pic: Team 221 LLC. - Wild Swerve Module

[Andrew Schreiber]

Originally Posted by Enigma's puzzle

So here is the real kicker.

Now that anyone one with a little cash and some programing prowess can have a Swerve drive quite similar to WildStang, What does WildStang have? So much hard work to perfect, suddenly handed to the opposition? Not that they aren't smart enough to come up with new ideas.

Yes, we can all have a swerve drive similar to 111's. We still do not have their experience with it. They have built swerving machines for as long as I can remember, they know the strengths and weaknesses of this style of play. They know how to integrate these strengths into their strategy.

A good robot is only half the formula for winning. Again using my favorite example of a good robot and an amazing strategy, 1114 in 2008 was NOT the best robot. They were the best team. They had a great strategy and a robot designed to implement that strategy. Yes we can now all have a 111 style drive, we can all have shifting transmissions, we can all have PID loops in our controls. Doesn't change the fact that unless you know how to use something it does you no good.


(As usual, my disclaimers about not picking on 1114 apply here. They were a fantastic machine but they did not win because of that.)