Question of the Week!!! (7/26/04)

[MikeyP]

So far, I have read about changing the field surface and size. I haven't heard anybody mention changing the robots instead of the field, other than the "water game" idea. What if they changed the game so that wheels could not be used for traction? I remember a team in 2003 that actually had a series of legs that walked instead of using wheels. I think it was team 276. Whoever had a cow mascot that year and designed their robot to look like a cow. Anyway, I think it would be cool to change the way you move.

Another option could be to change where you start from. Instead of starting on the ground level, start on top of a platform or on a wicked angle. If you give enough angle or change the way it is used, carpet can become very bad for traction. Imagine what would've happened if they put the carpet on the platform and put the HDPE on the floor this year. Changing the field surface is a good idea, but maybe changing the way they are used would be more practical. Maybe its a bad idea, but those are my thoughts.

[UCGL_Guy]

Masonite - shiny side up cheap and extremely slick. I like plywood also.
and for a twist dynamic smaller obstacles/challenges the field can be set up by your opponent with small ramps balls barrier whatevers of thier choice in say like 30 seconds.

[Jaine Perotti]

I think plywood is definitely a good idea...its cheap and almost anyone can get their hands on it. How about sheetrock?? Also, what if you had a playing field that used materials differing from eachother radically, for example, alternating bands of rubber and lexan. That would make it really challenging to design your drive train to handle radically different conditions. I could just see robots with good traction on rubber slide out of control once they hit a slippery surface...this would create a need for good driving skills.