It is about the robots (OpEd)

[Karthik]

Originally Posted by phrontist

I like the idea of that kind of constraint. I want teams to have to deal with:

"Oh man, can we really afford the weight/time of building this CVT? Will we be able to have it AND that [insert other component here] we wanted? " - (Actual Internal dialog going on in my head right now)

The $3500 cost limit, and the $400 single part cost limit still exist. These will force teams who are considering buying these gearboxes to make some crucial decisions when it comes to tradeoffs.

Originally Posted by Steve W

Here I am again. On the opposite side of the wall. Were would we be if people only used rebuilt parts? Were does the design and thought process come in to play? The inspiration comes from the mind not the field. When you build your first gearbox. When you understand why and how it works. I have seen the light in students and mentors eyes when something that they designed and built succeeded. The people in FIRST are the best. They have ideas. They can look inside and outside of the box. Why get in a habit of buying this transmission or that arm?

...

Inventions are not built using premade parts. People come up with new ideas, from different angles and with renewed enthusiasm. Playing the game is fun, building and designing is inspirational.

Steve,

I didn't help Marconi invent the radio, or Da Vinci paint the Mona Lisa, I guess what they did wasn't very inspirational for me. While we're at it, why don't we get rid of the KOP entirely, and force all the teams to build their robots from scratch. I mean after all, "inventions aren't built using pre-made parts".

You and I have had many an argument on topics similar to this one before. I guess were just coming from two totally different perspectives. I see what you're saying, but I just see multiple paths on the road to inspiration.

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Another reason why I am so behind these gearboxes, it's going to raise the level of competition. Say I'm a mentor on a team who has mastered the art of building two speed gearboxes. Right now I'm thinking, "That Andy Baker has done it again, now everyone is going to have a 2 speed tranny, how am I going to give my team an edge, better head back to the drawing board..." The elite teams are going innovate to gain a competitive advantage. Expect to see all sorts of cool new drive systems this year, as a result of the availability of these gearboxes.

Cooler robots = Impressed sponsors = More money for FIRST = Easier expansion = Easier culture change

Isn't this what we want?