Auton mode next year¿

[Rickertsen2]

What did you think of auton mode do you think we should have it next year¿ why¿

[Jeff_Rice]

Autonomous mode is cool. We should have it every year. It gives us programmers a job that shows our mad skills in a more obvious way.

It is awesome to see the robot move and know you got it up there faster than a human could.

What's with the upside down question marks?

[T967]

mmmmmmmmmmm.....Autonomous mode
very cool but need more stuff to do it with. like how's the robots go at it "accidentally".

[Rickertsen2]

upside down question marks are fun.
I definately like autonomous mode. It gives us programmers and electronics people something to do.

[Vincent Chan]

I love auton mode. Granted we screwed it up a few times, but it added a completely different spin on the game. It was also more fun to watch, and it made life a bit more nerve-wracking for our drivers.

Auton mode also made for interesting control panels and bots. It not only affected the way you planned to attack the game, but it actually played a part in the design features and layout of your bot.

Bottom line: let's keep auton mode.

Besides, if it doesn't come back next year, I'm taking computer programming I for nothing.

[Brant Bowen]

I believe that the auto mode is great. It really does make the game a lot more exciting It also better defines what we do as robotics and makes us apply more skill to what we do. Definantly a keeper.

[Ryan Albright]

I loved auto mode! It had a whole new twist to the game and added a whole new strategy to it. I def think they should have it next year. I think they will have it just they are going to step it up a notch

[Pin Man]

I'm not sure... Cause this year the majority(no offense) is horrible with auto mode... I htink 5 teams at BAE had a some what good auto mode... I think they should have it so we can get better at it...

[narenr]

I'm definitely pro-auton mode for next year. I do have one reservation about it, though. I think that next year the autonomous mode should not be the deciding factor in the match is it seems to be this year. But it certainly adds another dimension to the game.

[DougHogg]

Originally posted by narenr
I'm definitely pro-auton mode for next year. I do have one reservation about it, though. I think that next year the autonomous mode should not be the deciding factor in the match is it seems to be this year. But it certainly adds another dimension to the game.

Good point. I agree. Keep the autonomous mode and make it important, but not quite so vital as it is this year.

Also it would be good to have some sample code for new teams and some workshops on the subject.

I have a feeling that autonomous is going to be with us from here on out. After all, robots in the future will be more and more autonomous, so we might as well learn how to handle them.

[The Lucas]

Auto mode was the best thing that happened to this year's game. FIRST was always giving us more sensors but never giving us good reasons to use them until now. Although it is only 15 sec it can have as much weight in determining the winner as the next 1 min 45 sec. Since it is so important it encourages people to try it, just as more people would stack if KOH was worth 15 per bot.

In a year where most bots operate like "box" bots with very little unique functionality separating bot form bot, an autonomous program can become the bot's identity. Certainly everyone knows of the amazing feats of WildStang and their positional coordinate system. Keep autonomous and the whole of teams will get better at it as the years pass. Plus the Lego League kids already have experience in this area.

[Greg]

Auto mode is good We have a good autonomous program with optical sensors to track wheel rotation and lift arm position. Our auton program was one of the best in the Canadian Regional (Team 48 was very good). Our gearbox screwed up in the end though (sorry Team CRT ... we could have won... d... bevel gears )

[EvanG]

I got to say i am Pro-Auton.

Our auton programming this year was a large source of stress and aggravation. Of course, all aimed at me because im the programmer, and the programmer is always first to take the blame, right fellow programmers? hehe. But in the end, there was just a perfect sense of relief, success, and awe when it was all tweaked and worked right.

There is something amazing when your bot is doing something and no one hands are moving it, but its also amazing when the drivers are driving.

Plus as it has been said, robots in the future all nearly likely to be autonomous and run by some form of AI, and FIRST is dedicated to leading the way into the future.

[Keith Chester]

I am all for autonomous mode, because it presents unique challenges to the game. However, I do NOT believe autonomous mode should be more than 15 seconds ever... otherwise the game might get a little wee bit too hard for anyone to plan for.

[Chris Nowak]

autonomous mode is incredibly cool....it gives people a chance to show off the versatility of their programming skills. I think it really broadens FIRST b/c in years past programming has not been such a big deal(at least on our team) and it gives those people who are in depth programmers a reason to do FIRST.

Next year it would be cool if they made even more sensors and perhaps the ability to create a sort of artificial intelligence for the robot(extremely limited probably). Thats probably not realistic for next year but if sometime in the future they could make robots which could sense where practically anything on the field is and act accordingly. Of course, once it hits this point, programming will probably be equal in importance as engineering. Oh well, I really enjoyed this years game partly because of the autonomous.