Whats your honest opinion?

[Sean]

*To start this off I believe I took my time to step back and form a very honest and true opinion of the format that FIRST follows and the general problems they seem to have. This post does not represent the views of team 151 but of a concerned participant in a competition with issues to resolve*

This year has been a change of pace for me. My FIRST year I was very supportive and almost a cult follower of FIRST and Dean Kamen. After starting to compete in other robotic competitions there has been a severe wake up call to me with everything associated with FIRST. This is my second year in the program. I believe that there is a number of things that FIRST should change and must change in order to be a truly educational program that rewards those who excel. (This is not saying my team deserved more than they got). Looking at the teams who made it to the Finals at Nationals the robots themselves were not impressive. (nothing against those who won) If FIRST wants to be a more popular program (im talking televised) they have to design the tournements to lend torwards more impressive robots. I was not impressed with the robots and I have talked to many other people who share the same sentiment. When its the stuff that falls under questionable areas rules wise (ie robots getting flipped over and robots just generally getting beat) that sparks the most interest the rules are obviously focusing on the wrong aspects. I agree with what Chuck Yager (sp?) said at the closing ceremonies, "I wish you guys could stap bombs on these guys and blow each other up" Now, I dont think it should be bombs, but I do think that combative strategies against other robots should not be as big of an issue.

In February I was happy to participate in a smaller form of battlebots in Pennsylvania. (not associated with Battlebots) This competition has several different weight classes ranging from 1 pound to 60 pounds. The event was held during the Motorama event. The event was held by NERC. After the event going to the FIRST regional was much of a shock. The amount of rules and regulations that FIRST has on the building of the robot is extreme and in some case out of hand. One of the more prevalent examples was the 10 gauge wire to the Globe motors that come prewired with a smaller gauge. Another issue with the regional included misinformed judging staff. During the inspection I was told that we needed a pressure gauge after the 60 psi regulator. At first I assumed that FIRST just didn't want teams "altering" the regulator or they didn't trust the manufacturers specifications. At nationals I was surprised to learn that this gauge was not required. The FIRST staff needs to realize that the manufacturers have tested their design and know its limits (IE the manufacturers will supply the wire the motor needs) Also the FIRST judges should be better informed about the rules and regulations.

Returning back to the fighting robots, they all run at least at 12 volts, and this is for robots that are a fraction of the weight of a FIRST robot. The 30 pounder (named JB Johson) that my group brought to Motorama used the Atwood mobile motors that are the same type as those that came with the 2002 kit. (usually refereed to Chipuahuas or CIMs) it ran 24v Victors (from Innovation FIRST) and it ran at 18 volts. All this for a 30 pounder. FIRST should realize that in order for robots to be more impressive they should bump the voltage up a bit and also improve the motors that are in the Kit. The motors do not lend themselves to a 130 pound robot. (On our next version of JB will probably run off 4 Atwoods all this on a 30 pounder!!!) First should realize the motor needs that a 130 pounder can have and supply us with motors that fulfill that need. IFI already carries 24 volt victors so a change from 12 volts to 24 would not be extremly hard. Plus it would expand the opportunities for Innovation FIRST.

If any of you haven't read Gearheads I suggest you go get yourselves a copy.
But in the book it talks about what Kamen had of a first impression of Battlebots. I was uneased by his view of Battlebots. As a whole i believe that the fighting robots comunity represents a group of closely knit friends that come together and have a great time fighting robots. (by the way if any of you saw the battlebots episode of CSI the portrayal of builders was completely wrong)

After the FIRST regional I decided that I was going to work harder trying to promote fighting robots. This led to the Formation of NHCRC, a club I founded at my high school to hold public robot events and feature a variety of robotic projects, ranging from 1 to 12 pounds (eventually larger). On a closing note after my experience in Houston, Texas for the FIRST Nationals, I plan on taking my group from NHCRC and competing in battlebots IQ, as well as participating in FIRST next year. (Battlebots IQ is a program designed as BATTLEBOTS version of FIRST. Check out Battlebots.com for more information)

Also, as a reminder, anything I have stated here is simply my own opinion and does not reflect the views of my team(s).

For more information on small Fighting robots you can vist
www.poundofpain.com
www.sozbots.com
www.robotconflict.com
For information on battlebots IQ you can visit
www.battlebots.com