2015 HINT DISCUSSION

[GeeTwo]

Originally Posted by EricH

Let's see... Rookies could theoretically manage any one of the following:
2010: push a soccer ball into a goal
2011: launch a minibot
2012: balance a bridge
2013: low goal points, at 1 point each, OR FCS blocker
2014: low goal/assist

How many of those require adding something to the chassis?

Let's make it easier. How many do NOT require adding something to the chassis?

*crickets*

Actually, we had an essentially square kitbot at our regional who managed several low goals and (herding) assists in 2014. The only thing "added to the chassis" not in the KOP were the mandatory bumpers. It also had a plywood cover flush with the top of the bumpers to protect the electronics, but it didn't help push the ball.

The last two years have had several scoring opportunities for a drive system with some totally static "manipulators", and defensive opportunities by simply getting in the way. As I recall, in 2012, something else had to move for you to influence the score - you couldn't get on a bridge without pushing it down outside your bumpers, and you couldn't pick up a ball either. You couldn't defend, since you couldn't get over the hump. I doubt that you could even drop a "startup" ball in a low goal without something moving.