05-03-2007 02:22

Karthik

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

Introducing Team 1114's 2007 robot, Simbot Prime. We've abandoned treads, and gone back to the 6 wheel, with an improved version of our 2005 drive. This is by far the best drivetrain we've ever had. We're set to make our debut this weekend at the Great Lakes Regional.

And yes, we're the only team with this robot. No twins, triplets, quadruplets, or quintuplets this year.

It's Primetime...

05-03-2007 03:23

Travis Hoffman

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

Why Karthik, what ever does it do????

05-03-2007 03:26

Karthik

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

Lots of things.

Seriously, it's more fun to let people try and figure it out.

05-03-2007 06:01

Tim Arnold

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

There appears to be a large spring cocked attached to the arm on the left side. Would that be considered stored energy?

Interesting robot...

05-03-2007 10:53

Jonathan Norris

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

Finally!! I've been waiting for this one

This is what I see:
- sick 6-wheel set up
- the manipulator is that small piece of tread at the front, with a little red hook powered by a window motor.
- then I think the manipulator probably has another degree of movement.
- elevator system that can probably reach all three levels.
- then a ramp on the back, I can't really tell if it can hold one or two bots. But knowing 1114 I wouldn't be surprised if it held two.

Looks great guys ! See ya in Waterloo.

05-03-2007 11:43

d.courtney

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

Interesting. To be honest I am suprised that you have a ramp, I just assumed you'd put all your effort into an amazing arm/drivetrain and climb others... but then again when you can do all three, well why not? I am very interested as to how that manipulator works. Good Luck at GLR.

05-03-2007 11:44

Pat Fairbank

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

I got to drive this robot (well, not the one pictured; the practice robot) around for a few minutes yesterday, and I wholeheartedly agree. The drivetrain is sweeeeet.

Good luck, and we'll be seeing you at GLR!

05-03-2007 12:00

Rich Ross

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

Here's a shot in the dark:

The platform/ramp system works like this. During the end game, if 1114 is the "climbee" for the match, they open their stuff. This "stuff" includes a large ramp which includes the chassis of their robot. once two robots are up onto the apropriate part of said "stuff" they lift the front of the robot 13" (just to be safe, so that the ramp (angled like --> ) will end up as a platform ( angled like --> -- .

Am i right?

Karthik, your robot is cool, but what with the wiring???? Just kidding, im glad to see it now before im on the other side of the field from it.

Best of luck.

05-03-2007 12:29

Jay Trzaskos

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

I love this robot, and from what I can tell, and from what I've heard it's manipulator is amazing. But my Question is this. Whos coaching this beast? Karthik, are you still taking on strategy and such on the sidelines, or are you going to jump back in the box? I just know that I can't wait to see video of this beast in action.

05-03-2007 13:44

Arefin Bari

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

hmm... no comment. =)

No maybe I have one comment. Get ready to drop your jaw when you see Prime in action in person.

05-03-2007 13:53

Vince lau

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

I think its going to transform like optimus prime. well from the looks of it the ramp part once it deployed it will self expand via the use of the surgical tubing. I would guess that the arm can rotate 90 degrees so that it is parallel to the ground and that piece that looks like a "H" will follow it down to protect it, thats why it has two legs in the middle which look to be like 12" + long. In the picture I think the "H" is missing the platform for the first robot to drive on. The second robot will be stop above the drive train and is raised by a pneumatic cylinder.

05-03-2007 14:03

Travis Hoffman

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

Optimus Prime would have kicked this thing's butt!

05-03-2007 14:58

AdamHeard

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

Could we get any more info on the drivetrain? closeup pics?

05-03-2007 14:59

Shayna

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

I cannot wait to see you guys at GLR. Your robot looks great.

6 wheel drive trains rock!

05-03-2007 15:10

Cory

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

There was a thread during the offseason showing their prototype 6wd chassis. I believe it's very similar to this, with some modifications (direct drive on the center wheel, etc).

05-03-2007 15:25

Stephen Kowski

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

hmm.....i think I am starting to put this together

05-03-2007 15:32

Lil' Lavery

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

...but where is the flag holder?

05-03-2007 16:06

Kate00

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

That was what I was wondering.

05-03-2007 16:55

Ian Mackenzie

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

Good catch, but it is there, just hidden. And yes, it does stay (approximately) vertical THROUGHOUT the match...I'll let you figure out how that works (it's non-trivial, and took way more work than it should have).

05-03-2007 17:08

BRosser314

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

I bet you have it spring loaded so tat its kept up at all times and when you flaps go done the tension releases it to aim straigt up.

05-03-2007 17:10

Bharat Nain

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

Is this used to scoop pop corn from the popcorn machine?

Yet again, nice job. Another impressive robot.

05-03-2007 17:14

Arefin Bari

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

When you see how the flag holder works and where they placed it, you will be

05-03-2007 17:27

AdamHeard

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

Is it mounted on a pivot on top of your manipulator with a weighted bottom so it stays near vertical by balancing?

05-03-2007 20:32

Derek Bessette

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

I will be coaching again this year. I can't wait, this game is going to be a fun one to coach!

So far Vince is the closest. We'll see if Simbot Prime works the way it's supposed this weekend (AKA Primetime)

06-03-2007 00:30

Karthik

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

This is a massive understatement. Too many man hours went into that ridiculous flag holder. As much angst as I developed for the darn thing, I must say, it's pretty cool.

Nope, I won't be coaching this year. When you have a coach who's won 4 of the 5 regionals he's coached in (Derek Bessette), you don't make a change. Now, if we could only get Derek to stay awake in the box.

06-03-2007 00:41

Jay Trzaskos

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

I know Derek is a great coach, but I'm starting to think that this is the real reason 1114 doesn't want Karthik coaching, I mean, his singing is bad enough!

In all seriousness, from what I have seen, this is going to be one real competitive and successful robot. I wish you all the best, and Karthik, I expect updates through out the weekend.

06-03-2007 02:05

Sagar Vyas

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

I've seen this bot (the practice bot), all I can say is best drive train yet. Can't wait to see it in action at GLR, it truly will be 'Primetime'

06-03-2007 06:38

Don Wright

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

Hopefully the "Random" seeding matches will have us together for all the matches...

Looks great!

06-03-2007 09:13

Jack Jones

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

No such luck Don! Not if my predictions hold up.
But I do see one heck of a rivalry developing between 469 & 453

http://www.grovesrobotics.org/GLRmatchlist.xls

06-03-2007 10:25

Courtneyb1023

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

How did you come up with your predictions?

06-03-2007 10:35

BRosser314

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

I believe he used past data from previous regionals last week and correlated with the teams that were going to be at GLR, and I guess the glitch that everyone is aware of is actually connsistent so you can estimate what teams you would be with or against.

06-03-2007 12:15

groves

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

lol! I love it! If they don't change it. That list should be right.

06-03-2007 12:39

Rich Ross

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

As thrilling as this match schedule postulate is, this thread is about 1114.

two days until Primetime.(so you call it) Maybe Primetime and Showstopper (my team's bot, unofficially named showstopper)will end up on the same side of the field. Karthik, expect a visit from myself and Karthik

06-03-2007 13:58

Mark Garver

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

Any chance of getting a pushing match going between us again this year? If not at Great Lakes perhaps Waterloo? After being a ref in St. Louis and having to rotate the spider legs, I would dare say that we have enough power to at least push it around a bit... See you guys Wednesday night/Thursday morning!

06-03-2007 16:38

shamuwong

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

As a designer and fabricator of a somewhat complicated flag holder (compared to last year's zip tied one), I'm intrigued to see what your robot is bringing to the table.

flag holders + self-righting mechanisms = crazy delicious.

06-03-2007 16:47

Vince lau

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

maybe they attched the flag holder to a gyro or a motor so it stays vertical. you never know what ideas 1114 comes up with

06-03-2007 16:58

BRosser314

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

too much weight just for the flag holder, think something smaller mostlikely

06-03-2007 17:02

Starke

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

If the flag holder is mounted on a pivot point, they could just add weight to the bottom of the holder always stays vertical. That is the easiest I can think of.

06-03-2007 17:14

Rich Ross

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

its sad, really, that Karthik mentioning a complex flag holder gets this many people curious. Maybe we should be focusing on our scouting, strategy, imagery, and other team aspects instead of guessing how their flag holder works. If people are really that concerned, i will take a picture of it on Thursday. Maybe I'll even make a thread called 1114's Flag holder: It's Primetime! I'm sure that it's a nifty holder, but its still a flag holder.

06-03-2007 17:26

Ian Mackenzie

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

Thanks, Rich - you're absolutely right. I was sort of thinking that discussion was getting out of hand. Karthik's much too easily impressed by a few colourful elastics

06-03-2007 18:07

d.courtney

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

why would anyone do that, a servo is much lighter and easier to program

there are 101 ways to place a flag to stay legal, but in all seriousness that doesn't matter.
what matters as far as 1114 are:
a) their drivetrain-as this year is primarily defensive if we are to take anything away from week one
b) their manipulator- as 1114 always plays the game in its entirety, not just the endgame, week 1 taught us that its hard to score on the rack and I am hoping someone can put an end to this difficulty, even if just for the games excitement.
c) their ramp- week 1 also taught us that most robots can't climb other ramps, and I feel this is one place 1114 has something up their sleeves...
d)their strategy- (although don't expect you'll hear too much from them on this one-except the underlying strategy to win graciously)

David

06-03-2007 18:23

Lil' Lavery

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

a) When the upper caliber placer teams enter the game (as 1114 will likely be), the game suddenly changes a whole lot...
b) same as a)
c) really? I didn't watch footage from other regionals, but when robots took about 5-10 seconds to aim and line up, they were typically fine. It was often even faster if the ramps didn't have gaping holes in the middle
d) It's Derek and Karthik...... need we say more?

06-03-2007 19:09

d.courtney

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

well I watched the webcasts for quite awhile, and the number of failed attempts at getting onto a ramp far surpassed that of teams getting on.

... all your other points I agree with, which is why I said we should be more concerned about them then such a small thing such as the flag holder

06-03-2007 23:34

Holtzman

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

Mark, Are you crazy? We wouldn't stand a chance. Nobody Pushes Truck Town! NOBODY!!!

07-03-2007 09:27

Alex Cormier

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

so, when are we going to see a video of this beast in action?


hmm, i see a connection with this photo.

07-03-2007 09:33

KTorak

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

However, Update #16 indicated that FIRST is changing the seeding algorithm to fix the issue that ocurred.

07-03-2007 13:41

Travis Hoffman

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

Muahahahahahaha......

07-03-2007 14:13

Mark Garver

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

Well not crazy, just wanting to test out the new articulating 6 wheel drive frame. I was messing with the practice one last night for a bit and it was pushing Denny (~260lbs) around with no problem. I would like to put it up against FRC 25 some time this season though to see what kind of off season improvements might be needed... See you guys possibly tonight, if not, for sure bright and early tomorrow morning.

08-03-2007 09:54

Vince lau

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

can someone post a video of their robot, please, i want to see how this thing works and I can't wait till Waterloo or GTR

thanks

08-03-2007 21:42

d.courtney

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

So how has it been preforming?

08-03-2007 21:53

BlazeGryph

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

=D Simbot Prime!

How I wish I could've gone to GLR...I look forward to reading up on the events at the competition. Next best thing to being there, right?...

29-07-2007 19:03

Karthik

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

I'm big on tying up loose ends. So, this is a little bit overdue, but here's early footage of how Team 1114's ramp worked this year. There were a few improvements made through out the season, but you'll get the basic idea.

Yup, you can see the flag holder in all it's glory...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=7U2aYuUeUyQ

Enjoy.

29-07-2007 21:45

Billfred

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

I'm thinking of a sentence.

It starts with Holy.

It ends with Cow.
(and it's followed by "man, I should've watched Curie more")

29-07-2007 21:52

Koko Ed

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

Check it out! A real life transformer!

29-07-2007 22:50

Karthik

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

We named it Simbot Prime for a reason.

29-07-2007 23:19

Dan Petrovic

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

So did one pin release everything?

That's some pretty fancy flagwork, by the way.

30-07-2007 08:49

Ian Mackenzie

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

One thing the video doesn't show is that the ramp also has a winch that lifts it up to horizontal. One robot slides up onto the two 'beach bars' above the arm, and the other climbs the ramp and then gets lifted.

Well, pretty much - one pair of pins at the base of the arm release and allow it fall forward, which pulls down the 'beach bars', which pull out a couple pins at the end of the ramp, and after that everything just sort of springs out. Perhaps more complex than it should have been, but we wanted a very shallow ramp (I think it ended up at 16 degrees) that still went up to 15" or so to allow for overhanging wheels, and to do that the ramp had to be quite long. To get the length while staying in the 4' height class and staying wide enough for a wide-wheelbase robot required some trickery. (Actually, between Championship and IRI we added a couple extra supports that flipped out and supported the upper corners of the ramp - during the regular season a few teams drove off the corner of the ramp and put a nasty bend in it.)

Yes, that took way longer than it should have. It was a classic case of not designing something in from the beggining, figuring it would be a trivial thing to slap on later, and as a result wasting a whole lot of time near the end of build season.

30-07-2007 09:39

Dan Petrovic

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

I have one more question.

Who designed this?!

30-07-2007 12:15

GaryVoshol

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

And, as it turns out, probably unnecessary. I don't know how many bots I saw this season competing with flag holders that didn't stay anywhere close to vertical when it wasn't convenient - and they were allowed to compete that way.

30-07-2007 13:03

AndyB

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

By far the coolest ramp deployment this year (although watching Beatty's was cool too).

It was funny when mentors on our team would be trying to describe how it worked and everyone was confused. I just summed it up with "Swiss Army Knife".

31-07-2007 22:43

Karthik

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

Simbotics designer extraordinaire, Roberto Rotolo. Along with some help from Ian Mackenzie.

31-07-2007 23:12

Joel J

Re: pic: Team 1114 -- Simbot Prime

Who is Roberto Rotolo?

(hoping I didn't just miss something..)