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Re: Do old robots get to Heaven?
Everyone hates to take an older robot apart, but there is one excellent use for older robots
use the control system and the default FIRST drive train to build a base-platform practice robot in the fall. This is mostly for new students on the team, to get an idea how to wire up the control and power systems, to get an idea how the default drive train works, maybe even to put a simple pnuematic system onboard.
Teams I have mentored did this a few times. The 'default' robot then serves as a starting point for the new robot after the kickoff - a way to get the brainstorming ideas flowing. "If nothing else we can build a robot just like this in a few weeks - now what could we do to make it better in light of this years game? What would you change, what would you add? what would you design differently than the base model platform?"
Also, it can be a very robust practice robot for driver training, or a platform to use to test out sensors and control system ideas.
You have a choice between leaving all your previous years robots intact and untouched, or turning them into organ donors to allow your new students to get up to speed, and to get your team off and running after the kickoff.
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