Mini Bot - displeasure

[Mike Martus]

Am I the only person out in the Community of FIRST that thinks the constraints of Tetrix (FTC kit) to build the mini bot is UNFAIR!

Up until this year Michigan was discouraged from FTC as FIRST was scared that they would loose FRC Growth due to costs. Now the winds have changed and we are asked to do something that is not possible. Not possible because:
1. Many of us do not have $400.00 for a basic kit + all the extra stuff that will make the amount higher..
2. No kits are available for purchase. This is the BIG one!!!!

If FIRST is pushing FTC you would think that they would have made sure that there was a stock for kits..... after all there are MANY more FRC teams than FTC teams - especially in Michigan.

I do get that FIRST is trying to compete with VEX - but at our expense and stress level.

[Zachary Pilarsk]

a fellow michigan team feeling the constraints this really stinks for us

it also forces all teams to build nearly the same mini bot

[smistthegreat]

I definitely second this, as my team is also in a place without many FTC teams, and we just don't have the access to the kit! That's a pretty steep investment to ask of any team, and to force it on some teams simply because they are inconveniently located in relation to FTC teams is quite honestly unfair.

[Navid Shafa]

I have to say that I think that their idea was a good one, but their execution was poor. If you are unable to acquire one, due to mistakes on their part, that is truly unfair. You would think that if they knew these kind of things were coming, surplus stock would be prepared. I suppose you could do exactly what they want you to do, find the closest FTC team, and hope that they are generous. Sorry for the predicament this has put you and others in, good luck!

[Mike Schreiber]

Mike I couldn't agree more. Not only is the restriction ridiculous and the availability even worse.

Teams who aren't competing until week 2 might as well just wait and see what everyone else did, because with update #1 there is no point in innovation.

[BrendanB]

I understand/like the idea of FTC teams working with FRC teams, but I agree that the execution is very, very poor! I feel so bad for any teams without access to FTC kits!

[ttldomination]

I do agree that this is a bit "limiting" but I think you also have to look at it from FIRST's point of view, the biggest thing being damage to their sensors. If one of these bots shoots up in under a second, I think that could do some significant damage to a sensor.

- Sunny

[Lledargo]

I too agree, with no teams around, and nearly no budget there is no way we will be able to make a mini bot out of FTC parts, though our team would truly love to make one.

[Navid Shafa]

Originally Posted by ttldomination

From FIRST's point of view, the biggest thing being damage to their sensors. If one of these bots shoots up in under a second, I think that could do some significant damage to a sensor.

- Sunny

With the limited resources allowed, I'd be surprised to see a minibot that was able to do significant damage, even with the old rule set. The plates are designed to take at least 4-5 Newtons I'd bet even more. Knowing FIRST, these things will be made durable anyways, considering how much wear and tear it will receive at a regional event. I think it's A, a safety issue and B, a uniformity and regulation issue.

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by Mike Martus

Am I the only person out in the Community of FIRST that thinks the constraints of Tetrix (FTC kit) to build the mini bot is UNFAIR!

Up until this year Michigan was discouraged from FTC as FIRST was scared that they would loose FRC Growth due to costs. Now the winds have changed and we are asked to do something that is not possible. Not possible because:
1. Many of us do not have $400.00 for a basic kit + all the extra stuff that will make the amount higher..
2. No kits are available for purchase. This is the BIG one!!!!

If FIRST is pushing FTC you would think that they would have made sure that there was a stock for kits..... after all there are MANY more FRC teams than FTC teams - especially in Michigan.

I do get that FIRST is trying to compete with VEX - but at our expense and stress level.

Mike,

You're not quite stuck. Motors can be had for $30 per, and appear to be in stock on LEGO Education Store. We did the math Saturday and came up with a figure of around $200 if you have an NXT brick, including two motors, a battery, and the motor controller. Sheet aluminum, lexan, and rivets are all legal too, which practically every FRC team should be able to use.

While many aspects of minibots are frustrating to me, this one doesn't seem so bad.

[smistthegreat]

Also, although I agree with the minibot change as a safety concern, I am still displeased with the execution of the minibot idea. Along with being unfair to teams without FTC teams near them, it changes the dynamic of the minibot race. Instead of "Whose unique minibot can get to the top first?" it becomes "Whose robot can get to the tower and have their drivers press a button with 10 seconds left in order to get basically the same minibot as everyone else to start climbing first?"

[gblake]

Originally Posted by Mike Martus

...
I do get that FIRST is trying to compete with VEX - but at our expense and stress level.

I hope that FIRST isn't trying to compete with the programs that use Vex equipment. That mindset has been thoughtfully and resoundingly discouraged by more than enough well-respected STEM Robotics leaders within and outside of FIRST; and it certainly wouldn't earn anyone involved any coopertition points.

Blake

[Gdeaver]

We are a FLL, VEX and FRC organization. IMO, this is an effort to boost a floundering FTC program and drive up sales to keep supplier order quantities up.
We have a large VEX group of middle schoolers that would love to build us a mini-bot. And all the parts are in the building.

[mwtidd]

It's like you just got home and opened the package to the new _____ only to realize that batteries aren't included

[BrendanB]

Originally Posted by lineskier

It's like you just got home and opened the package to the new _____ only to realize that batteries aren't included

Haha, I love this line!