2010 Game Hint #2

[ALIBI]

See the second photo on post #49 by Cyberphill. The "yellow" plate was only on one side of the gate, now there is a "yellow" plate on both sides in the clue. The photograph shows four "yellow" plates between the gates. The gates have simply been moved one section in towards the middle and they now have the "yellow" plates on both sides.

[bduddy]

Originally Posted by ALIBI

See the second photo on post #49 by Cyberphill. The "yellow" plate was only on one side of the gate, now there is a "yellow" plate on both sides in the clue. The photograph shows four "yellow" plates between the gates. The gates have simply been moved one section in towards the middle and they now have the "yellow" plates on both sides.

To make this clearer, look at this picture:
http://usfirst.org/uploadedFiles/FE-00032.pdf

Assuming the basic shape and construction of the field is the same, including the yellow plates (a big assumption!), there could very easily be four gates, each between a pair of the yellow plates. Aside from that, the gates appear to look the same way they always have. Of course, they might just be pulling a fast one on us...

[Taylor]

The gate is standard issue from past years - it serves as an ingress/egress point for the robots and field crew. The "horizontal" part of the gate is external to the field; the "vertical" part flexes down to provide a ramp. However, I'm puzzled by the bar above the diamond plate. I know there is a hinge on the right side to allow it to flex vertical to let the robot(s) through, but I can't tell what that pin on the left side is. Was there a spring mechanism to lock it in place that I'm forgetting? As I recall, it was just a round pipe that the removable polycarb section would slide on.

I'm having trouble visualizing a wide gate in the middle of the field. Traditionally, that is where the scoring table would be. If robots enter/exit through the middle of the field, they would be going over a LOT of wires connected to the field. This leads me to two conclusions: either the field is completely wireless and the scoring table is somewhere completely different, or there is one main entry/exit point on one side of the field. Perhaps there is a large field component directly across from this gate that would take up too much space to allow gates on the other side. This gives me trouble, too - FIRST fields have been traditionally symmetrical both horizontally and vertically. Because there are so many different configurations of arenas that host FIRST events and offseasons, this has been a necessity.

[Bob Steele]

Originally Posted by bduddy

To make this clearer, look at this picture:
http://usfirst.org/uploadedFiles/FE-00032.pdf

Assuming the basic shape and construction of the field is the same, including the yellow plates (a big assumption!), there could very easily be four gates, each between a pair of the yellow plates. Aside from that, the gates appear to look the same way they always have. Of course, they might just be pulling a fast one on us...

My only reaction to the yellow plates is that they are there for a purpose. ( And have been for a number of years...)
they cover up a brace (which lies underneath) to hold up the side of the field.

Two would be necessary for two braces.... on last year's field... a brace on the side closest to the end was NOT necessary because of the way the field was constructed in the corners.

If anything if we make the assumption that the gates are in the same place as other years in relation to the ends, this would indicate that the corners of the field are not like last year and need a brace on the outside to support the side of the field.

Another assumption could be made that the gates have been moved closer to the middle... and that more bracing is needed because of that...

Remember its a render... and not complete...hence the absence of detail.

I say it means "not regolith" and that's about all we can say..

I can't wait until HINT #3 which will come on Saturday...around 7:00 AM my time....

It will be a really big hint....

[AcesJames]

I have a feeling that the shadow of the railing is really important in this hint, for some odd reason. I don't know why, it's just my initial impression. Plus, Dave did say not to see things as they appear. A shadow of the field might somehow tell a different story than the field pieces themselves.

Just food for thought.

[TD912]

Just wondering, but should this be in the Rumor Mill board?

[jamie_1930]

Originally Posted by TD912

Just wondering, but should this be in the Rumor Mill board?

It seems like it should be to many people and that's why we have to keep answering this question. No, the Game Hints are released officially by FIRST so it's not a rumor, it's a clue.

[jamie_1930]

For anyone still trying to find the picture themselves it's right herehttp://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprogr....aspx?id=16119
when you go to usfirt.org you need to click the frc tab at the top and then the link will be at the updates section underneath the picture

My thought right now is that were back to the regular old carpet, but in my opinion everyone will be so excited that they can have robots with high traction they'll lack maneuverability in their design. I think that last years wheels may even come in handy if used right.

Also, and I really hope this is it, I think that since many people have been saying the gate looks like it's been shifted down towards the middle of the field (a little not to the middle). That this suggest there is a type of field element in the way. This supports what several students and mentors have been saying on my team, that we will be seeing some ramps this year.

[JKWarrior]

Originally Posted by bduddy

To make this clearer, look at this picture:
http://usfirst.org/uploadedFiles/FE-00032.pdf

Assuming the basic shape and construction of the field is the same, including the yellow plates (a big assumption!), there could very easily be four gates, each between a pair of the yellow plates. Aside from that, the gates appear to look the same way they always have. Of course, they might just be pulling a fast one on us...

maybe the gate has been moved to the center of the field (replaceing the human player positions in your link

[artdutra04]

The yellow plates are on the outside of the field, and are there to keep people from tripping. They are polyethylene (plastic) panels. I'm guessing the reason they are flat in the second game hint is because they were too lazy to actually model the curve. They have hook Velcro on the bottom, and are stuck to the carpet just by putting pressure down on them, as they bend quite easily.

2009: (yellow)


2008: (green with caution tape)


2007: (yellow)


2006: (yellow)

Originally Posted by Karibou

Maybe they just removed that to make the objects in this image more visible? I don't know why they would decide to be THAT nice, though.

This is only my 3rd year in FRC. I've always known the field with the plastic siding. Was that nonexistent in previous years?

2005 was the first year of using polycarbonate side panels along the entire field. Before that, the sides of the field were just the aluminum tubing with a single wire strung in between; the only places that had polycarbonate panels were at the gates. I know this first hand, because our 2004 robot got stuck on these wires a lot.

Edit: I just noticed, that in the photo from 2004 linked to above, instead of the polyethylene plastic panels, there's diamond plate protecting the field supports. So the move to the yellow plastic was probably just to save costs.

[delsaner]

Originally Posted by artdutra04

The yellow plates are on the outside of the field, and are there to keep people from tripping. They are polyethylene (plastic) panels. I'm guessing the reason they are flat in the second game hint is because they were too lazy to actually model the curve. They have hook Velcro on the bottom, and are stuck to the carpet just by putting pressure down on them, as they bend quite easily.

Would this mean that the game hint isn't about the yellow pads? If they have been around in previous years and they are back this year, then that doesn't really seem like anything new.

[Katie_UPS]

I believe the robots will have to ride unicycles. The wider gates are for the EMTs to pick up any robots that get hurt.

[BrendanB]

Arrive in Florida, get a free suite, and there is another game hint, NICE!

From the looks of a more open field, I'm thinking that the scoring is either A: on the left and right and left side of the field much like 2006 or B: in the middle of the field like in 2007.

Oh and I see much more carpet than in previous years!