Drive Systems... ...The FIRST Arms Race?

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by Tom Bottiglieri

I'm not so concerned about power in the drive. If the team builds it well and can control it on the field, what does it matter?

I'm more worried about people buying these new, off the shelf mecanum wheels and not knowing how to program for them correctly. What a waste.

This is a real issue. This year, our drive system was biased towards going off-the-shelf when possible. The result was a 6WD with Gen2 AndyMarks. Works beautifully.

Overall, I agree with most of the points raised in the thread. However, I think the solution isn't so much in meters and lines on the inspection checklist. The solution seems two-pronged to me.

1) Cut down on some of the drive-grade motors, and perhaps work in some more arm-friendly motors. Drop a couple of the Big Powerful Motors (herein defined as the CIMs, big and small, and the F-P), either individually or in pairs, and throw in a couple more window motors. I mean, sure you can do window motor drive, but most teams will just work with less power there.

2) Create game objectives that value finesse and agility over pure brute force. Rack 'N Roll, Triple Play, and (to an extent) FIRST Frenzy can arguably meet this criteria. Aim High, Stack Attack, and Zone Zeal couldn't to the same degree. Make it so we've got to move fast to score well, and we'll do it.