Suffield Shakedown observations...

[Kendal Reed]

Right, that would be a good fix... I started my robot-programming career with a VEX kit, and that's not an option there, so I guess I never considered it when I graduated to FRC programming.

[Uberbots]

Originally Posted by Bongle

The most-hurdled match was the final match, where the winning team managed 5 hurdles combined (or at least according to the announcer).

The specialized lap-running bots (don't have their #s, the webcast quality wasn't good enough to read them) typically got about 7 laps. That's pretty good considering it isn't entirely likely that an opposing robot will get the 2 hurdles needed to offset that. Even the uberbots above said they averaged 2 hurdles in a match.

Actually, we had an average of about 3 hurdles per match, maybe slightly more. we only had two matches with < 3 hurdles.

Also in some test runs today, we learned the importance of the autonomous mode... we got a maximum score of 32 points in a single run today. Considering that most matches at suffield averaged about that, that is a huge amount of points.

8 points this year is like 20 last year.

[6StringLove]

Well, reporting from the Gaelhawks side of things, it was awesome to work with the Uberbots and the Litchbots, and finally win with the Uberbots after last year!!!!!! To answer some of the questions, we use our IR for some very high level autonomous coding. Based on accelerometers we drive around the field, but buttons modify the path and robot actions.

We also, similar to Uberbots, hurdle 3 times on avg, while also placing at the end. Other teams seem to avg 1-2 hurdles though. A key problem, as noted, is that robots seem to be VERY tippy. It was also great having referees doing a great job and really calling the penalties. Thank you so much, it keeps the fun in the game.

[TJ09]

One thing 230 learned is that having the wiring for your IR receiver get caught in one of your chains is, rather surprisingly, not very good. During our first practice match we noticed almost immediately that the bot wasn't driving right, and then we noticed that there were wires hanging out, so we drove to the wall and hit the E-Stop.

Another thing we noticed is that the bumps created by the supports for the middle wall are higher than we thought, to the point that our autonomous ran into the wall after hitting them.

[whytheheckme]

This may have been asked somewhere else, but is a copy of the webcast available somewhere?

As for our drive system, we have our motors the correct way, compensating in the program. As it turns out, this typically works a lot better for the type of filtering and tracking math we have.

Our bot had some huge drive issues at the scrimmage, much do to with out wheels. We replaced our wheels today, and we are back in action, running around like crazy and picking up and scoring balls.

As for IR, we attempted during one match, just to see how well it actually worked, and it quickly became unreliable, as the bot moved away from the player station. Must try a more powerful, concentrated IR transmitter. As a driver, I only saw one other team in total use IR, but I was only on or near the field about 20% of the time.

Jacob

[PHSmom]

I was thrilled to see the number of spectators at the scrimmage. There were many dignitaries present, it goes without saying the scrimmage was a success for mare than just a testing ground for the teams/bots.

As a rookie team (yr 2) it has been invaluable for us to be able to participate. We make some mistakes and we achieve some success, but most of all the team members experience the world of FIRST as it is outside of the halls of just our school.

My hats of to the Suffield team (and all of their many supporters) for again providing a platform for the FIRST community in CT. I think we all are aware of the HUGE amount of work necessary to put on such a grand production. Your team has made it look easy, and has made it user friendly for all of us in attendance. I trust you heard it a few times on Saturday, but one more time will still not convey sufficiently- THANK YOU!!! for all of your hard work, there were so many parents, so many students, it was fantastic.

[AcesPease]

Originally Posted by PHSmom

I was thrilled to see the number of spectators at the scrimmage. There were many dignitaries present, it goes without saying the scrimmage was a success for mare than just a testing ground for the teams/bots.

As a rookie team (yr 2) it has been invaluable for us to be able to participate. We make some mistakes and we achieve some success, but most of all the team members experience the world of FIRST as it is outside of the halls of just our school.

My hats of to the Suffield team (and all of their many supporters) for again providing a platform for the FIRST community in CT. I think we all are aware of the HUGE amount of work necessary to put on such a grand production. Your team has made it look easy, and has made it user friendly for all of us in attendance. I trust you heard it a few times on Saturday, but one more time will still not convey sufficiently- THANK YOU!!! for all of your hard work, there were so many parents, so many students, it was fantastic.

You are very welcome. I am always happy to hear that the event benefits other teams in the region.

Let me insert that our team is based in Windsor Locks (where we build the robot) as well as Suffield. There were key volunteers from both towns as well as Hamilton Sundstrand employees from surrounding towns.

And since I am mostly involved in robot building, I would like to publically thank all the wonderful volunteers also