FRC 2011: Logomotion [Initial Impressions]

[Leav]

Originally Posted by apalrd

We are very, very glad that our 2007 robot still works perfectly (the arm at least) because we just fixed it up for a parade.

not sure what you mean by this, since you later mention thinking about ideas... just FYI: using mechanisms from old robots is not allowed. (some stuff is allowed, but I won't interpert the rules here.)

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by Leav

not sure what you mean by this, since you later mention thinking about ideas... just FYI: using mechanisms from old robots is not allowed. (some stuff is allowed, but I won't interpert the rules here.)

Oh darn!
And here I was thinking we could just bag our 2007 robot and take a nice seven week break til FLR.
Guess it's time to get to brainstorming.

[apalrd]

Originally Posted by Leav

not sure what you mean by this, since you later mention thinking about ideas... just FYI: using mechanisms from old robots is not allowed. (some stuff is allowed, but I won't interpert the rules here.)

Our 07 bot manipulates tubes, similar to this year's game pieces. We can look at what it did to score, and see how well it works for the new game pieces (which are very similar to the 07 tube).

We wouldn't use it, just look at how it works and see if we can use the stuff we learned back then again now.

That robot's arm is built of .030 aluminum tube, which is very thin. Analysis said it was very close to breaking, and after about 10 hours of play time it did. We repaired it, but it is still very, very close to catastrophic failure.

[penguinfrk]

Originally Posted by BBnum3

I think that the endgame is insanely important. If your alliance gets the first two minibots, that's 50 points, so the other alliance can only get 25. Those 25 points are going to be almost impossible to make up using tubes alone.

That's why I think this game is a bit lopsided. For the last 10 seconds of a match to be able to swing the first 125 seems a bit unbalanced to me. 20-15-10-5 or 15-10-5-0 seems more reasonable (and the 0 may add a little twist in strategy...)

Originally Posted by oddjob

For the participants, it will be challenging and fun as it always is when you are competing. In the grand scheme of broadening the appeal of FRC, this game is a step backwards from 2010 "soccer" and a huge disappointment.

I agree. As IndySam mentioned, it's not to say that non-FTC students can't become great FRC students. The FIRST vision says "To transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders" and I don't read anything about being specifically part of any team (Jr.FLL, FLL, FTC, FRC, VEX, etc).

That being said, I think working with the parts restrictions introduces a new type of innovation not formerly present in FRC: designing around limited parts to achieve your ends. For many rookie teams, this arguably provides a more level playing field because the parts aren't as expensive, no excessive resources required (machining, expertise, ...)