Team Update 2-19 and FRC Blog - Week 0 Observations and Stop Build Day

[cgmv123]

Human Actions
G35


The most recent FRC Blog describes the observations and lessons learned about ULTIMATE ASCENT game play during the two Week 0 scrimmages attended by FRC staff. One observation in particular is the basis for an edit, shown below, to Rule [G35].

During the creation and refinement of ULTIMATE ASCENT, we anticipated DISCS to occasionally and accidently be shot off the FIELD by ROBOTS and FEEDERS. However, we underestimated the intensity and degree to which FEEDERS would launch DISCS at the opposite ends of the FIELD. The aggressive throws plus the propensity for DISCS to leave the FIELD at high velocity caused a more distracting, and more notably hazardous, environment than anticipated for participants and equipment in and around the ARENA.

We strongly resist any significant rule changes after games are released, but this change is required to improve the safety for all FRC event participants. After discussing several options, we believe this particular change is the most effective and efficient way to mitigate risks. We apologize for our error and for having to make this game modification.

DISCS may be fed onto the FIELD only under the following circumstances:

A. during TELEOP through the FEEDER SLOTS for any DISCS and

B. during the last thirty (30) seconds of TELEOP over the FEEDER STATIONS for Red and Blue DISCS.

Violation: FOUL

root
Game Manual


As a reminder to Teams, a required Driver Station update was released on February 5. All Teams must update their Driver Station software to at least version 1.29.13.00.

Teams should not touch the GOALS at any point as this could impact the weight sensors used to score DISCS. Teams will be reminded of this during the Drivers’ Meeting, and the GOALS will be labeled with “Do not touch” stickers.

and

On Saturday, February 16th, FRC staff supported two ‘Week 0’ scrimmages, one in Connecticut and one in New Hampshire. These events were run with official fields and electronics that will be put on the road during competition season. FRC supports these events so we can test out our systems and see how the game plays with real FRC Teams. We carefully review what we see at these events, and work to improve our systems, and if necessary, the game, in preparation for competition.

Here’s what we learned about which we thought you’d like to hear:

• Field reset can be fairly quick, although it will require more coordination than in past years. Provided there’s a plan and organization about collecting and staging discs, it’s pretty manageable. Practice day will be a huge help in getting everyone on the same page and running smoothly.
• The belay system is effective at helping remove robots from the pyramids, but it will require much communication and collaboration between the team and the field staff to make sure it’s done safely and effectively (thanks to Team 811 for giving us several opportunities to try this out!).
• To mitigate cost and complexity and maximize access for testing and troubleshooting, the goals are designed to be fairly open. Because the FMS calculates the score based on the weight of the discs in the goals, it’s important that teams not touch any of the goals (over their head or the low goal). We’ll make sure this reminder is covered in the Drivers’ Meetings and we’ll be labeling the goals with “Do Not Touch” stickers.
• The netting on the sides of the field was helpful, but we still had significant issues with discs leaving the field during the match. During the last 30 seconds, when feeders are allowed to enter discs onto the field over the feeder stations, discs were going everywhere. This period was described on the forums as a ‘blizzard’ and it ‘raining’ discs. These are accurate characterizations. There are several issues with this, the most significant being safety. While discs thrown by robots for the most part stayed within the confines of the field, many discs thrown by the feeders did not. This is understandable – feeders are attempting a difficult shot at an awkward angle. This makes it exciting when a disc goes in a goal, but also increases the chance that a disc will leave the playing field and potentially strike someone. We noticed that during the last 30 seconds of the match, many folks closest to the field had their heads up to make sure they weren’t going to be hit by an errant disc, rather than enjoying the action on the field.

This last bullet is particularly compelling and, unfortunately, was serious enough that we felt the need to modify the game to rectify the situation (the official rule change is in today’s Team Update). As we hope we conveyed in the Team Update, we don’t take significant rules changes lightly as we know that teams carefully study the rules and invest hours or even days coming up with the best strategy they can within the framework of those rules.

We know that the robots we saw at these events were still works in progress, as teams still had three days before they needed to bag up. Even so, we were impressed with and excited by what we saw and can’t wait to see more. We’re so grateful to the event planning committees and the teams themselves for giving this opportunity to do a couple of dress rehearsals. We hope it was a fun and valuable experience for all participants.

Stop Build Day

In case you lost track of time, today is Stop Build Day! Robots must be bagged up by the stroke of midnight – your local time - tonight (when today, of course, turns in to tomorrow).



I’ll blog again soon.

Frank

Major change. One that will probably take away from the game, but I understand why they did it.

[dodar]

So, normal discs cannot be thrown at all?

Originally Posted by dodar

So, normal discs cannot be thrown at all?

That's what I get from it.

[dodar]

Originally Posted by Andrew Lawrence

That's what I get from it.

This will greatly lessen the end game. Imagine if all those epic endgame shots hadnt happened last year; some of those moments were more amazing than some by the robots.

Oh, and this is my 1,592nd post!!!
Go Bionic Tigers!

[dcarr]

Originally Posted by dodar

This will greatly lessen the end game. Imagine if all those epic endgame shots hadnt happened last year; some of those moments were more amazing than some by the robots.

Maybe so. But I do FIRST to inspire/be inspired about STEM, not athletic ability...there are plenty of other sports for that.

[dodar]

Originally Posted by dcarr

Maybe so. But I do FIRST to inspire/be inspired about STEM, not athletic ability...there are plenty of other sports for that.

Its not about athletic ability, but to inspire you have to have the quality of a product to attract, and then hook students and mentors. Would a new student rather see 3 teams completely dominate another alliance because they have an amazing distance shooter and 2 hangers or see a match where that alliance is going up against a distance shooter, a hanger, and a ground clean up bot and the score is decided by HP scores? I would say the latter could be a greater way to inspire.

[nuggetsyl]

While I am disappointed in the rule change. I have talked to a few people that were at a week 0 event. The GDC made a decision to protect the kids and field crew and I fully support their decision. We will adapt and go kick some bot. On am added note I agree with Cory a few posts down in how the GDC could not see this coming is almost a crime in itself.

[dodar]

How tall were the nets? And are the media people for each team required to stay behind the nets? Also, are the nets going to be too tall to see psat them with the regional webcast? Because seeing streams and team videos through netting will be extremely annoying.

[Cory]

It's laughably bad that the GDC didn't have the foresight to realize this was going to happen.

Seriously, who didn't think that there would be a barrage of frisbees flying everywhere?

It's like a year ago when they came up with the game they said 2+2=5 and then today realized it actually equals 4...

Originally Posted by dodar

How tall were the nets? And are the media people for each team required to stay behind the nets? Also, are the nets going to be too tall to see psat them with the regional webcast? Because seeing streams and team videos through netting will be extremely annoying.

I highly doubt you'd even be able to see the netting from a webcast. I'm sitting 6' from some right now and it doesn't obstruct your view at all.

[nicholsjj]

Originally Posted by Cory

It's laughably bad that the GDC didn't have the foresight to realize this was going to happen.

Seriously, who didn't think that there would be a barrage of frisbees flying everywhere?

Should teams have not have had the foresight then that this would occur or were we the only team to?

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by nicholsjj

Should teams have not have had the foresight then that this would occur or were we the only team to?

You anticipated that the GDC would make a ship day rule change completely changing how the game is played, invalidating a potentially great endgame strategy? I wish I had that kind of foresight.

[Keefe2471]

I think he was saying the opposite actually. That the GDC should have antipated our anticipation

On a more personal note this is an awful time to change the game. A more specialized net should have been the first thing attempted. Although the size of these nets has been concerning me the entire season, this response seems "nuclear" in the magnitude it affects the game.

[IndySam]

Originally Posted by nicholsjj

Should teams have not have had the foresight then that this would occur or were we the only team to?

Can you get your team to pick powerball numbers for me?

[Andrew Schreiber]

Originally Posted by nicholsjj

Should teams have not have had the foresight then that this would occur or were we the only team to?

Honestly? No. I knew this part of the game was potentially dangerous. However, I assumed that FIRST had taken steps to mitigate this danger. I assumed that the people who design these games had learned from past games (2012, 2007, and 2006 come to mind).

[topgun]

Floor Pickup will still be valuable for autonomous for those teams going for a 7 disc autonomous. The extra four discs can still add 24 points.

I think it raises the value of those robots with less than accurate long shooters as a potential alliance pick. They will be able to rain in the discs if needed for an accurate floor feeder.

Floor feeders can still pickup at the feeding stations though it does add the trip time to their cycle time.

I see the floor feeders as still more versatile than feeder station only robots.

Having said all that, a bag day rule change that affects a team's choice of strategy still hurts.