My hints and guess on the Game in 2004!

[Matt Krass]

We're gonna need some Asimo clones then......

[Rich Wong]

Originally posted by Matt Krass
We're gonna need some Asimo clones then......

Asimo.... that would make an interesting game elements!

Imagine... FIRST robots vs. Asimos (Asimoes?).... no contest.

FIRST will be first.

[Michael R. Lee]

Well if we're facing ASIMO clones.... definitely need a better traction.... <trys to start drawing FLUFFY's drive train and chassis > and a scooper to knock em on their backs for a second..... wait not gracious professionalism. AAWww shucks... maybe its the puck from 99 and ASIMO.... and bowling pins to add into the fun!

Well you can count on this.... autonomous period of some sort and 2 v. 2.

[Aignam]

My vote still goes for a water hazard..

Gawd I love argument for argument's sake.

[Michael R. Lee]

Originally posted by Aignam
My vote still goes for a water hazard

Maybe then the weight limit will go up too

[Jeff_Rice]

How about a different size/shape limit? It would be interesting, especially if there was an area in the middle, such as a circle, that you could not put anything in. The dimension check box would have a corresponding hole cut in it, and a cylinder could slide through it to see if the bot was within specs.

Another idea is to go with a circular exterior limit or maybe something weird like an isosceles triangle. Or maybe even a 345 or scalene triangle, or a pentagon or ...................

They could also make people consider building unique bots by making something the game reward unusual shapes, ie a half circle bot might be able to get something like KOTH points by maneuvering into a scoring area not big enough for a conventional full size limit boxbot

I just attempted to do an ASCII drawing to demonstrate my above point. I just discovered I don't have the patience for ASCII art.

I would love to see changes like these.

[BandChick]

Originally posted by Aignam
My vote still goes for a water hazard..

Gawd I love argument for argument's sake.

a) did you just say "GAWD" !?

Originally posted by Jeff_Rice
The dimension check box would have a corresponding hole cut in it, and a cylinder could slide through it to see if the bot was within specs.

b) wouldn't you then run the risk of damaging said robot?

[Michael R. Lee]

No you're all wrong! We're going to have to put rectangular prisms into circluar holes to score in the goals! And of course the goals are above the water hazard.


And yeah that would damage the bot....

[Elgin Clock]

I have something else to add to my prediction!!

I believe that the autonomous mode in this year's game will take place at the END of the match!!

Just another thing I picked up on in a certain e-mail blast from FIRST.

[Sachiel7]

Yeah, that's something I was thinking they might do too.
The game must be set up so that this would be useful though.

[BandChick]

i think we discussed this last year as well, if autonomous is at the END, it will be really hard to orient your bot to be successful with your code, and what would be the purpose of just having 4 robots on the field going crazy because they weren't in the right zone to complete their autonomous?

[Sachiel7]

That was my concern the first time I heard the idea, but then someone noted that you could position your robot wherever you wanted it to start right before auto clicks on. I still think this may have some major problems, but FIRST may just try it...

[SarahB]

Originally posted by BandChick
i think we discussed this last year as well, if autonomous is at the END, it will be really hard to orient your bot to be successful with your code

I think FIRST might actually like that idea. With no good, accurate way to align your bot correctly, there's less of a reliance on dead reckoning. It would really emphasize the use of sensors for autonomous.

[Aignam]

Originally Posted by SarahB

I think FIRST might actually like that idea. With no good, accurate way to align your bot correctly, there's less of a reliance on dead reckoning. It would really emphasize the use of sensors for autonomous.

You'd see a whole lot of teams with a dead reckoning code set to go straight forward for xx amount of seconds. Position yourself directly in front of your opponent...Need I say more? It's the easy, effective solution. It works. People will exploit that to no end, and perhaps justly so.

[E. The Kidd]

ok I've read the entire thread (trying to stay away from my English 101 paper), here's my guess:

If drums are used I think they'll be stationary they will be stationary. Why? if you navigate through stationary bins not only do they act as a visual limitation but they force teams to get really creative with their autonomous programming