 1" wide ' speed bump a typo? Based on the picture it looks like a semicircle.

You may be misreading - the document shows 2" high (2 inches high) and 1' wide (1 foot wide)