2 Speed Transmissions in the Future

[JesseK]

I think in some instances it could be better for the team overall to figure out HOW to make a 2-speed transmission in their offseason, regardless of what next year's game could be. The fact that the mechanical team learns what it takes to design and manufacture a complex dynamic system with any sort of quality will take them alot further through the season than if they did not. They can translate that knowledge into building dynamic manipulators (etc) for whatever game is thrown at them.

That said, one of our team's offseason projects for the fall is to make a 2-speed prototype transmission. Details haven't been worked out yet, but we know that our '07 robot could have had more maneuverability or power had we been able to shift this year, hence that is our D/T improvement for next year.

If a team has these transmissions available in the KoP's, then they will hardly (if ever) be motivated to take steps in designing and creating their own. Hence, I don't think 2-speeds should be in the KoP. The BB gearbox worked for 1885 in 35 matches + practice this year and allowed us to focus our efforts on other parts of the robot. I believe that is sufficient for the expectations a team should have for the kit of parts -- nothing more.