Drive Systems... ...The FIRST Arms Race?

[Ken Patton]

Originally Posted by Jessica Boucher

Go ahead, make the game more conducive to using those motors in other places. But don't restrict their use. It's the best tool we have.

I agree. I think that there has been a trend toward a more-pushing style of play, and it has contributed to more powerful drives. But the reasons for it - and the solutions - could be addressed in a different way.

I think the number one factor determining how we play the game is the game design. Not the kit, and not the robot rules. If the game design enables teams to do nothing but push others around and still be "successful," then teams will do it. This has been the case in the last few years (and probably this year too).

If the game design has a valuable feature that only requires robots to deliver in the last 15 seconds of the match, my guess is that teams who optimize for those 15 seconds are going to have some time on their hands to go stir up some trouble for the remaining 2 minutes.... IMHO, this feature of the game has nothing to do with how many motors we get.

If the game design has some really important yet difficult feature, you know, something crazy like shootin' balls through a hole at 30 feet, and many teams say that task is too much to handle, I think its highly likely that they are instead going to play some D on the teams that do shoot well.

Don't get me wrong, the robot rules have an impact. For example, the near-mandate for bumpers has, in my opinion, encouraged teams to ram into each other because now its "safe." Maybe the rules and refs should just say "don't ram into each other."

The kit has an impact too. When teams get a kit part that works great, they'll use it.

Maybe its better to use the game design, and not the kit+robotrules, to steer the horde of us robot-builders. I would rather be amazed by some creative games and designs than be forced to see lookalike robots from every part of the country (oops world). I think its more interesting and inspiring. So, let us use our motors freely, with lots of current, efficient transfer of power, and some serious traction. Then give us a game that makes our preconceived notions obselete .

I remember going to Houston in 1998 and seeing a bot that could move sideways. Talk about inspiring.....