Extra ramp and platform outside the field at each event to test and practice?

[Digo]

-> it was difficult to search this, tell me if this was already discussed <-


In the past years the only surface was carpet, so teams could test their drive systems in the pit. This year there are three surfaces, and the programming for the autonomous mode requires a lot of testing. If you need to change the program during the competition for some reason, you can't just type it and upload to the bot. You have to TEST. Maybe with the white tape on the floor too.

Last year there was an extra goal for you to test, I think, and in 2001 nationals some team brought a ramp and let others try it. This year I think that will be very important but difficult for a team to take it to the competition.

Will FIRST provide us a set of ramp, platform and white tape (or a part of it) at each event for testing the program and the robot's mechanisms after practicing matches? That would be really good.

[AdamT]

Although this would be very very nice, some regionals don't have enough room for something like this *cough* VCU *cough* Hopefully something like this will be available at nationals, but I think it will be up to individual teams or the co-ordinators of the regionals to organize something like this.

I can imagine a team pulling out a miniture ramp and laying it down in the pits. I can also imagine the flack this would get from surrounding teams!!

P.S. Good to hear from you Digo!! I hope everything is going well for your team!

[Dan 550]

There's extra space at a regional? Wow, what a concept. I wish the J&J (NJ) had extra space for a ramp. I'd build it, but I know it would be in a truck the whole time. The J&J barely has pit space to walk in...

[illumanat'i]

you could always walk outside and set up a mini field on the road, i mean, really, who needs roads when you've got the bots?

last year i noticed a lot of wasted grass space.... and all of that sidewalk?? who walks around outside when the bots are inside?

if a team can get the field, or maybe a half field, or a mini field, or whatever to the competition, someone will find a place to put it, even if it means taking over some random drive way or something, trust me

[Rich Kressly]

Dan,

J&J is being held in the RAC at Rutgers this year. Much larger place.