The Only Constant is Change

[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.