[FTC]: FTC Game Platform for 2009-2010

[Rick TYler]

Suggestions for changes to the robot/software platform for next year?

Here's one: go back to the Vex platform. www.vexrobotics.com and http://www.vexforum.com/wiki/index.php/VEXnet_Upgrade. The Vex platform certainly isn't perfect, but IFI has made huge strides in improving it every year.

Why does FIRST want to struggle making the LEGO/Pitsco platform full-featured and reliable when they already have a system like that available, that is more reliable and cheaper to boot? Just wondering...

If FIRST is locked into a partnership with LEGO, how about

1. Smaller, more reliable drive motors (the current motors are too powerful for the size of the field, and their failures are well known)
2. Tank treads
3. Rack and pinion gears
4. Chains and sprockets
5. Better shaft encoders
6. More reliable motor speed controllers
7. Longer axles
8. More chassis/stuctural material choices
9. Omniwheels
10. Some sort of linear sliding system

and

A reliable robot control system. I'm afraid Bluetooth will never be adequate to the task.