Hybrid Challenge-No Robot Left Behind

[GaryVoshol]

Originally Posted by Waynep

Veteran teams (or any team with a robot) that are attempting to do something in hybrid: it is my challenge to you to work before and at the regionals to ensure that NO ROBOT GETS LEFT BEHIND in hybrid; everyone DRIVES at the very least and attempts to cross one or two lines. Just giving the team the proper code does not fulfill the challenge. I fully expect you to help them understand the code (whether you enable them to dead reckon or use an IR remote to move), answer their questions, leave them with the confidence and knowledge to continue to improve their efforts and know you will be there to help them if questions arise, as well as to leave your door open to anyone seeking advice.

Originally Posted by Michelle Celio

I, for one, do not accept.

So, you're at your first ever FIRST competition, and a semi-established team comes up to you "Hey, you don't have a hybrid mode? Here use this pre-built one!". So they load the code on to your robot, and explain to you what it does or how they wrote it.
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FIRST OVERDRIVE should not be about handing out hybrid modes to people who don't have them, it's supposed to be a challenge. If some teams can't beat the challenge than it's on them.

I totally understand Michelle's point. "If you give a man a fish, he eats for a day. If you teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime." We shouldn't be giving things to any team. We should be helping them to develop something on their own. However, if you look in the excerpt I quoted from the original challenge, you will see that was what was proposed. Even more important than working at a regional with a team is working before ship with them.

Veterans should look at the lists of teams in their area, and make contacts with those who are new. Find out what they are doing, offer your expertise.

While 1025 is not technically a rookie team this year, we are newly organized, under new sponsorship. There is no way we could have done it without the help of the Thunderchickens, starting over 6 months ago. That's the kind of help new teams need. Thanks, 217!