Hi all,
The Everybot team wanted to express our excitement for this upcoming season with answers to a few frequently asked questions in relation to the Kitbot. We will still be creating an Everybot with the mindset that an increase in variety of resources for teams benefits the entirety of the community.
Q: How will Everybot Change now that Kitbot exists?
Since 118 and the Everybot crew have not seen the game (or the Kitbot) we are unable to say how much of the Kitbot we will reuse or repurpose, but we are 99.9% sure we will be using the same Kit of Parts chassis frame size as the Kitbot. We plan to use as many of the parts that come in the kit as possible while keeping the $1500 budget for additional parts. Our current plan is to assemble the Kitbot as quickly as possible to assess how Everybot can enhance the Kitbot to provide additional functionality, robustness, and reliability.
Teams will be getting the black tote providing all of the FRC specific components for the Kitbot. They will then need to purchase raw materials and fasteners from the shopping list. Most of the materials and fasteners are generic and will likely get used on an Everybot, but since they are readily available it will probably be okay to wait until after the Everybot BOM comes out to purchase them.
Q: What is 118’s relation to the Kitbot?
We have been firm with FIRST not to know information about the game early. As a competitor, our main objective and mindset is to be competitive. This forces the build to reflect that. With learning the game early, there is more time to conceptualize design which may result in a more complicated design. Although, there is an argument to be made for having more time to reflect on the proper strategy of the game. Every year we are able to take lessons learned on how to make Everybot a more effective alliance partner while maintaining its affordable status and elegant nature.
Our ultimate goal is to provide more resources to the community. As FIRST Robotics Competition Senior Program Director Collin Fultz stated in his Expanding the Kit of Parts blog post, “One of the most requested additions to the Kit of Parts, from both Partners and teams, is the Everybot.”
We believe that while Everybot has been a small step for programmatic accessibility, the Kitbot is a giant leap to achieving that goal. FIRST has our full blessing with the Kitbot. We know how much effort FIRST has put into it and look forward to seeing the Kitbot in action.
Q: What, if anything, is changing in 2024?
Mission Statement:
The Everybot team has done some heavy reflection on what our purpose is, along with how best to maximize our impact.
Our mission statement reflects our current goals:
“The mission of Everybot is to provide a comprehensive set of build resources to field a competitive and affordable robot intended to play the FIRST Robotics Competition challenge; specifically targeted towards under-resourced and under-mentored teams. A successful Everybot will inspire individual students, teams, and mentors while promoting team sustainability.”
Translation for Documentation:
After reviewing demographics of Everybot resource users, we identified that there are at least 12 different countries using the resource. We are especially looking for partners to help us translate to languages spoken in the following countries - Mexico, France, Turkey, Brazil, Israel, Pakistan, China, India, etc.
E.g., FIRST Canada creates an Everybot BOM specific to Canada which has significantly aided many teams in completing their Everybot build.
If you are interested in assisting with this effort, please send an email to [email protected].
Reducing Sole Supplier Components:
In an effort to eliminate possible barriers for Everybot teams, we will put a strong focus on only using components that are available from multiple sources, as last year a sole-supplier component was discontinued midseason resulting in the inability for many Everybot teams to complete their build effectively.
Q: When will the Everybot be revealed?
As is tradition, we will still be revealing the Everybot on January 16 at 7:00 PM ET via FIRST Canada LIVE.
We are humbled that we get to continue providing this resource to the community. The Robonauts and Everybot Crew look forward to CRESCENDO℠ presented by Haas and wish you all good luck!