YMTC: Your Thoughts

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by jonathan lall

I'm sorry but I don't see the benefit of not discussing possible inconsistencies or controversies during the time we need to worry about them as robot designers.... Al Skierkiewicz mentioned an example in the most recent YMTC that under slightly different circumstances, a rule might have proven troublesome to Wildstang.

Jonathon,
I think it is important to point out that most teams (and I am guessing very close to 100%) will design their robot with a little fudge factor to stay well within the limits of the rules. The YMTC can be a good indicator of how far some teams can go and stay within the rules and how some team members may disagree. You will note from my previous posts that Wildstang is one of those teams that spends a good deal of the design process reading and rereading the rules. We do not build right up to the limits but stay shy by a small amount. (weight being our biggest issue.) I believe the rulings we have discussed in the other threads are not inconsistant or controversial except under the circumstances they were presented in. In the past FIRST has been responsive when a rule proved incorrect or too difficult to implement. i.e. the ground stud from last year. I believe in FIRST's ability to write a great rule book and to respond to the minor mistakes that could be made by a team that is understaffed and under tremendous pressure to get that documentation on time. I hope that FIRST staffers stop in these forums from time to time and know that they can ask any of us for opinions at any time.