Strategy for Passive Robots (with no attack system)

[MikePres]

So we're a rookie team with rookie issues - we learn this year what NOT to do next year. We planned a shooter AND a dumper AND a conveyor! Crazy ><.
We are, what?, 8 days before shipping? Nothing is done and our robot can only move and our camera can find the colors and stop on it (only the camera, not the robot... and that's with a pre-programmed FIRST LabView programs). THAT'S ALL.
Now, i'm asking myself, and you, what's the best strategy a robot with no attack systems can use in the competition?
Help? ><

See if you can add one simple roller with a small hopper to collect balls from humans or the floor and deposit them in the corner. In 1712's rookie season (2006), that's almost exactly what we did (no camera or sensors) and had a blast at competition despite playing with and against prolific shooters. We were able to play some defense as well as provided some help to most alliances we were a part of.

Here are a few photos:
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/22949
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/22727
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/24375

Good luck!

[smurfgirl]

Originally Posted by MikePres

So we're a rookie team with rookie issues - we learn this year what NOT to do next year. We planned a shooter AND a dumper AND a conveyor! Crazy ><.
We are, what?, 8 days before shipping? Nothing is done and our robot can only move and our camera can find the colors and stop on it (only the camera, not the robot... and that's with a pre-programmed FIRST LabView programs). THAT'S ALL.
Now, i'm asking myself, and you, what's the best strategy a robot with no attack systems can use in the competition?
Help? ><

So you have 8 days until ship, which is 8 more days to do incredible things. Plenty of teams can tell you stories about what great things they've accomplished just before ship.

Right now, talk to your team and focus on ONE thing. Set up a game plan to get that one thing done before ship. That will do you a lot more good than lamenting your losses, because there's still time to create some huge scoring potential.

[cziggy343]

yes, you can still build something in the 8 day period left. your whole team has to have one set attack plan to build the robot. if that happens, it can still get done, just get the whole team to work as one unit.

but to answer your question, if you want a strategy, get really good at a) evading and driving around like crazy so you dont be a liability, b) get good at pinning others so that the scorers on your team can go to work, and c) pushing empty cells without a manipulator

[gblake]

Originally Posted by cziggy343

yes, you can still build something in the 8 day period left. your whole team has to have one set attack plan to build the robot. if that happens, it can still get done, just get the whole team to work as one unit.

but to answer your question, if you want a strategy, get really good at a) evading and driving around like crazy so you dont be a liability, b) get good at pinning others so that the scorers on your team can go to work, and c) pushing empty cells without a manipulator

What czig said, plus one more wingman duty. Keeping other bots from harrassing or scoring upon the ally you are escorting.

You could also try to simply sweep up and hold rocks so that they become scarce (probably tough to gather that many...), and then disgorge them only for your allies, or your allied payload specialists (easier than hitting a trailer).

You could reliably carry balls from the mission outpost to the payload specialist.

You could ask a nearby team to lend you some talent for a few days to help you quickly implement whatever you choose as your goal.

Blake
Or, you let the opoosing alliances score so many points that they are handicapped (fewer cells) in future matches. Their future opponents might thank you.

[Cyberphil]

If i were you, i would just try to stay in a corner by your fueling station. That way, if another robot tries to come towards you, your human player can play some defense.
There is my 2 cents.

[Rick Wagner]

Every winning alliance will need at least one robot that's good at running empty cells from the outpost to the airlock. You'll need a rotating hook to reliably pick up and drop off the empty cells, preferably one on each side of your robot. That's something a rookie team should be able to do in a week. Don't think you can just push empty cells on the floor--opposing robots will take them away from you. Add weight to your robot so you are just a half pound or so under the legal weight. That way you won't get pushed around by the opposition and can keep on track in your empty cell deliveries. Practice driving so you can deliver four empty cells in 100 seconds. You may get picked for the winning alliance that way.

[thefro526]

IMO, You Still have plenty of time to pull off making an offensive robot.

If you can make a roller and hopper, why not raise it off the ground about 42 inches or so? Load it up from the Human Player and you can score into trailers.

Just an Idea

[Dubdub]

Originally Posted by smurfgirl

So you have 8 days until ship, which is 8 more days to do incredible things. Plenty of teams can tell you stories about what great things they've accomplished just before ship.

Right now, talk to your team and focus on ONE thing. Set up a game plan to get that one thing done before ship. That will do you a lot more good than lamenting your losses, because there's still time to create some huge scoring potential.

100% percent with smurfgirl.

Last year was our first year for 2594, and we got as much done the last week as we did teh three weeks before. Just be prepared for a coulple sleepless nights and hope that you don't get slammed with alot of homework. GOOD LUCK!!!