The Monster Roars (308 pics)

[archiver]

Posted by Kevin at 2/20/2001 4:00 PM EST


Coach on team #308, Walled Lake Monsters, from Walled Lake Schools and TRW Automotive Electronics.


In Reply to: 416 Minimum Score??
Posted by Raul on 2/20/2001 10:32 AM EST:



Raul,

Our basic strategy this year is quite simple. As long as the 3 other robots can travel from the starting position to the endzone within 45 - 60 seconds, we should have no problem having the goals balanced within 75 seconds and being in the endzone within 90 seconds. Of course, we'll fill one goal with 12 - 15 balls at the human player station before completing the balancing act.

We believe we'll be able to significantly cut these times down with enough practice, and that if paired with the right robots, can significantly increase the score with small balls in the far goal and large balls on both goals. However, at the least we should have 52 points (10 for each robot, + 12 for the small balls) and an 8 times multiplier (both goals balanced within 90 seconds) which yields 416 points. Since we don't rely on other teams handling the goals, we hopefully won't have to worry about coordination or goal handling issues.

Therefore, we think 416 points is a minimum score, providing the other 3 robots simply plant in the endzone within 45 - 60 seconds, and hit the stop button.

Best of luck this year!

Kevin

: Chris,

: We also thought of this concept and felt it was a bit complex. Then again the concept we chose turned out to be very complex also (although as some have said it LOOKS simple). Congratulations on pulling it off.

: In reponse to your prediciton, I think you should not set your expectations so high that you think you will score 416 as a minimum. We had a scrimmage with 4 other local teams that actually complimented our concept well and were not able to score any higher than 192 in any of the 15 matches. I'll admit that we all had software, control and hardware glitches that slowed things down. This was a great learning experience, almost like going to an extra regional.

: There are so many coordination, timing and goal handling issues and 3 other robots that all have to do precisely as planned to get your objective score, that I think it will be rare that you actually score 416 during qualifying. During eliminations when all 4 teams have had a long time during the break to precisely dicuss what each robot will do, you will have much more success.

: Raul

: PS. I've been so busy, that I have not had a chance to enjoy these forums since Thursday. I have some catching up to do.