pic: You guys remember what most of us said would never happen last year?

[Lil' Lavery]

There hasn't even been any video of 217 posted on Chief Delphi. Nor has a single match been played by any of the three robots, or even anyone period.

Chill out, let the season play. Who knows? Maybe it'll turn out that corner dumpers and human players is the best strategy of all.

[Jared Russell]

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

There hasn't even been any video of 217 posted on Chief Delphi. Nor has a single match been played by any of the three robots, or even anyone period.

Chill out, let the season play. Who knows? Maybe it'll turn out that corner dumpers and human players is the best strategy of all.

This.

Good looking machines and track records aside, these teams have as many wins and losses as everyone else right now.

[JesseK]

These teams all do simple things well. Such is great engineering, don't get me wrong.

But other than 1114 saying that they've learned how to do sheet metal, I don't really see any of the three teams doing something new & hard to each individual team. I suppose what I'm curious about is, what have the three teams learned this season that they'd care to share? Are you guys doing anything special with the 900K of data you're receiving back from the robot? Did you try anything new <to you> mechanically?

I think possibly the biggest thing the rest of us can learn from this is the coopertition side of things. When teams work together to design things rather than going it alone, you can really come up with magnificent machines. I am one of the many at this point who are totally humbled by watching videos of such dominant machines.

[ComradeNikolai]

I never thought refrigerators could look so intimidating.

Really, though, was FIRST sponsored by GE or some other company this year?

[Jared Russell]

Originally Posted by ComradeNikolai

I never thought refrigerators could look so intimidating.

Really, though, was FIRST sponsored by GE or some other company this year?

I am jealous of the refrigerator that looks like this.

[ComradeNikolai]

Originally Posted by Jared341

I am jealous of the refrigerator that looks like this.

You should see my kitchen.

These are sweet, though. I want to see them in action.

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by ComradeNikolai

I never thought refrigerators could look so intimidating. ...

In a celebratory post last season, John suggested that an alliance of 1114, 217, and his refrigerator could win.

Maybe 148's robot will prove him right in 2009. I'm an admirer of high quality appliance designs.

[ComradeNikolai]

Originally Posted by Richard

In a celebratory post last season, John suggested that an alliance of 1114, 217, and his refrigerator could win.

Maybe 148's robot will prove him right in 2009. I'm an admirer of high quality appliance designs.

I think that was a game hint.

[JVN]

Originally Posted by JesseK

Did you try anything new <to you> mechanically?

Though the team has done it before... I've NEVER designed an intake mechanism. That was a fun new thing to try. I've been scared of them for years. Seems like it turned out okay.

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

There hasn't even been any video of 217 posted on Chief Delphi. Nor has a single match been played by any of the three robots, or even anyone period.

Chill out, let the season play. Who knows? Maybe it'll turn out that corner dumpers and human players is the best strategy of all.

For all we know part of their strategy is to post pictures and videos of their robots before the season began to demoralize the other teams.
Competition is as much about psychology as it is about ability. If you go in thinking you're going to lose then you just made a self fulfilling prophecy because you've lost before you've even made it to the field.

[Danny McC]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

For all we know part of their strategy is to post pictures and videos of their robots before the season began to demoralize the other teams.
Competition is as much about psychology as it is about ability. If you go in thinking you're going to lose then you just made a self fulfilling prophecy because you've lost before you've even made it to the field.

Very true Ed. very true. That is why I always have the thought train of we are going to win. And if not have the best time we can doing it.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

For all we know part of their strategy is to post pictures and videos of their robots before the season began to demoralize the other teams.
Competition is as much about psychology as it is about ability. If you go in thinking you're going to lose then you just made a self fulfilling prophecy because you've lost before you've even made it to the field.

I understand what you are saying, Ed, it can be part of the promotion of your own reputation, legacy, hard work. It can also be an intimidation factor if viewed as one. Champions can become champions by pulling out the stops and using every venue they can to achieve that title. We’ve seen that in many athletic sports/teams/venues. It’s a marketing tool as old as the first games, I’d wager.

Many respected and successful teams also champion the right and the room for self-improvement, self-development, and self-respect in other teams – learning to grow as a team and as competitors to be feared and respected. These teams also provide white papers and information concerning how their programs work and how to develop robot designs that are sound and effective. Several also give excellent presentations at the Championship conferences, sharing aspects of their team strengths, their engineering talents, and even their strategies.

All of this works together. One can’t just separate out some photographs and videos without looking at the other aspects of the teams that have made them competitors on a world championship level.

I’m always among the first to encourage each team to develop their program and their strengths, including recruiting engineers and mentors to help strengthen/obtain their goals and commitments. At the same time, I have to give a nod of respect to those teams who have already found that balance and continue to put it into practice year after year, achieving consistency, setting the bar, and acting as role models for others to learn from.

[Jared Russell]

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

I understand what you are saying, Ed, it can be part of the promotion of your own reputation, legacy, hard work. It can also be an intimidation factor if viewed as one. Champions can become champions by pulling out the stops and using every venue they can to achieve that title. We’ve seen that in many athletic sports/teams/venues. It’s a marketing tool as old as the first games, I’d wager.

Many respected and successful teams also champion the right and the room for self-improvement, self-development, and self-respect in other teams – learning to grow as a team and as competitors to be feared and respected. These teams also provide white papers and information concerning how their programs work and how to develop robot designs that are sound and effective. Several also give excellent presentations at the Championship conferences, sharing aspects of their team strengths, their engineering talents, and even their strategies.

All of this works together. One can’t just separate out some photographs and videos without looking at the other aspects of the teams that have made them competitors on a world championship level.

I’m always among the first to encourage each team to develop their program and their strengths, including recruiting engineers and mentors to help strengthen/obtain their goals and commitments. At the same time, I have to give a nod of respect to those teams who have already found that balance and continue to put it into practice year after year, achieving consistency, setting the bar, and acting as role models for others to learn from.

To turn this around, a perceived slight by the CD community can also be a powerful tool. I have used Fantasy First picks, otherwise innocent "quotes" from forum users, and other online "popularity contests" as motivation for our build and drive teams more than once.

Pictures and videos that people drool over can intimidate, but they also motivate. I think that the veteran teams who truly do "get it" hope that that is the message that gets received when they post their machines.

[Akash Rastogi]

Thanks everyone for hijacking a comedic thread. Really. Thanks for random neg rep and presumptuous posts too.

Originally Posted by Jared341

Pictures and videos that people drool over can intimidate, but they also motivate.

Finally, someone who sees it from my side of the window. (emphasis mine)

[JaneYoung]

Akash,

I’m sorry that the intended comedic thread was hijacked but at the same time, there has been some good discussion going on. In my opinion, none of the posts made were presumptuous although several became serious. Many mentors that read and post in CD always keep in mind how easily young people can be influenced. Mentors who are struggling to find effective ways to help their teams and their students develop, can see the impact that posts can have on the individuals on the team. Rookie teams and rookie members may not understand the joke or the humor that is implied and they may be intimidated, thinking this is the standard they have to meet as a first year or second year. It is easy to feel overwhelmed and intimidated if strong organizational support systems aren’t in place on a team. Sometimes, ChiefDelphi is a double-edged sword in that it provides wonderful information, resources, and experience. It can also be perceived as setting very high standards, perhaps too high for those who do not have the strong foundation in place that helps teams meet their goals. Some of these posts in this thread are about that, building stronger foundations – building a stronger team. Yes, it is great to have role models and teams to look up do, but keep your eye on the prize, don’t forget to work to become a champion in your own right.
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I see you edited your post to include Jared's quote. It's a good one.