Breakaway in review: what have we learned?

[TomH]

Originally Posted by Sumathi

When driving over the bumps be careful, there is a chance to lose connection if the robot hits the bump just right. >.<

Well, I agree with that, but not just the bump, but any major contact anywhere on the field could result in a failure of some sort.

What I think everyone has really seemed to have an eye on though is the bumps, and seeing some go under, some over, it seems that there is an attempt by almost everyone to get to a different zone. I think the bumps of Breakaway are a scare factor in the game as well, as that we all don't want to go up one side alive, and down either side dead (kinda like climbing a mountain). I think FIRST was trying to make us think, whats really worth attempting in a 2 minute, 15 second game. Now don't take my thought the wrong way, I definitely believe that the bump is not the worse thing that could be placed on a field to be tackled by robots, but it also forces some teams to think small and compact for the tunnel which can be easily blocked accidentally or on purpose. So yes, Breakaway has some scare factors in it as well as last year (Lunacy and the trailers and little traction), as most likely for years to come. Keep you eyes on the bumps though, they can definitively make or break a game and/or a robot.

-Tom H