The Only Constant is Change

[Stephen of REX]

Originally Posted by Alan Anderson

The simplest reason I can guess at is that the Classmate PC ended up costing less than a sufficiently robust fully custom solution (at least at the quantities we're talking about for FRC).

What if the PC isn't part of the control system, but part of the robot!

But in all seriousness, it would let each team have a dashboard program running on their OI for monitoring robot stats. (Personally I can't wait to try plugging an eye piece into it so I have a HUD while piloting the robot.)

[Big Kid]

The classmate PC is a great tool for us if its for the driver station, especially if its the Touch screen version of it, it would make the operator controls so much cooler (i prefer joysticks still for driver), and just because I began making a Heads-Up Display for our robot for next year, GREAT TIMING FIRST!

[biojae]

The classmate PC is a great tool for us if its for the driver station, especially if its the Touch screen version of it, it would make the operator controls so much cooler (i prefer joysticks still for driver), and just because I began making a Heads-Up Display for our robot for next year, GREAT TIMING FIRST!

if it is the TouchScreen version and the touch data is sent to the robot, then my work this fall is practically wasted

[Big Kid]

Originally Posted by biojae

if it is the TouchScreen version and the touch data is sent to the robot, then my work this fall is practically wasted

Well all i have to say is continue what your doing you never know, and even if it is you can still integrate that with the new or old system if you'd like you'd only have two touch screen instead of one

[Ryan Simpson]

Going back to the actual game, could there be a constantly moving field? Then, drive teams would have to pay attention to both the robots and the field.

[miketwalker]

Originally Posted by rsimpson

Going back to the actual game, could there be a constantly moving field? Then, drive teams would have to pay attention to both the robots and the field.

This is something that, unfortunately perhaps, never occur within FIRST. Although sometimes large and more expensive objects do occasionally show up (2003s ramps, 2007's rack, etc) you have to keep in mind that teams need to be able to build a field or at least the important parts without spending their entire budget. Furthermore, anything beyond casters is pretty tough to make reliable.

A perfect example is 2004's ball release system. A simple motor assembly was created and wired into the scoring system to rotate a trap door to release balls onto the field. By the Friday of Week 1 regionals there was a need for a volunteer on each side with a rod to whack at the thing to release the balls. It's just very difficult to make mechanized components on the field and still be able to guarantee match consistency. For example, in 2004s case, imagine a match where theres a minimal point difference, something where a team won by one ball. However, the other team had to wait an additional 5 seconds for their balls to release. Who is to say that wouldn't change the match?

Don't get me wrong, I really have been crossing my finger that something like an AndyMark/FIRST collaboration (*cough* *cough* You know you want to Mark...) could try out some simple mechanical gates or trap doors like in 2004 and have a go at making a reliable setup. Plus, with something like AndyMark in the loop you know the mechanism used in the game could be purchased by teams or machined since their CADs are usually available, especially in a case like this. But trust me, an entire field moving... that's not something on the horizon. Hopefully some sort of moving component or input triggered game piece/component will be in the cards one day soon though.

[EricVanWyk]

Originally Posted by biojae

if it is the TouchScreen version and the touch data is sent to the robot, then my work this fall is practically wasted

Even if it is a touch screen class mate, your work is not at all wasted. You learned a lot, and your skills will definitely be relevant. Document it well and put it on your resume. Post on CD when it gets you a cool job!

[biojae]

Originally Posted by EricVanWyk

Even if it is a touch screen class mate, your work is not at all wasted. You learned a lot, and your skills will definitely be relevant. Document it well and put it on your resume. Post on CD when it gets you a cool job!

the touchscreen actually is the easy part. the other 80% is getting the robot to follow the path correctly

and that involves physics! and math!

[Jonathan Norris]

For me this is a very telling blog post by Bill. If major change is coming, I am totally for it. I have recently come under the thought that FIRST needs to start thinking about major change in its organization in order to reach its goal of: "To transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology heroes."

The current model that FIRST uses has run its course, its done a fantastic job of getting the students involved and inspired by Science and Technology, but we aren't reaching enough students to 'transform culture' and invoke lasting positive change. In my opinion FIRST has been very stagnant since 2006, and really needs to shake things up to accelerate the growth and influence of FIRST.

Constant evolving change is the force that powers the most innovative companies in the world, many of whom support FIRST. It is this type of innovative change that FIRST needs to look for, enough refining the current model, at some point you need to accept the risks and take big adventurous steps towards reach that ultimate goal. I'm not talking about a major change in how the game is played, its got to be bigger then that.

[JesseK]

With all of FIRST's cost-cutting measures, I expect to see a smaller field, smaller robots and lower weight limits. This significantly reduces shipping costs, especially when you multiply 20lbs by 1500 teams.

Other than that I maybe expect to see a cone, rhombus, or trapezoidal-shaped game piece since another constant of change is to move away from the standard circle-triangle-square game pieces.

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pockets

Personally I'm interested in seeing if any other states end up adopting a system similar to the one used in Michigan in the coming season.

It was announced last year at NJ that if they couldn't get something like that together for 2010, then it would be 2011. It won't be 2010, but it is coming without a doubt.

Originally Posted by rtfgnow

the only thing for certain is uncertainty

Didn't Heisenberg say that?

Reading it carefully., I think Bill is referring to the basic structure of FIRST, not as much about the game per se. Jonathan Norris said it well.

[Chris is me]

I'm personally hoping the district model does not come to my state, if only because I want to participate in FIRST rather than a robotics competition...

If the point system is changed, then I'd be happy with it. The Midwest (Wisconsin / Illinois / Minnesota) region would be a good fit, with over 100 teams between the three states. Saving money never killed anyone, and my team would LOVE to do 3 events and a State event for less than we pay now.

I'm just hoping that the District "pilot" isn't taken as a runaway mega success and absolutely nothing is changed from it and everyone has to do districts everywhere, as there are many parts to the system that don't work well with many regions, or sit well with many teams (Pretty sure a lot of teams want to travel...)

[Akash Rastogi]

Originally Posted by Chris is me

I'm personally hoping the district model does not come to my state, if only because I want to participate in FIRST rather than a robotics competition...

If the point system is changed, then I'd be happy with it. The Midwest (Wisconsin / Illinois / Minnesota) region would be a good fit, with over 100 teams between the three states. Saving money never killed anyone, and my team would LOVE to do 3 events and a State event for less than we pay now.

I'm just hoping that the District "pilot" isn't taken as a runaway mega success and absolutely nothing is changed from it and everyone has to do districts everywhere, as there are many parts to the system that don't work well with many regions, or sit well with many teams (Pretty sure a lot of teams want to travel...)

I have faith in FiM in that they'll take the survey and evaluate it and make changes. ...Hey, its like a Beta test

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Akash Rastogi

I have faith in FiM in that they'll take the survey and evaluate it and make changes. ...Hey, its like a Beta test

There are some definitely interesting results. I've looked at the tables, so I can say this, but some of the calls on the structure were not exactly expected. Very few items (1) had less than 50% approval, but there were a few with relatively high dissatisfaction rates (relatively high in this case is > 10%--that's kind of significant in this type of group).

If the geography and the points can be worked out, as well as things like how can a team play outside their "home" district without penalty, I think this could certainly be a worthwhile change.