what is the size of the electronics

[Jon Stratis]

Originally Posted by Don Rotolo

Note that last year's rules had some specific language as to which lights needed to be visible, and you need to consider the 2010 rules as well.

Also, for what it is worth, anything you design (or build) prior to kickoff really is not eligible to be included on your 2010 robot, assuming the 2010 rules are similar to all previous years rules in this respect. But this is a good time to think about concepts and such.

Not exactly... What you're talking about is <R24> from 2009 (the number is probably different in previous years, but the intent has always been the same). it states:

Prior to the Kick-off: Before the formal start of the Robot Build Season, teams are encouraged to think as much as they please about their ROBOTS. They may develop prototypes, create proof-of-concept models, and conduct design exercises. Teams may gather all the raw stock materials and COTS COMPONENTS they want. But absolutely no final design, fabrication, or assembly of any elements intended for the final ROBOT is permitted prior to the Kick-off presentation.

Based on the rule, teams are encouraged to do this type of thinking and design in the off-season - you simply can't use any final designs or assembled components.

For example, it's going to be nearly impossible to determine how many Jaguars, Victors, and Spikes you'll use from year to year - so how can you design a box that would include everything?

If the OP takes the dimensions and develops some general designs - for example, by doing some example layouts and determining the pro's and con's of different wiring strategies, some valuable skills can be learned - and when the season starts and the specifics of the robot are known, that information can be put to good use.

Plus, the room available for the electrical system changes every year based on robot design... there's no way we could use the same electrical board year to year. Our team has developed some ideas concerning that (although no detailed designs yet), so stay tuned... it should be pretty nice.