Team 221 LLC. Universal Chassis In Stock

[Doug G]

Ok this is not so much about 221 as it is a comment on how things have changed and may continue to do so...

First of all I think it is good that the growth of FIRST has in a small sense grown a new marketplace for robotics (IFI/Vex, Lego, AndyMark, 221, to name a few). It has been a godsend for myself as an educator to have such a wealth of suppliers to turn to. We use many vex kits for our robotics class and if money were available - I would love to get a few of those 221 Universal Chassis' for students to learn with.

It is quite amazing to see how much has changed since I started in 2001. It was quite a challenge back then to get a decent driving machine out on the field, I remember so vividly how we struggled to find a way to mount those darn drill transmissions. Now it can be reasonably expected that a rookie team should be able to build a drive base using the kit chassis and gearboxes in a matter of a few days. Six wheel drive bases are now commonplace along with shifting trannies, mecanums and omnis. But this to me simply means the game will drastically change this year. FIRST is known to change things up, as they have already hinted about, and this will happen in 2009. 4 years of a relatively flat field is done. Is that 6 wheel chassis with 4" or 6" going to do you any good if you need to climb up a hill or cross a barrier?