Hot Zone Strategy

[DavisC]

So tracking the Hot Goal during Autonomous is obviously a goal for many teams. My question is about timing constraint plans for teams.

Given that each Hot Goal is live for only 5 seconds how are teams going to handle their robot setup/shooting/moving strategy.
(I.e. aim for the center and turn based on the Hot Goal ; or say you are aimed at the Hot Goal but for the 1st 5 seconds it isn't active, so you go ahead and drive forward, then fire when active or visa versa)

I also imagine if you have to let wheels spin up, then being aimed at the 1st Hot Goal wouldn't be as good.

Lastly, score counting; since the Arena Timer reaches 0 at the end of Autonomous I imagine the following rule applies, but doesn't this mean shooting for the 1st Hot Goal give you less time for the bonus score to still count?

3.1.4 Scoring
Points are awarded to ALLIANCES per the details below. Final scores will be assessed five (5) seconds after the ARENA timer displays zero (0) or when all elements come to rest, whichever event happens first.

[AndyBare]

You could use an ambient light sensor, with a hood or something, so that when light comes from the front, it triggers the program of doing whatever your atonomous does. This could be moving, moving then shooting, or shooting then moving. But because the goals will cycle, you will either "activate" during the first five seconds of autonomous, or the second five seconds. Activating would be when the sensor triggers. I don't know if this would work, but it sounds good. Let me know?

[Zuelu562]

This is how I would approach it in an absolute perfect world. Immediately upon the beginning of the game, have the robot drive forward and determine which vision target is active. Drive AWAY from that target, knowing that the other will be active in a second or two. Once that one turns on, fire away.

[RyanShoff]

Does the NSA sponsor any teams? Just do what they do.

Seriously though, you don't have to move. Line up on one side, look for your side's marker to illuminate, then shoot. If you don't see it after 6 seconds, shoot anyway, your vision isn't working.

[RyanShoff]

Originally Posted by RyanShoff

Does the NSA sponsor any teams? Just do what they do.

I'll answer my our question.

Somebody should track 1111 'The Power Hawks' hot goal percentage. Especially if they don't have a camera.

[pntbll1313]

I do not know what our teams shooting mechanism is yet but assuming it is some sort of catapult or something that can be cocked it should be able to fire within the first 5 seconds. In that case our autonomous could start pointing at one of the 2 goals, drive forward for 2 seconds, then start looking for the presence of the the 2 feet of retro reflective tape. As soon as it sees the tape it fires. If the first goal is not hot at the start it will be after 5 seconds so the robot still does not need to do anything but just drive forward. Of course if there is a goalie we may need to get tricky with shooting diagonally.

[ToddF]

We're planning to do this, but it's near the bottom of the list of our priorities. It's really not worth spending much effort on. It's only worth 5 points per match, and you have a 50% shot of getting it right anyway. On average that makes hot zone detection worth 2.5 points per match. There are better ways to spend your resources.

[EricDrost]

Originally Posted by ToddF

It's only worth 5 points per match

Assuming you only score one ball in auto

[DavisC]

Originally Posted by EricDrost

Assuming you only score one ball in auto

Good point. (the rule quoted below makes scoring multiple possible-realistically)

Also I don't think I missed anything this big, but is there any rule preventing carrying more than 1 ball?

G5
For ROBOTS starting in the white ZONE, the TEAM may preload one (1) of their ALLIANCE’s BALLS such that the BALL is touching their ROBOT.

For ROBOTS starting in their GOALIE ZONE the TEAM may decide if the BALL is: staged between the TRUSS and the ZONE LINE and not contacting an ALLIANCE partner, or removed from the FIELD for the MATCH.

If a ROBOT does not report to a MATCH, its ALLIANCE may decide if the BALL is: staged between the TRUSS and the ZONE LINE and not contacting an ALLIANCE partner, or removed from the FIELD for the MATCH.

[EricDrost]

Originally Posted by DavisC

Is there any rule preventing carrying more than 1 ball?

Only the volume of the ball.

[DavisC]

Originally Posted by pntbll1313

Of course if there is a goalie we may need to get tricky with shooting diagonally.

Goalie's won't exist on your own side during Autonomous.

EDIT: I am wrong, Goalie's do exist against you in Autonomous (Glossary Definition posted by irvingc below clarifies it)

G15
During AUTO,

a ROBOT starting in the white ZONE may not cross fully beyond the TRUSS
a ROBOT starting in its GOALIE ZONE must remain in contact with the carpet in its GOALIE ZONE.

Violation: FOUL. If contact with an opponent ROBOT, TECHNICAL FOUL.

[pntbll1313]

Originally Posted by DavisC

Goalie's won't exist on your own side during Autonomous.

Yes they will... That's one of the only 2 spots they can start. You even cited rule G15 which says that.

[DavisC]

Originally Posted by pntbll1313

Yes they will... That's one of the only 2 spots they can start. You even cited rule G15 which says that.

Oh wow, I interpreted that rule completely wrong, you are right. For some reason I always just thought "Their Goalie Zone" was on their side, But that makes no sense...

[Chadfrom308]

We are planning on getting there within the first 5 seconds and shooting (low goal) if the light sensor senses that it is tripped (hot goal active on current side) and have an 8 second timeout if the sensor doesn't get tripped at all for whatever reason

Camera never works for us for one reason or another and I don't see why it is necessary for this year

[PVCpirate]

Something relevant which we may need a Q&A for: how is the order of the HOT GOALS determined? I assume it's random but I'm not sure if it's stated explicitly in the manual.