2004 Pennsylvania Robot Challenge (PARC)

[Yan Wang]

After looking at the agenda, I was wondering if someone from 222 could confirm that there will not be a skills competition? (Last year it was stacking, laps, KotH, etc)

[team222badbrad]

Yan,

Correct there will be no skills competitions.

.... so many teams too little time!....

[Charlie222]

Originally Posted by team222badbrad

Yan,

Correct there will be no skills competitions.

.... so many teams too little time!....

Show your skills in the Finals!!!

[team222badbrad]

This is what the 2004 PARC T-shirt looks like: They are going to be $12

[Meredith Rice]

Originally Posted by team222badbrad

This is what the 2004 PARC T-shirt looks like: They are going to be $12

Oooooo! I like! I'm bringing my 12 bucks.

[Yan Wang]

639 members already ordered about 20 of them I hope you guys use this money to improve upon your awesome drivetrain.

I'd like to add something before Saturday... when I was driving in Canada during practice rounds, I became extremely pissed off when field crew members were taking sticks and pushing small balls into the corral. I understand that human players need practice, but in Canada, there was a pratice goal in the back for them. I wanted more practice herding but instead, the balls near the corral were nearly all gone. At PARC, our drive team will consist of completely new people who were part of the third drive team this year (backup). They have not competed yet, have not ever played on a real field, and have the least experience/skill (no offense guys). We are using PARC to train them more because chances are that they will become the second drive team next year (we alternate qualifying matches on 639 - first driver, me, does eliminations). I would greatly appreciate it, and so would that third drive team, if PARC field crew members would not herd balls for teams unless asked to. Practice rounds are for practice and should be used to simulate a real match as closely as possible. Interference is just annoying to the driver. Let him/her practice.

[Dave_222]

Originally Posted by Yan Wang

639 members already ordered about 20 of them I hope you guys use this money to improve upon your awesome drivetrain.

I'd like to add something before Saturday... when I was driving in Canada during practice rounds, I became extremely pissed off when field crew members were taking sticks and pushing small balls into the corral. I understand that human players need practice, but in Canada, there was a pratice goal in the back for them. I wanted more practice herding but instead, the balls near the corral were nearly all gone. At PARC, our drive team will consist of completely new people who were part of the third drive team this year (backup). They have not competed yet, have not ever played on a real field, and have the least experience/skill (no offense guys). We are using PARC to train them more because chances are that they will become the second drive team next year (we alternate qualifying matches on 639 - first driver, me, does eliminations). I would greatly appreciate it, and so would that third drive team, if PARC field crew members would not herd balls for teams unless asked to. Practice rounds are for practice and should be used to simulate a real match as closely as possible. Interference is just annoying to the driver. Let him/her practice.

PARC is 100% by first rules, our field crew will not be interacting with the field in anyform other than catching balls that are thrown out of play.

[cbudrecki]

coming from a Championship Field Crew person, it really bothered me that the FIRST crew were allowed to push the balls into the corrals (true, it was only practice ounds, but still!!!), since i'm a resetter @ PARC as well, I will see to it that this does not happen now, if teams feel they want to let their human players practice, i see no reason why A team member assists in gathering balls, as long as they stay away from the moving robots, again, practice rounds only of course, and as dave said ALL FIRST RULES APPLY. see you in 4 days!!!

[petek]

Originally Posted by tb222

coming from a Championship Field Crew person, it really bothered me that the FIRST crew were allowed to push the balls into the corrals (true, it was only practice ounds, but still!!!), since i'm a resetter @ PARC as well, I will see to it that this does not happen now, if teams feel they want to let their human players practice, i see no reason why A team member assists in gathering balls, as long as they stay away from the moving robots, again, practice rounds only of course, and as dave said ALL FIRST RULES APPLY. see you in 4 days!!!

I found it disturbing that FIRST chose to ignore the potential for injury in allowing people to be on the playing field while robots were in action during practice. Personally, I would rather stay well clear of these beasts. Visions of the Firebirds vs. the drivers station at Drexel last year come to mind (remember that MOE?). Two horsepower robots moving at 8-10 ft/sec with metal arms sticking out & nice, soft people do not sound like a good combination to me.

Now, if you gave the person a red cape to wave...

[John Larock]

Pete:

I totally agree with you. The situation you mentioned last year at Philly had "decapitation" written all over it. Thanks to a thin piece of polycarbonate, the drivers were protected.

All who participate in PARC and other off-season comps need to appreciate the danger our creations could cause if (1) they get into the wrong hands [insert horror movie evil laugh here], or (2) the event hosts do not follow appropriate safety precautions.

ALL OFF-SEASON ROBOTEERS - BE SAFE OUT THERE!!!!!

[Yan Wang]

Thanks to all PARC people who addressed my concern.

[Kel D]

Originally Posted by petek

Visions of the Firebirds vs. the drivers station at Drexel last year come to mind (remember that MOE?).

I remember that. That was funny..I mean, thank goodness no one got hurt. Well, the Firebirds certainly are looking forward to this Saturday. One thought for next year. Team 1391 had a team set-up/socail on friday where teams could come and bring their robot and tools and what not and set up then there was like a team social or teams could practice on the field. Just a suggestion.

[team222badbrad]

We usually do allow teams to drop their robots off the night before. We should be here at the school until atleast 8pm. We may be here at the school later than 8 or before depending on how things are going!

We do not have a social or anything planned but your more than welcome to drop your robot off the night before!

[petek]

Originally Posted by Kel D

I remember that. That was funny..I mean, thank goodness no one got hurt.

I think everyone got a hoot from that escapade - especially when it happened a second time! Everyone other than MOE's drivers and maybe some field crew, that is. I imagine MOE was feeling rather picked-on by then, eh, John?

[Ashley Weed]

Something I used to do every year for scouting purposes during my driver/floor team days. It's always interesting to see, and thought I would share this year. The file does not include Quarter/Semi Finalist.

Some main points:

• 6 Regional Winners
• 4 Regional Finalist Awards
• 46 Regional Awards
• Division/Championship Winners & Finalist