FRC 2009 - Lunacy

[commodoredl]

To add on to the questions about no rules against descoring goals, here's my hypothetical example:
Say you have a starting configuration of a 12" long by 28" wide robot hooked up to the trailer. Wouldn't it then be possible to extend a device into the trailer and lift moon rocks out without leaving the maximum length limits?

[meastman]

Originally Posted by commodoredl

To add on to the questions about no rules against descoring goals, here's my hypothetical example:
Say you have a starting configuration of a 12" long by 28" wide robot hooked up to the trailer. Wouldn't it then be possible to extend a device into the trailer and lift moon rocks out without leaving the maximum length limits?

I was thinking a similar thing. Extending something to prevent scores from occurring in your trailer seems to be legal as long as your bot is still within the dimensions. Has anyone found any rules to refute this?

[surferacf]

Originally Posted by Dean_Kamen

I think this game is pretty nifty, what about you?

In a word, Yes. It help to equalize some of the experience differences between rookies like my team and the folks who have been doing this since '92.

Originally Posted by Dean_Kamen

Best approach might be to ... think "out of the box".

Unfortunately, physically thinking outside the box is prohibited by <R16>

[amos229]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

Those wheels are funky. It's gonna take a real clever team to be very skilled at this game. You also are going to be very reliant on your partners being able to perform (if they can't move or are very slow guess who's getting scored on). You got to hit and run to thrive at this game. I suspect like hockey this is gonna be a fast and furious game.

Similar strategy to 05 with the tetras. I wish I was still a highschool driver, I really like this game. Way to go FIRST

[oddjob]

I like the low friction surface and the new design challenges that presents. However, the human scorers will be very important and after listening to Dean talk about the dubious merits of bouncing a basketball, I'd rather the game was less dependent on human ball throwing skills. We'll have to wait and see how this comes together in a 3 on 3 match, but I suspect the real stars of the competition will be students that can score 9 out of 10 times. (some unfortunate similarities to 2006 Aim High there).

[professorX]

Originally Posted by Protronie

I really like what I've seen so far about this game.
Anyone can win it! Teams that have spent months designing wheels and fancy drive systems with the pushing power of a dozer... hahaha too bad your playing on fake ice with stock wheels.

Teams with whole machine shops that can build really awesome grippers and arms... oh well, them arms won't help this year.

With no fix-it window and all the robot contact this game will have. The robots will have to build robust. This year the winners will be robots that are simple, and tough.

Good luck teams!
-p

I'm sorry but can someone explain what is the fix-it window?

[bobwrit]

Originally Posted by professorX

I'm sorry but can someone explain what is the fix-it window?

I second this question.

[GaryVoshol]

We don't have fix-it windows this year.

In past years' rules, teams were limited on how much work they could do on parts after ship date. They were allowed a "window" of time each week in which work could be done. Other than that, tools were to be put down.

[Ian Curtis]

Originally Posted by oddjob

I like the low friction surface and the new design challenges that presents. However, the human scorers will be very important and after listening to Dean talk about the dubious merits of bouncing a basketball, I'd rather the game was less dependent on human ball throwing skills. We'll have to wait and see how this comes together in a 3 on 3 match, but I suspect the real stars of the competition will be students that can score 9 out of 10 times. (some unfortunate similarities to 2006 Aim High there).

I really enjoy the Human Player dynamic. In 2004's "FIRST Frenzy: Raising the Bar" (a game that is/was considered pretty good, and my personal favorite), the robots had to retrieve balls for a human player who had to get them into the goal basketball style. It was just a great dynamic. And remember, while the HPs will introduce most of the balls to the field, if you build an A+ robot, it won't really matter. Not to mention, I think seeing students make 9/10 will be exceedingly rare, if it occurs at all.

What is the similarity to Aim High precisely? I remember Aim High teams who built A+ robots. Sure, some of them where human loaded, but without the robot, these teams would not have been a powerhouse.

[Mike8519]

There are no fix-it windows. You have unlimited worktime now from ship to regional. You can work on and develop your "Withheld Allowance" parts all you want provided all the spares and such brought to the event are under 40lbs

Also rule G14 adds an interesting twist on teams that may run up the score.

[Jonathan Norris]

Human players are not going to be nearly as big of a part of the game as they initially look. Going to be a fun, exciting game! (and I haven't said that on kickoff since 06...).

good drivers are going to be really key.

[ExarKun666]

Human players will still have a big role, but I think the robot design, a key element for it will be to pick up the balls off the ground, because of all the missed shots.

[ehcualp]

I think this year's game is great. It completely levels out the playing field for all teams. New controller systems, have to use stock wheels, drive train has to be rethought of. I started a rookie team this year, with me being the only veteran on the team, and I think we have a great chance of making it to the finals. As much as any other team participating. In the past years veterans always had the advantage, but not anymore!

[NorviewsVeteran]

Originally Posted by meastman

I was thinking a similar thing. Extending something to prevent scores from occurring in your trailer seems to be legal as long as your bot is still within the dimensions. Has anyone found any rules to refute this?

If you can make sure the first contact between the robot and trailer is bumper to bumper, you might have it in the can.

[Herodotus]

I like the surface, but to be honest I don't particularly like the rest of the game dynamics. I don't like that it seems the human players can be big scorers (note, I say "seems" and "can" not "will be".) I can't see TOO much variety in the drive trains, or even in what you use to manipulate the game piece.

I will, of course, be proven wrong. I also will, of course, still make the best of it and enjoy myself anyways.