pic: 522/Robo Wizards - 2008 Robot (3)

[ChrisR_522]

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[CuriousGeorge]

treads? why treads? and how well does she turn with treads? how fast?

and how does that arm work?

why the british flag on the wall in the back? lol

also can she hurdle/place?

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by CuriousGeorge

treads? why treads? and how well does she turn with treads? how fast?

I'm not affiliated with 522, but I do know they have a long history with treads. Sometimes, experience just factors into the equation.

[CuriousGeorge]

Originally Posted by Billfred

I'm not affiliated with 522, but I do know they have a long history with treads. Sometimes, experience just factors into the equation.

oh dear! i remember them using treads in 06' but then again.. i never seen any of their other robots. lol

well looks like they have treads tied down huh? lol

[jax1488]

lol.. we dont use treads..

we use timing belts =D and we love them hehe

[alex1699]

how does every have the same basic idea for an arm like thing with the wheels on top???!!!?!?!

[EricH]

Originally Posted by alex1699

how does every have the same basic idea for an arm like thing with the wheels on top???!!!?!?!

The answer is simple: one team *cough121cough* posted their prototype early on and everyone else copied it.

[CuriousGeorge]

Originally Posted by EricH

The answer is simple: one team *cough121cough* posted their prototype early on and everyone else copied it.

thats kind of a serious claim saying that.. :-\

[Jonathan Norris]

Originally Posted by CuriousGeorge

thats kind of a serious claim saying that.. :-\

I think its a true statement that a lot of teams designs were influenced by the teams that posted their designs early this year. I don't think there is anything wrong with that, hopefully it means there are more teams this year that can play the game effectively.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Jonathan Norris

I think its a true statement that a lot of teams designs were influenced by the teams that posted their designs early this year. I don't think there is anything wrong with that, hopefully it means there are more teams this year that can play the game effectively.

And, this time, it's backed up. I think there are about half a dozen or more teams who have posted their robot here with the same design. Not exact, mind you, but the concept is the same. And, as you said, hopefully that means more effective teams, which hopefully leads to more exciting matches.

[CuriousGeorge]

you dont think that it just may be coincidence that some teams may have thought some way to grab the ball?

[EricH]

Originally Posted by CuriousGeorge

you dont think that it just may be coincidence that some teams may have thought some way to grab the ball?

It could be. But this many teams? I doubt it. If it were one or two plus the original, coincidence could be a good explanation. But this is a lot more than that.

I do know of a coincidence in grabber similarity, but only one or two people have caught it so far (counting me). Same general design, different teams, independent designing. And it's only for two teams, neither of which has really released its design yet (certainly not here).

[Rick-906]

i actually had the idea of using the same wheel-on-top system about five minutes after watching the video. I don't think its fair to say teams have copied, because anyone who has been a part of first for the last few years knows how useful rollers are for gripping round surfaces [poofs, tubes, trackballs].

thats not to say we'll be using one however.

[Akash Rastogi]

Originally Posted by EricH

And, this time, it's backed up. I think there are about half a dozen or more teams who have posted their robot here with the same design. Not exact, mind you, but the concept is the same. And, as you said, hopefully that means more effective teams, which hopefully leads to more exciting matches.

That, and also the fact that this year's game(I personally think) was made in a way that could only be solved in a few ways which just seemed like the best choices. For example, MOE's (365's) robot looks similar to ours and ours isnt based off of 121 at all. The designs used were just plain and simple and logical.

EDIT: btw, love the robot

[GaryVoshol]

Originally Posted by EricH

It could be. But this many teams? I doubt it. If it were one or two plus the original, coincidence could be a good explanation. But this is a lot more than that.

I don't disagree with you often Eric, but this is one time. Saying that having a wheel to move the ball into your grasp was heavily influenced by 121 is like saying that anyone that has two forks on their lifter was heavily influenced by XXX, or that anyone using an elevator was influenced by seeing team YYY - pick your teams.

Once a team decides to use a lifter technique as opposed to shooter, there are only a few options:
Size and shape of the forks
Laterally moving or stable-width forks
Lift distance
Method of ball release
Whether or not to use an upper arm to hold the ball in

If you decide to use the upper grabber assist, you now have a few more choices, but again only a few:
Hinged clamp-type grabber
Belts
Roller of some kind - wheel or tube

The fact is that this year the size and weight of the ball is what has heavily influenced robot design constraints. I am so far pleasantly surprised to have seen such a wide variety of robots, and surprised again at the number of shooters (my guess was about 5% of teams). I suspect we will continue to see a few unique applications, but that the majority of teams will come up with solutions that are quite similar. The differences we will see will mostly be on how the similar-looking devices are actuated - pneumatics, motor choices, etc.