8 days before we know....Where's all the speculation!?

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Posted by S. Krussell at 12/29/2000 9:48 AM EST


Coach on team #349, Robahamas, from International Academy and Ford Motor Co..



Hey! We find out next Saturday when FIRST unveils the game for 2001, in their usual dramatic form, black curtains and all.

So, any guesses as to how many teams will create an alliance [my guess is that 3 bots will be on the field at all times].

And what about the object(s) to be fought over? Balls,boxes, irregulars?...... rigid,flexible?..........
small, medium, large?.............

what about multipliers?...........
what about other objects on the field:barriers, obstacles?................will the bots have to climb any ramps or other structures?..........

How high (or low)will the 'game pieces' need to be placed for points?................

Will the robots have to be touching or atop each other for points?

Will the robots need to be off the floor for points?

Or have Dean, Woodie and company come up with a whole new idea, thus surprising us all?

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Posted by Peter Krumdieck at 12/30/2000 12:06 AM EST


Engineer on team #353, Pobots, from POB Central School District.


In Reply to: 8 days before we know....Where's all the speculation!?
Posted by S. Krussell on 12/29/2000 9:48 AM EST:



: Hey! We find out next Saturday when FIRST unveils the game for 2001, in their usual dramatic form, black curtains and all.

: So, any guesses as to how many teams will create an alliance [my guess is that 3 bots will be on the field at all times].

: And what about the object(s) to be fought over? Balls,boxes, irregulars?...... rigid,flexible?..........
: small, medium, large?.............

: what about multipliers?...........
: what about other objects on the field:barriers, obstacles?................will the bots have to climb any ramps or other structures?..........

: How high (or low)will the 'game pieces' need to be placed for points?................

: Will the robots have to be touching or atop each other for points?

: Will the robots need to be off the floor for points?

: Or have Dean, Woodie and company come up with a whole new idea, thus surprising us all?

I heard (i.e., started) a rumor that there will be more emphisis on the programing aspect.

Perhaps a little freestlye program before the judges?

What about the compulsorys (sp?); can your bot do perfect figure 8's?

-pete

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Posted by Ken Leung at 12/30/2000 4:32 AM EST


Student on team #192, Gunn Robotics Team, from Henry M. Gunn Senior High School.


In Reply to: Re: 8 days before we know....Where's all the speculation!?
Posted by Peter Krumdieck on 12/30/2000 12:06 AM EST:



Programming hasn't been one of the most challenging aspect of the competition, and I do agree that there should be some 'upgrade' into it. But I would still hesitate to see more emphisis on the programming.

This competition has been more emphisis on the mechanical side of engineering, and because the robot is a pretty big thing to build, it can easily involve a team more then 30 person, and that's why it is such a valuable teaching experience to many people.

But programming has been a job for couple of person for our team, and I can't imagine any more than that can work on the program, as most of the work take some brain power to crank out codes. If there are more emphisis on this, then it will mean more work for those paticular students, and not necessary more learning experience for the entire team.

After all, the spirit of FIRST is still education for many students through out the country, not small groups of people purly aiming for winning...

[archiver]

Posted by S. Krussell at 12/30/2000 6:48 AM EST


Coach on team #349, Robahamas, from International Academy and Ford Motor Co..


In Reply to: Re: 8 days before we know....Where's all the speculation!?
Posted by Peter Krumdieck on 12/30/2000 12:06 AM EST:



What an excellent idea, Pete, although the teams that rely on the default program probably wouldn't think so. What makes it a good idea is that it would drag many teams (albeit kicking and screaming!) up to the 'next level' of competition.

My kids have been working really hard on programming for this year (gee, no wonder I like your idea )and it has added a whole new dimension to this competition for those kids.

What we have learned is: 1) that the pbasic program is very do-able for high school kids and

2) there are MANY levels of understanding and sophistication to programming. (We ourselves are still programming rookies)

Therefore, this is a perfect aspect of the competition to concentrate on, to build on, and even to emphasize. Programming the robot is not merely a finishing touch; it is more of a thread of continuity that weaves through the process and makes the design and construction of the robot shine through.

The veterans among us know that programming is a very exciting element of the competition. Veterans also know that if winning or doing well is a goal, then programming cannot be ignored.