I Have Proof of a Water Game... sort of

[meatmanek]

To those of you saying "Electricity + Water == Bad":
Ever seen a boat?
Some nice equipment, plus a bit of carefulness, plus circuit breakers == safe.
Besides, we're talking about 12V here, very little chance of electrocution. Waterproofing electronics can be done, IFI would just have to release a waterproof Victor and Spike (Victor would be pretty hard to do, unless they assume that it'd be underwater - think cooling). Then they'd have to provide a nice waterproof electrical box with some sort of waterproof quick disconnect system, and mandate that any self made connections are heatshrinked using hot glue-filled heat shrink. Then of course, we'd need a waterproof version of the CMUCam2, or they'd just have to go with a different sensor (SONAR, anyone?). Perhaps they could also provide a standard waterproof hull to those teams who don't trust their welding or plastic working skills. (Or rivets and caulk, or any number of solutions)

http://www.jbn-duraline.com/duraline...tors_3wire.htm
http://www.l-com.com/item.aspx?id=7348

A water game would provide endless opportunity for innovation. Think of all the different hull styles out there, all the different methods for propulsion...
Turbines, Propellers, Paddle wheels.
Standard single hulls, Catamarans, Trimarans.
Submarines, hovercrafts, hydrofoils.

Teams who are creative and innovative enough could come up with some really cool designs. Holonomic submarines (think 6 full degrees of freedom), boats capable of propelling themselves out of the water, amphibious robots.

What if they threw a curveball at us and made us all use sailboats? Only give us servo motors, and put big fans on one side of the field. That'd provide opportunity for some really neat coding.

Think of the innovative control systems teams could come up with.

Now, all that being said, do I think it's likely? Not for next year. The number of sponsors that would be required to provide the KOP equipment for a water game would be tremendous. If you start seeing more and more sponsors that also produce waterproof equipment, then you can start to worry.

[Ericgehrken]

No water game!
Maybe manipulating an object that floats in water perhaps?
Kind of like this year.

[team 1094]

i think a water game would be changleing and exciteing, but water and robots don't mix. insatead of have robots on the water you pick up/ destroy targets in the water. I think that would be cool

[deshirider430]

[BigBig5]

It wouldn't happen becase it would cost too much.

[joshsmithers]

Originally Posted by BigBig5

It wouldn't happen becase it would cost too much.

Originally Posted by firstbots195

No water game!
Maybe manipulating an object that floats in water perhaps?
Kind of like this year.

One day you naysayers will eat your words!

Us "Believers" will already have our designs worked out, tested, and ready to go come the first day of build!

[Wedge34]

Originally Posted by Cuog

If anyone was at VCU today dave was talking about the game and how he got inspired for them, and he was talking about his years game then flashed up a picture of a steam powered paddle boat on a river. So that must mean water game!!

look at the paddle on the boat, does it not look like a familiar rack tipped on its side

[meatmanek]

Originally Posted by BigBig5

It wouldn't happen becase it would cost too much.

It's not as if FIRST isn't already expensive. From the FIRST Annual Report, 2006: (formatted as code so the columns line up right)

STATEMENTS OF ACTIVITIES

Revenues and other support:           June 30, 2006 June 30, 2005
Program registration fees              $11,066,236    $9,837,085
Contributions                            7,586,794     5,282,335
Rental income                              565,650       558,764
Other income                               484,998       415,889
Net assets released from restrictions      999,843     1,602,310
Special sponsorship                        100,000       500,000
Total revenues and other support        20,803,521    18,196,383

Operating expenses:
FIRST Robotics Competition              14,023,526    13,176,451
FIRST LEGO League                        1,271,223     1,124,943
FIRST Vex Challenge                        634,510       323,257
FIRST Place                                 77,085        47,264
Management and general                   2,676,235     2,411,966
Operation of building                      337,218       316,375
Depreciation                               361,644       318,570
Total operating expenses                19,381,441    17,718,826

No, it's not likely to happen any time soon.

Never say never, though. FIRST definitely has the ability to attract sponsors that might be willing to help them out in making a water game. The playing fields would either be above-ground pools (Possible but risking leaks/flooding the arena floors), or public pools (Not sure they'd like us getting grease in their pools. Of course, that could be solved by rules like we already have about depositing grease on the playing field.)

This might just be me, but I think an above ground pool in each arena would be more likely. It would allow FIRST to stay at the same arenas, and public pools may not be available to rent out for a weekend. Plus, they could standardize the field, something which would be difficult in a public pool.

Let me say this again: It's not going to happen soon, but that doesn't mean it's not going to happen. It's entirely possible, with enough help from new sponsors.

[meatmanek]

Originally Posted by team 1094

but water and robots don't mix.

I think these people would disagree with you.

And so would these hobbyists

So would this team at CMU who developed a robot that actually walks on water.

So would the kind folks at the MIT AUVLab

And, of course, so would the navy.

[Wetzel]

You think Dave mentioning it is a hint, how about listening to three members of the GDC talk about how to implement it. They were even including pumps to raise and lower the water level based on completion of a task!

Wetzel

[Shadow503]

Originally Posted by Wetzel

You think Dave mentioning it is a hint, how about listening to three members of the GDC talk about how to implement it. They were even including pumps to raise and lower the water level based on completion of a task!

Wetzel

That seems unlikely, as they would probably be using above ground pools anyways (FIRST isn't made of cash). The pumps would be difficult to implement in a normal pool. Definitely a cool possibility though!

[vadyr]

a game de l'aqua es muy terrible!!!! FIRST could never pull it off...i mean im not doubting FIRST at all...but im just saying, it would be expensive, people would just quit....and it wouldnt work! the day i see a water game in FIRST is the day i quit life and live in a hole for the rest of my life. heck, i might as well live with the wolves!

[Michael Hill]

Originally Posted by Budda648

I still think there's going to be an ice game next year instead. Maybe even flying ice where we have to pick up and deposite living penguins.

I think there would be some organizations after us if we somehow popped a game piece.

[Jimbo5051]

Originally Posted by Compnerd

Water + electricity= Problem.... I doubt that first would expect teams to have to seal their robots.. especially rookie teams!

Check this out!
http://www.marinetech.org/

[Jimbo5051]

You guys that say robots and water don't mix, well think of ROV, aren't they robots.