Letting robots on top vs getting on top of robots

[sanddrag]

So, how many people will design their robot to be able to get on top of another robot (provided it has a small step or easy ramp or something of the sort). How many people are going to design their robot to accept their partner's wishes to climb on top of them? How high will the robots be in the end?

[GMAdan]

our team is going to let other team get on top. We are designing a deplying ramp system. Also we plan to make sure the robot can with stand at least 250 pounds on it.

[Cody Carey]

Originally Posted by GMAdan

our team is going to let other team get on top. We are designing a deplying ramp system. Also we plan to make sure the robot can with stand at least 250 pounds on it.

We were thinking about that... and one thought popped up: Last year the game field had a ramp on it and a lot of teams couldn't get up.
with this years field being pretty much smooth sailing, will anyone think to design a ramp-climber?

[Bongle]

Originally Posted by Cody C

We were thinking about that... and one thought popped up: Last year the game field had a ramp on it and a lot of teams couldn't get up.
with this years field being pretty much smooth sailing, will anyone think to design a ramp-climber?

It really depends on the ramp. If you have a 4-foot-long deployable ramp, then you're only looking at a 14 degree angle to climb, compared to Aim High's 30 degrees. Even drivetrains not designed specifically for ramps should be able to do that. But really, that'd probably be a feature of a given ramp design. I can see it while trying to get picked for finals "Team xxxx: With a 14 degree ramp that ANYONE can use".

[lukevanoort]

Originally Posted by Cody C

We were thinking about that... and one thought popped up: Last year the game field had a ramp on it and a lot of teams couldn't get up.
with this years field being pretty much smooth sailing, will anyone think to design a ramp-climber?

Remember, part of the problem last year for many teams was traction, they'd sit half on the ramp and spin their wheels. Nothing stops a team from putting carpet or a similar material that provides better traction on their robot's ramps. Angle/ground clearance/high centers of gravity issues on the other hand require a reduced angle, which is a bit harder to accomplish.

[Tetraman]

Handstand...period

[MrForbes]

maglev....period

I'm waiting for the Standards Committee to be formed to put out a spec for supporting and supported robots

[Wayne C.]

how about going around and capturing the other alliance's three robots and hoisting them up over 1 ft in your ends zone. Then allow your partners to also climb up....

you get points for robots over 12 inches- they lose penalty points for not vacating the end zone....



he he

[raymaniac]

Originally Posted by Wayne C.

how about going around and capturing the other alliance's three robots and hoisting them up over 1 ft in your ends zone. Then allow your partners to also climb up....

you get points for robots over 12 inches- they lose penalty points for not vacating the end zone....



he he

Would that actually work?!?

[Imajie]

Actually they wouldn't be penalized. The rules state that if a robot is blocked while trying to exit the home zone during the end game they won't be penalized.

<G24> Clearing HOME ZONE – the first audio signal, sounded five seconds before the start of the
END GAME, serves as a warning for ROBOTS to exit from the opposing HOME ZONE.
ROBOTS attempting to exit from the HOME ZONE after the audio signal may not be blocked
or impeded in this attempt.
<G25> END GAME play – ROBOTS may not occupy the opponents HOME ZONE during the END
GAME. Any ROBOT in an opponent’s HOME ZONE at the start of the END GAME will be
assessed a 10-point penalty. A second 10-point penalty will be assessed if the ROBOT is
still in the HOME ZONE 5 seconds after the start of the END GAME. Another 10-point
penalty will be assessed if the ROBOT remains in the HOME ZONE 10 seconds after the
start of the END GAME. However, a ROBOT that has been blocked or otherwise prevented
from exiting the HOME ZONE (as described in Rule <G24>) will not be assessed any
penalty.

[Eric W. Jones]

Originally Posted by Wayne C.

how about going around and capturing the other alliance's three robots and hoisting them up over 1 ft in your ends zone. Then allow your partners to also climb up....

you get points for robots over 12 inches- they lose penalty points for not vacating the end zone....



he he

Originally Posted by raymaniac

Would that actually work?!?

It would not. it says in the handbook that if a robot is kept from leaving the opposing home zone, they are not assessed the ten-point penalty. Whether they would give the opposing team a bonus... :shrugs:

[Branden Ghena]

We want our robot to allow another robot on top, and to still have enough power to get ourselves, with them on top of us, on top of another robot.

[BrianR]

I've noticed that the majority of robots are planning for others to go on top of them. If you are paired with another ramp-bot, will you be able to climb them if necessary, or will you both end up on the ground?

How funny would that be, 3 ramps that could climb each other!

[nuggetsyl]

I think everyone here needs to think about the tast at hand. Think about last years game and how big the ramp was. now think about about how big your robot is, a team who carries 2 robots will probally be useful for only that because of weight issues.

[BrianR]

Originally Posted by nuggetsyl

I think everyone here needs to think about the tast at hand. Think about last years game and how big the ramp was. now think about about how big you robot is a team who carries 2 robots will probally be useful for only that because of weight issues.

I agree with this, the ramp teams are likely to only be able to be defense and a ramp. I guess that is a valid option, but my only sticking point is that the maximum number of teams that should have 2 robots on top is 1/3 of the teams. Any more than that and it is a waste and will result in very lopsided matches. I think that I would be more than happy to face an alliance with two ramp teams and one moderate scoring team.