pic: You guys remember what most of us said would never happen last year?

[Paul Copioli]

First off, I laughed out loud when I saw the picture.

Second, there were some questions earlier in the thread regarding what sort of things did we do new? Also, there was some mention of collaboration and I want to address that too.

What we did new this year:

1. Take balls from the floor ... successfully - We have been a team since 1999 and only one other time did we attempt to get balls fromthe floor: 2001. Our robot at the Championship that year di not even have the floor loading mechanism on it as it did not work (we were called "Royal Fusion" back then). This is the first year we are picking balls up from the floor.

2. Traction control - We had this figured out within the first 2 weeks and shared exactly what we were thinking on these very forums. We have never done traction control before this year.

3. #25 chain for drive. This requires new mechanisms and we learned how to handle #25 chain.

4. Use absolute encoders with analog outputs. Historically we have used traditional digital output encoders using digital inputs..

Collaboration: I am a big fan and if you can contribute an equal share to the collaboration effort, then it will be a true collaboration. However, if one team is doing all the work and the other is benefitting, then that is more of a mentor / mentee relationship. This year, 217 collaborated with 148 and 1114. We also had a few design discussions with 1726 regarding the screw. 148, 217, and 1114 all discussed the turreted shooter and the helix. 1114 decided on a turreted shooter with a different intake. We decided on a turreted shooter with the helix. 18 decided on a massive dumper with a helical loader. you will see similarities between the robots, but not one uses the same parts.

Finally, 217 has been receiving sheet metal from IFI since 2006. To me, the sheet metal is what makes a TunderChicken robot a "ThunderChicken Robot" and for that 217 has John and the folks at IFI to thank.

Paul