Gunn & Napa DQ VIDEO: DECIDE YOURSELF

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Posted by steve kyramarios, Engineer on team #252, Bay Bombers, from Broadway HS and NASA Ames Research Center.

Posted on 3/4/99 1:29 AM MST


In Reply to: Re: Gunn & Napa DQ VIDEO: DECIDE YOURSELF posted by Thomas A. Frank on 3/3/99 1:35 PM MST:



Hello All.....

This is my first year as an engineering mentor. I am mentoring the Bay
Bombers and happened to see the match first hand. I would first like to
say that I was very impressed with all the robots at the competition. I
only wish I had the opportunity as a HS student to participate in something
like this.

I also agree with TAF and others that the actions of the robots are the
responsibility of the robot team. The issue that I was most concerned with
was at the beginning of the match, and not captured on the video clip. I
am referring to the incident when Blitz (Bay Bombers) went directly
for his human player. While the human
player was loading Blitz, robot #192 came over and attempted to interfere
with the loading process. I have no problem with this in general, as it
is a valid defense, but I was bothered by the way 192 did this. The arm
of robot 192 engaged the verticle arm of the lifting mechanism (below the
basket). The only effect this can cause is a direct injury to the lifting
system or a tipping of the robot. In my opinion, either of these motives
are inappropriate. I helped engineer a robot that would substain
incidental contact, but not one that would engage in robot wars (however,
this does sound fun).


Anyway, this is only my opinion. The bottom line is that the referees
had their reasons to call the penalty. Other than that, robot 192 is a
piece of art. I really enjoyed talking to the students, coaches, and
engineers at Gunn HS. They were very friendly and knowledgable. In fact,
they provided us with some very useful information the previous day in
regards to our drive motor. Everyone should keep in mind that the competition
is only a small part of the experience. We have
all learned a little more in regards to what the referees will permit and
hopefully this incident will be a moot point at the nationals.

Looking forward to seeing everyone, and their robots, in Florida.

Steve Kyramarios, Team #252/254 (The Bay Bombers...)