You can't see through an untouched starting wall of boxes

[Ian W.]

teams will tip. that's almost fact. hopefully, after the first match or two, they won't tip anymore. you can't promise anything though. one idea to see your robot is some tall flags. that would involve, GASP, a tape measure device, or something similar to run straight up with a stiff flag to tell direction. it's doable, and very possible. hopefully, at least one team will take out the bins though.

[HolyMasamune]

About the video cameras on our robots, I think I read somewhere that you can have laptops in the driver's area (though I highly doubt its authenticity). Can anyone confirm or disprove this? So if this is the case, you can see even with a wall of tubs blocking the middle. Plus you can always see through the sides where there isn't a ramp.

[Teedoff101]

A tip for building a tall stack bot: If u dont want to get tipped over, build the bot with a very low center of gravity, this way when u go up the ramp u wont tip, even if u get bumped by another bot. Yeah, the stacks are a problem if no one knocks them down in autonomous mode. A recommendation I would make is to have your team's programmers program at least 3 autonomous prgms so that u can do what your alliance parnter cant. THis way there is no possibility of not knocking down the stacks.

[Nate Smith]

Originally posted by HolyMasamune
About the video cameras on our robots, I think I read somewhere that you can have laptops in the driver's area (though I highly doubt its authenticity). Can anyone confirm or disprove this? So if this is the case, you can see even with a wall of tubs blocking the middle. Plus you can always see through the sides where there isn't a ramp.

Per the rules:

YES, you can have a laptop at the driver station for a dashboard application...

However...

FIRST's ruling every year re. cameras is that the reciever is NOT allowed to be in the driver station...

[Accie470]

I think FIRST intentionally made it so you couldn't see your robot at the begining of the game to make it more interesting and more of a challenge. using a camera would still be a bit of a challenge to the driver but kinda defeats the purpose.

[Digo]

Video Cameras:
From last years rules I know you can put ANYTHING on your robot since it is not functional, I mean, if it won't help you with the game, like sound speakers or decorative things of any material. So you may put a camera on it, but the driver may not see the image, because that would help him to drive and then the camera and the receiver would have to be "legal" components to be functional things.

Originally posted by Accie470
I think FIRST intentionally made it so you couldn't see your robot at the begining of the game to make it more interesting and more of a challenge. (...)

I agree. I think the visual barrier is one of the big features of this year's game.

[Andy Grady]

All I gotta say, is if after 15 seconds no one has knocked down the wall, things are gonna be very fun to watch in that match!

Have I mentioned that I love this game?

Good Luck All,
Andy Grady

[1337 /\/\4573|2]

I would say that the reason for the autonomous 15 seonds is that you wont be able to see your robot. So an easy solution is to make your robot get into a visible area in that time period.

[DanL]

Originally posted by Accie470
I think FIRST intentionally made it so you couldn't see your robot at the begining of the game to make it more interesting and more of a challenge. using a camera would still be a bit of a challenge to the driver but kinda defeats the purpose.

Yeah, in the design-the-game thread, I do believe there was a small conversation about having the auto mode behind a visual barrier. If my memory serves me right, we were talking about perhaps going into some kind of tunnel-thing in which the robot would switch into auto. This is almost like that.

[D. Gregory]

Is there a rule against have a stool in the driver's booth? Also, can Yao Ming please contact the Unionville H.S. Wolfpack re: spotter.

[Gadget470]

Originally posted by D. Gregory
Is there a rule against have a stool in the driver's booth? Also, can Yao Ming please contact the Unionville H.S. Wolfpack re: spotter.

GM6 Special clothing and/or equipment will only be allowed on the playing field for those who demonstrate a need based on a physical disability.

[MacZealot]

I suppose this is why autonomous mode is the basis of winning/loosing the match.

You could get your teammates to hold up a huge mirror lol.

*shrug* really, just have the bot go all the way out to the edge of the field, turn around, face straight at the ramp, go full speed, and knock that stack of boxes down mercilessly.



Bot @ full speed colliding against boxes? sounds good.. you wouldn't have to worry about hitting the other bot as the air you'd gain would probably allow you to go waaaaaaaaay over.

Unfortunately, my team doesn't like this, they want to follow the line diligently *sarcastic*

I can't wait to see the disaster. 4 bots following the line, in the begining the alliances crash against each other because the lines are too near, and then there's ramp collisions.

Interesting!

[Noah]

This is going to be soooo much fun... ::tears:: I'm so happy I'm crying!

[Bill Beatty]

Two early observations.

1. How well the driver in the inside position can see through the wall. The outside driver cannot see a thing.

2. When a bulldozer type robot pushes a bin on it's side bottom first on the ramp. Wow! What a racket! The edge of the lid grabs the mesh and jumps along it. It is going to be very tough on the bins.

[AlphaOmega870]

what about your human players off to the side, cant they relay the info by yelling to the drivers?