Robowranglers 2015: Batman & Robin

[Cory]

Originally Posted by lcoreyl

I’ll start: I’m going with all 30 alliance station totes making 5 x 6 tote stacks with >=3 of those with a noodled RC on top is their “no problem” baseline. 28 auto + 30x2 totes + 3 n6RCs = 178?

It's funny that you're assuming their baseline will be 5 6 stacks, based on a video that is sped up.

That being said, I would not be surprised if they do 5 6 stacks regularly.

Their max scoring ability is almost irrelevant come elims, unless they are able to pick partners who can acquire recycling cans off the platform in auto (but it should put them in great position to seed high enough to pick those teams).

[maxben34]

Their strategy is brilliant. Robin is always stacking totes from the HP. While that's happening, Batman is either picking up a can to put on top of Robin's stack or moving a full stack with a can to a scoring platform. By the time either of Batman's objectives are complete, Robin is surely already done with a 6 stack which allows this dynamic duo's productivity to skyrocket. The autonomous with catwoman(the winch) is also a brilliant tactic, as it puts the cans in an accessible position for Batman to grab them quickly and stack them ontop of Robin's 6 stack.

It's difficult to say how many stacks they can effectively do in a 2:15 period on their own, but I'd say that 148 will be better than most combinations of 2 robots and in some cases, even an entire alliance.

The thing that amazes me the most is how simple the designs of each of their three robots are and how potentially "game-breaking" this really is.

There is no doubt in my mind that Team 148 will be going far.

[Jared]

Originally Posted by Cory

It's funny that you're assuming their baseline will be 5 6 stacks, based on a video that is sped up.

That being said, I would not be surprised if they do 5 6 stacks regularly.

Their max scoring ability is almost irrelevant come elims, unless they are able to pick partners who can acquire recycling cans off the platform in auto (but it should put them in great position to seed high enough to pick those teams).

This is very true. If an alliance grabs all four cans from the center, giving them a total of seven, and makes 4 six stacks with cans and noodles, they'll get 168 points. Making these four stacks requires 24 totes, almost all that are in the feeder station, but I don't think this is too unreasonable for a good alliance.

If the opposing alliance has only three cans, and they make three six stacks with noodles and cans, they'll get 126 points. To get even with the other alliance, they need to score 42 more points, which is 21 more totes to stack. That means they'll have to take take totes from the landfill, and have a total of 7 stacks on the field, 3 six stacks with noodles + cans, 3 six stacks, and 1 3 stack.

[lcoreyl]

Originally Posted by Cory

It's funny that you're assuming their baseline will be 5 6 stacks, based on a video that is sped up.

You know what happens when you make assumptions about assumptions... I believe we are stacking donkeys??

The assumption is based on 135 sec / 30 totes. I'll bet that Robin and the HP are limited by the speed of the operation of the chute door. Yes, chute door. I've not played with these, but it looks like a 3 sec/tote is reasonable. They've always looked well practiced in the past, so I'll also assume that Robin won't be spending much time waiting for Batman to move out a stack, and this would give them 9 sec/move out. These estimates would also give them 18 sec/RC to acquire and noodle. I didn't account for stack placement, but this still seems reasonable.

[William Powell]

We appreciate the amazing feedback from the FIRST community. We’ve been humbled by the overwhelming response from everyone. We would love to answer a few frequently asked questions about our robot(s).

How do you grab the recycling containers legally?
-The mechanism is supported between Batman and Robin with a string and not by the cans. With our interpretation of the rules, we believe that the mechanism is legal because it is not supported in any way by game pieces.

What is transport config?
- Batman and Robin hug with Alfred in between.


What is the combined weight?
-118.8 pounds

Can it setup in under 60-seconds?
-We were also worried about this, but our Drive Team has been practicing to make sure we meet the required time. With this practice we have no doubts about our drive team being able to set-up in less than 60-seconds.

Does your tether interfere with robots?
-After extensive testing we have come to a conclusion that our tether does not interfere with other robots. To ensure that there is no complications with our partners, we will have a detailed pre-match discussion about our tether and if they are comfortable playing with us.

Your pool-noodling seems illegal?
We weren't sure either. Thankfully the Q&A clarified:
http://goo.gl/0bCuu1

What intake wheels are you using?
-4” Sure-Grip Neoprene Drive Roller Wheels. We ordered ours from McMaster.

How long is the tether? What is it made of?
-25ft Batman to Robin, 17ft Robin to Alfred. It is made of VEXpro 12AWG Silicone wire covered by PET expandable braided sleeving.

How much does the tether weigh?
-6 pounds total for both tethers.

Who drives what robot? Does your Human Player drive Robin?
-The driver drives Batman and Operator drives Robin. Our Human player just human plays.

What is the 3rd robot called?
-The team has decided to name the third robot Alfred.


Where was your inspiration?
-We take inspiration from everywhere, but in particular some of the "out of the box" robots from the VEX Robotics Competition heavily inspired us. Tethered robots have been very successful in that competition for a few years.

Are the three recycling containers still attached to the winch at the end of auto?
-No, the "grappling hooks" are spring loaded and pull free when the recycling containers reach the end of travel.

We would like to thank everyone again for their questions and amazing feedback. I hope that these answers shed some light on our robot and design process. We look forward to competing at the Dallas and Las Vegas regionals and at the World Championship in St. Louis. If you are attending one of these events, please stop by our pit. The other students and I would love to answer any questions about our robot(s).

[cmrnpizzo14]

Well that summed it up quite nicely, thanks!

[dsirovica]

Bravo!

most shocking thing I haven seen in 5 years of FRC, I will now crawl back into my ancestral cave until the next ice age

[Thomas Steele]

I and all of my team have viewed this video, very unique design! Great job Robowranglers.

[Mike Marandola]

Originally Posted by William Powell

We appreciate the amazing feedback from the FIRST community. We’ve been humbled by the overwhelming response from everyone. We would love to answer a few frequently asked questions about our robot(s).

How do you grab the recycling containers legally?
-The mechanism is supported between Batman and Robin with a string and not by the cans. With our interpretation of the rules, we believe that the mechanism is legal because it is not supported in any way by game pieces.

What is transport config?
- Batman and Robin hug with Alfred in between.


What is the combined weight?
-118.8 pounds

Can it setup in under 60-seconds?
-We were also worried about this, but our Drive Team has been practicing to make sure we meet the required time. With this practice we have no doubts about our drive team being able to set-up in less than 60-seconds.

Does your tether interfere with robots?
-After extensive testing we have come to a conclusion that our tether does not interfere with other robots. To ensure that there is no complications with our partners, we will have a detailed pre-match discussion about our tether and if they are comfortable playing with us.

Your pool-noodling seems illegal?
We weren't sure either. Thankfully the Q&A clarified:
http://goo.gl/0bCuu1

What intake wheels are you using?
-4” Sure-Grip Neoprene Drive Roller Wheels. We ordered ours from McMaster.

How long is the tether? What is it made of?
-25ft Batman to Robin, 17ft Robin to Alfred. It is made of VEXpro 12AWG Silicone wire covered by PET expandable braided sleeving.

How much does the tether weigh?
-6 pounds total for both tethers.

Who drives what robot? Does your Human Player drive Robin?
-The driver drives Batman and Operator drives Robin. Our Human player just human plays.

What is the 3rd robot called?
-The team has decided to name the third robot Alfred.


Where was your inspiration?
-We take inspiration from everywhere, but in particular some of the "out of the box" robots from the VEX Robotics Competition heavily inspired us. Tethered robots have been very successful in that competition for a few years.

Are the three recycling containers still attached to the winch at the end of auto?
-No, the "grappling hooks" are spring loaded and pull free when the recycling containers reach the end of travel.

We would like to thank everyone again for their questions and amazing feedback. I hope that these answers shed some light on our robot and design process. We look forward to competing at the Dallas and Las Vegas regionals and at the World Championship in St. Louis. If you are attending one of these events, please stop by our pit. The other students and I would love to answer any questions about our robot(s).

Very interesting info. Is that velcro or rubber tread on the bottom of Alfred? Also, do you know if you'll have your build season photos on Flickr?

[BBray_T1296]

Originally Posted by Mike Marandola

Very interesting info. Is that velcro or rubber tread on the bottom of Alfred? Also, do you know if you'll have your build season photos on Flickr?

Can't be velcro. Hook and loop fastener is not allowed as a tractive device

See 4.2 R5

Traction devices may not have surface features such as metal, sandpaper, hard plastic studs, cleats, hook-loop fasteners or similar attachments. Traction devices include all parts of the ROBOT that are designed to transmit any propulsive and/or braking forces between the ROBOT and FIELD carpet.

[Mike Marandola]

Originally Posted by BBray_T1296

Can't be velcro. Hook and loop fastener is not allowed as a tractive device

See 4.2 R5

Doh! I wasn't thinking. I guess it's tread.

[tgross35]

If you don't mind me asking, what got Alfred declared illegal?

[Jacob Bendicksen]

Originally Posted by tgross35

If you don't mind me asking, what got Alfred declared illegal?

I believe it was ruled illegal since the strings connecting Alfred to the RCs weren't visible enough, and they posed a safety hazard as someone could have tripped.

[Ether]

Originally Posted by tgross35

If you don't mind me asking, what got Alfred declared illegal?

You can find the answer here:

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...7&postcount=76

[tgross35]

Originally Posted by Jacob Bendicksen

I believe it was ruled illegal since the strings connecting Alfred to the RCs weren't visible enough, and they posed a safety hazard as someone could have tripped.

Well that's a shame. Hope they will be able to do that before the next competition!