Top speed?

[Scott Carpman]

Good luck trying to turn with a 30 fps drivetrain...

[XXShadowXX]

i think the general speed limit will be limited by the laws or relativity
299 792 458 m / s that should be a general limit to how fast you can travel in the event (or at any time lol)

[BandChick]

Like everyone above me said, there is no SET limit.

But most folks can't handle a drive train that's faster than about 15 f/s.

Steering becomes really uncontrollable, not to mention the increased likelihood that you'll slam into the opposing player station wall, or the center field element. Good luck with whatever you choose!

[Andy A.]

Originally Posted by Scott Carpman

Good luck trying to turn with a 30 fps drivetrain...

Maybe this is the year that automotive style turning, with a differential, makes sense. It would certainly allow high turning speeds and easier turns for the driver to coordinate.

As to the original question, I think the general consensus is that after about 18 FPS a typical robot becomes very difficult to control and a real pig in a turn. Things like trick wheels, multiple motor drive trains, shifting gear boxes and real sharp PID loops could probably make 25 fps or higher controllable and useful, although at that speed your crossing the field very very quickly. It's an awful lot of design trade offs for that speed. But maybe thats worth it to you. If it's ever been worth it, this would be the year. I'd love to see a robot 'hotrod' that just throws every thing it has into a drive train of epic proportions.

-Andy A.

[Tottanka]

Originally Posted by Andy A.

Maybe this is the year that automotive style turning, with a differential, makes sense. It would certainly allow high turning speeds and easier turns for the driver to coordinate.

As to the original question, I think the general consensus is that after about 18 FPS a typical robot becomes very difficult to control and a real pig in a turn. Things like trick wheels, multiple motor drive trains, shifting gear boxes and real sharp PID loops could probably make 25 fps or higher controllable and useful, although at that speed your crossing the field very very quickly. It's an awful lot of design trade offs for that speed. But maybe thats worth it to you. If it's ever been worth it, this would be the year. I'd love to see a robot 'hotrod' that just throws every thing it has into a drive train of epic proportions.

-Andy A.

Did anyone say drift control?

[Gabe15]

We are definetly considering an automotive inspired steering system, but trying not to fall into making a go-cart, was more just curious for other teams sake, but I donʻt think we are going to put that much into speed...but who knows!

[MrForbes]

Originally Posted by Tottanka

Did anyone say drift control?

No, they said high speed....which is generally a different subject....

(unless you're on a dirt track)

[Protronie]

Originally Posted by Tottanka

Did anyone say drift control?

Originally Posted by squirrel

No, they said high speed....which is generally a different subject....

(unless you're on a dirt track)

Drifting robots... NOW THAT WOULD BE EXCITING!

[flamefixed]

i know this is pretty unrelated to this topic but, when coming up for new tshirt designs for this year, we decided to go with a rather known quote from a new comedy racing movie that has been out for a little while. We get to the kickoff, see the game, and WOOWWWWW!! haha.

[Daniel_LaFleur]

Originally Posted by Tottanka

Did anyone say drift control?

hehehe ... make way for sprint cars ... erm robots

Seriously though, the top speed allowed is the speed in which you can still control yout 'bot.

Anything beyond that will be 'unsafe'.

This may also be the year for suction cups on your OI, as I can see the drivers stations taking some wicked hits.

[David Brinza]

Originally Posted by Daniel_LaFleur

hehehe ... make way for sprint cars ... erm robots

Seriously though, the top speed allowed is the speed in which you can still control yout 'bot.

Anything beyond that will be 'unsafe'.

This may also be the year for suction cups on your OI, as I can see the drivers stations taking some wicked hits.

There are long Velcro strips provided at the player stations this year - guess the GDC saw this coming!!

[Tomasz Bania]

Originally Posted by David Brinza

There are long Velcro strips provided at the player stations this year - guess the GDC saw this coming!!

But AFAIK, they are right in the middle of the stations therefore i see some teams having control mounting conflicts.

[663.keith]

Originally Posted by Tomasz Bania

But AFAIK, they are right in the middle of the stations therefore i see some teams having control mounting conflicts.

the Velcro is clearly described in the rulebook, so teams should incorporate this into the design of their operator interface for this year.

6.4.2
Attached to the Alliance Station Wall are three aluminum shelves to support the robot control
systems of the three teams on the ALLIANCE. The support shelf measures approximately 60
inches wide by 12 inches deep. There is a 4-1/2-foot long by two-inch wide strip of Velcro tape
(“loop” side) along the center of the support shelf that may be used to secure the ROBOT controls
and Operator Interface. Each setup location includes a competition cable that attaches to the
“Competition Port” of the Operator Interface.

[Tomasz Bania]

Originally Posted by 663.keith

the Velcro is clearly described in the rulebook, so teams should incorporate this into the design of their operator interface for this year.

Agreed, and it's a good thing the GDC thought of this. Even the 7-10lb trackball could possibly knock down an unsecured interface, and this will be a guaranteed equipment saver during the hybrid period (Read as: 120LB robot plows into the alliance station at 12 ft/sec with no one holding the controls.)

[dtengineering]

The laws of physics actually impose much lower speed limits than c, or even Mach 1.

Consider that the robot has to navigate a corner at each end of the track. A high traction wheel will have a co-efficient of friction of about 1.3. This limits the speed in the corner... or at least the speed that can be maintained through the corner without skidding into the walls.

It also limits the accelleration of the robot down the straights, and requires the driver to slow the robot before entering a corner (assuming that straight speed exceeds the maximum cornering speed.)

Some fairly simple kinematics calculations should allow teams to calculate the theoretical top speed and fastest lap time possible for a robot.

By the way, I note Squirell's reference to NASCAR... but isn't this more like NASACAR?


Jason