Part I of the new season’s Game Manual is now released. Let the games begin… http://goo.gl/bUlud.
Interesting. FIRST seems to be moving further in the direction of establishing FTC as a mini-FRC suitable for training younger students who will eventually join FRC teams, rather than as a direct competitor to VEX as a low-cost alternative program.
Do you make that assertion based upon the allowable list of materials? That list was expanded in previous seasons and hasn’t changed from last year to this.{I stand corrected in that it added a few new items, springs…}
IMHO - it is more of allowing FTC teams some creative design flexibility in lue of restrictions to a single company’s product line.
APS
Actually, the allowed materials did expand. I am excited about some of the new things that will be available to use this year - a few good changes were made.
Did anyone notice that wheels are now not considered COTS. This could be very interesting.
Teams should also be excited to see what Tetrix and Matrix are adding to their systems. I hope to see a release of new items from both companies later this summer. I’m counting on CD to post a link once these companies make their new products announcements.
Are you talking about the stuff they had on display at the Championship?
I see that parts.ftcrobots.com is finally back up and running. The only new things I see are the fat tires.
The site says that the 30% discount applies “through the end of 2013.” I wonder if they’re eliminating that discount?
I’m pretty excited we can use any gear or sprocket now, that opens up a whole world of stuff!
Exactly! Last year it was legal to have somebody make a gear or sprocket using wire EDM or water jet or something, but you couldn’t buy one off the shelf. That was somewhat nonsensical, so I think this was the right move.