2015 Week Zero Lessons Learned

[Bryan Herbst]

Originally Posted by MooreteP

One more thought about Week Zero Events from the Suffield Shakedown:

With the new control system, we weren't able to use even FMS Lite.

A decision was made to do 5:00 minute matches, we scrapped the schedule, and basically did a filler line approach. Some Robots were on the field every 15 minutes.

We used the FMS lite just fine in MN. This guide to running a week zero in 2015 has helpful information on a few different options for setting it up.

I do agree that doing it without a schedule is the way to go- it is very difficult to create a schedule when teams want to spend the time improving mechanisms or testing out code in their pits. We just let them come and sign up for a slot in a match whenever they are ready.

Originally Posted by Chief Hedgehog

2. We had exactly '0' RC grapplers work (although 3130 had the apparatus - just didn't get to see it work). So if you are seeing success in your area, that means there is hope!

2052 has an RC manipulator- the one time the drivers picked one up they turned too quickly and it fell off. That mechanism is currently being improved

Originally Posted by Alex2614

This game is incredibly boring to watch... but I think most of us suspected that. Hopefully I'm proven wrong in the coming weeks.

In my experience, Week Zero events are boring to watch in general. This time last year, people were saying the exact same thing about Aerial Assist. Many teams don't use week zero events to compete at their highest level- they are primarily there to iterate on their designs. I am going to reserve judgement for a few more weeks.