**FIRST EMAIL**/FRC Game Hint #3

[SteveGPage]

I am a mentor in Southern Maryland - Team 836 - this hint actually strikes me as something that happens around here. Each summer, at the US Naval Academy, the plebes have to climb an obelisk and put a "cap" on the top. This hint sounds very similar to what the plebes have to do. Here is an excerpt from an NPR article on this event.

The first-year students of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., graduated from plebe to third-class status on Thursday. All they have left to do is climb the Herndon Monument, a 21-foot, gray obelisk.

That is not an easy task. Upper classmen lather the monument with 200 pounds of lard. The plebes must work together to climb to the top of the monument and replace a white, plebe "Dixie cup" hat with an upperclassman's hat.

Here is the link to the article, and the picture of them climbing the obelisk.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...oryId=10258246

So to echo several other posts - sounds like a king of the hill competition to me as well! Come to the Chesapeake Regional to see the real thing - the obelisk, that is!

[Stephi Rae]

Personally, I can't get past the idea that we're going to have to be climbing or getting over something. I am a second year FIRSTer, but it seems like for at least the past two years there has been something to climb, whether it be part of the field or an alliance member. What I keep coming back to is maybe a ramp and platform, similar to a speed bump as mentioned in a previous post, that maybe you have to get over in order to reach the game pieces... as far as vet... if you take it as veterinarian, maybe something to do with fixing something? the IR could tell you which piece is which and where it goes? then you have to assemble, or put in order, the game pieces... maybe you have to MAKE a tetra? wow, that would be interesting...

[MrForbes]

Originally Posted by SteveGPage

The first-year students of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.,

Navy?

did someone say Water Game?

[Chuck Glick]

FIRST Tetra = 1st 4

First season of 4 v 4?

[GBIT]

Originally Posted by squirrel

Navy?

did someone say Water Game?

Oh don't even start that!!!

[Kaushal.K]

The IR sensor (aka Game Hint #1) was first introduced to the competition in 2005 (if I understand correctly)... 2005 was also the year the game pieces were Tetra's (aka Game Hint #3 anybody?)... conincidence? or a possible connection between the two??

My guess it that the competition will involve a larger Tetra in the centre of the field from which (and ONLY from which) teams may score other game pieces (Squares and Circles) lying on the field...

2 days 16 hrs.. i wish time would just speed up so the season would start.. =)

[GBIT]

Maybe VETerans (of triple play) need to score with tetras (third hint) and the new teams score with Squares (2nd hint) and they all need to use the IR to know where to score (first hint)

[garyk]

2005's game "Triple Play" included (introduced? it was my rookie year) the CMU camera. Some tetra game pieces had a plywood panel attached, with instructions for the exact shade of green to paint them. (Pix: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...TriplePlay.jpg)
The autonomous mode comprised finding the green panel with the camera and placing the tetra on a goal tower, along with some easier but less lucrative functions. The camera/plywood combination was a complete flop, and most teams didn't bother mounting the camera on their 'bot. 2006 "Aim High" introduced the green light panel, and in 2007 "Rack 'n Roll" there were four light panels. Now we have another optical element (or at least a hint), the IR sensor board. The trend from 2005 has been to include the camera/light combination and it's my guess it will continue. Of course, we'll find out soon!

On the west coast we'll be viewing the Kickoff at 7 AM (ugh). My admiration goes to the Alaskan teams (6 AM) and Hawiian (5 AM).

Programmers: check out my programming class: Chief Delphi => CD Media => White Papers => Applied Robot Programming for FRC 'bots

[cdennisxlx2]

Originally Posted by Kaushal.K

The IR sensor (aka Game Hint #1) was first introduced to the competition in 2005 (if I understand correctly)... =)

2004 was IR, 05 was the CMU Cam

[GRST]

How about... Rack n' Roll with a Tetra!

Instead of the Rack, you have a gigantic tetra which you somehow score on. your robot can lock onto IR targets (seeing the success with which we used the green lights, those are probably out).

Perhaps there is also an element of Raising the Bar, where you have to hang on something or get over something- if you get over the Tetra you get extra points? There might be some device which the robot would have to use to get over- maybe an element found on Copley Square?

[Kaushal.K]

ahh.. thanks for the correction.. then i have to go with what Gary says about the Sensor + Light combination...

Originally Posted by garyk

Now we have another optical element (or at least a hint), the IR sensor board. The trend from 2005 has been to include the camera/light combination and it's my guess it will continue.

[GRST]

Why would they have two sources of radiation (light + IR)? That would make the game needlessly complicated. Then again, that seems to be the style these days- lots of different modes of play.

But I personally think that two different types of light is a bit much.

[DanDon]

Originally Posted by 2008 Decryption Test

2008 Games Hint #2
42.349905
-71.076072
342.242026

2008 Games Hint #3
Vet hurdling FIRST tetra

Emphasis Mine

Games? More than one game? Multiple unique scoring methods throughout the whole game? Perhaps something a la FIRST Frenzy? (Please? :-P) Just a little something I noticed...might be nothing more than a typo, but who knows.

[Ross340]

I just can't see the IR becoming an important part to the game. Think of it from an audience's point of view. IR light is invisible. (given) unless they're going to display what's going on with the IR on say the large screen, the audience is going to be left... well... blind (pun intended)

I just try to envision what the game will be like from the audience's standpoint. You know, some family out one Saturday looking for something to do and happen to stumble across your local regional. They walk in and have absolutely no clue what is going on. The game needs to be visually appealing. Also, it needs to be easily caught onto for said wandering family. That doesn't mean that it's essential for them to know ins and outs of it, but generally be able to catch on in a short period of time.

Si or no?

[GBIT]

Originally Posted by DanDon

Emphasis Mine

Games? More than one game? Multiple unique scoring methods throughout the whole game? Just a little something I noticed...might be nothing more than a typo, but who knows.

o man that would be intense!!!!