Most unique robots/mechanisms

FIRST General Forum
#30

Darn Kevin, you beat me to it. :slight_smile: 469’s entire system that year was truly amazing. Despite much of the attention going to the flashy 33 machine (which I love as well), 469 was a work-horse cycler, full-court shooter, and of course used the mechanism in question, the magical disc collector/sorter/conveyor/indexer.

2016: 1114 and 148 used the same awesome climber principle that was optimized for a fast climb (esp. 1114) and tiny size, for a pair of low bar robots.

Another 2016: Throughout FIRST history, single flywheels have been some of the most effective and common mechanisms, with two wheel shooters rarely seeing widespread use. However, in my opinion, 1690 built one of the most effective dual-wheel shooters ever. Its elegant design earned the team a trip to Einstein finals.

2014: I must say, the hat was pretty unique.

#31

Darn Kevin, you beat me to it. :slight_smile: 469’s entire system that year was truly amazing. Despite much of the attention going to the flashy 33 machine (which I love as well), 469 was a work-horse cycler, full-court shooter, and of course used the mechanism in question, the insane disc collector/sorter/conveyor/indexer.

2016: 1114 and 148 used the same awesome climber principle that was optimized for a fast climb (esp. 1114) and tiny size, for a pair of low bar robots.

Another 2016: Throughout FIRST history, single flywheels have been some of the most effective and common mechanisms, with two wheel shooters rarely seeing widespread use. However, in my opinion, 1690 built one of the most effective dual-wheel shooters ever. Its elegant design earned the team a trip to Einstein finals.

2014: I must say, the hat was pretty unique.

#32

I’m not 100% sure what you’re asking about with the first question, the robot could intake and fire upside-down frisbees but they would almost certainty miss.

For the human player feeder, there was a lexan ramp that extended out to the slot. Frisbees would just slide down the ramp, then a conveyor with a funnel would bring them up to the bucket we used for our hopper:

#33

To hop on the 2013 train, I am surprised that no one has mentioned 987 from that year. That robot was sweet in every way.

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#34

From this year, how about 1640’s CVT Swerve Modules?

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipO_clsXawGDQPnwsGOesTVmVwD2d9Jg_Qkc4xCVxLC9mbga1ZPstahlpCjx0L7rAA/photo/AF1QipPKsvuvZJDXDr1QCJkcKqcDgzLDl5-90KjVR12k?key=TDlVcExrX2VTR0s4Z0w4cUFnTFpTd2lIUlA5eV9B

#35

I seem to recall that frisbees would sometimes pop out the top after being intaked and being told that the robot was designed so that upside-down discs would just pop out the top.

Regardless, the whole system was just crazy impressive in how well-refined each mechanism was.

#36

Idk man,

this robot is still pure Black Magic.

#37

FRC148-2013 Climber. While there were several unique climbing solutions that year, few were as terrifying to watch and uniquely executed as 148 that year. The giant sector gear was a really cool way of getting tremendous ratio and getting the right motion profile.

#38

By the definition of unique, 1710 in 2014 qualifies.

Did it work?

Nope not really. But it was scary. And very tall.

This is one match where it did work in auto. We just had the throttle on the joystick associate with how far across the defense zone to drive. It was all approximation.

#39

340s climber in 2013 was pretty bad $@#$@#$@#.

#40

https://i.imgur.com/v1Pu8Chh.jpg

5818 from 2017 might not be the most dominating robot, but has some of the coolest concepts in it. It has a floor gear pick up, a turret for the gear mechanism, and a extender arm to put the gear on the peg. They also managed to do a 2 gear auto a few times.

#41

Seconded, I was actually about to pitch them into the mix!

340’s 2012 and 2013 robot’s are both of note here! In 2012 they were one of the most notable “dumper” bots, only being able to make 2-point shots but being extremely consistent at it, as well as being optimized for easy balancing! Their 2013 sliding drive-base/climber tower was also a thrill to see!

148 in 2008 was a shocker. While 148 is typically known for their elegant design solutions, this little guy was solving different problems from other teams. Rather than worry about manipulate the trackballs that year, they were solely a lap runner, but dang. Their tiny 6-motor, 3-wheel swerve was a powerhouse that became the ultimate defender on Einstein.

Additionally, 1114 in 2008 was the big claw, power-punch design that inspired numerous teams in 2014.

Although many robots attempted the archetype, no one was better at ball-redirection that 469 in 2010. Using a lock in place mechanism and a 2-path adjustable ramp, they were a dangerous addition to any team as they just continued to recycle balls and score goals.

1503 in 2011 was very unique in the same vein as 340 in 2012; in a year where nearly every robot could pick a tube up off the floor, they did not. And coupling a slick, simple robot with excellent driving, they did not suffer one bit for it, going on to champion the Newton division.

1503 in 2013 was also unique. While most teams used wheels to launch their frisbees, 1503 used a slingshot to launch their 4 frisbees.

2015 bred a few of the 2-robot teams, most famously Batman and Robin (and Alfred) from 148, and Roy G. Biv from 4039.

#42

I think someone already mentioned this, but I wanted to add this video of 842s 2013 climber. No other mechanism I’ve seen has made my jaw hit the ground as fast; an extremely simple solution to a very hard problem: https://youtu.be/WxUUTfg4ay8

#43

Team 842 consistently comes up with unique and effective solutions almost every year. They have a great team.

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#44

Agreed.

2017: Their dual turret system was both effective and compact. it integrated well into the rest of the robot. One of my favorite robots as a whole package.

2016: Harpoon scaler, rocker-bogie drivetrain, pneumatic catapult. Was deadly effective at Las Vegas. I believe their catapult also used the pulse timing code they had in 2014 to vary shot power.

2015: Tape measure can grabbers!

2014: Neat sensor work to acquire the ball + pulse timing to vary shot.

#45

The best is if you compare 1503 2007 vs. 1503 2011. both unique, but for very opposite reasons…
Which was most successful…:yikes:

#46

I’m about to make Ed’s day:

[IMG2]http://i.imgur.com/dvR0OIt.jpg[/IMG2]

#47

Very interesting, I wonder what their thought process was when designing this beauty.

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#48

Well, I will share some of the design goals - as I understand them. I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m not fully accurate…:ahh:

The overall architecture was aimed at the initial goal of performing a 3 (yes, three) gear auto. The full width collector opposite the gear delivery meant no need to spin 180 at each direction reversal in auto, or perfectly align with a floor gear. Once a gear is acquired, the collector arm rotates up 90 degrees and spits the gear into the delivery turret, centering the gear in the process.

The gear turret was designed for fast and secure automatic delivery. It has a 2 stage mechanism with “smart-place”. The first 8" stage extends the gear holder forward. If the peg tip hangs up on a spoke, the stage retracts, the turret rotates slightly, then attempts again. Once successful, the second 8" stage plunger automatically pushes the gear out of the holder, fully and securely to the back of the peg.

All the elements (robot drive w/2x vision, gear pick-up, transfer, and delivery) were originally tuned to try 3 gears in less than 15 seconds, but it was “a bit much” so the team then focused on a solid 2 gear auto. Our competition routines were able to place 2 in as little as 9 seconds (with clean 1-shot gear deliveries and a clean 2nd gear pickup). We were one of only four teams to achieve this feat in competition, two of which made it to Einstein.

A Fast Gearbot with great defense capability: At a full 120# with counterweights, a super low CG and 2-speed, 6 CIM, 6WD w/ Roughtop drivetrain, we played some pretty memorable defense and didn’t lose many (if any) pushing matches in competition.

I am very proud of the unique design decisions the team made and how well they were implemented. The team collected two Excellence in Engineering Awards, and made it to the Hopper semi-finals. And this is a 2nd year team working out of a shared elementary school classroom - not much of an upgrade from the barn they worked in last year…

Oh yeah - 5818 WILL be attending both Chezy Champs and Beach Blitz in the fall. So come say “Hi” if you are there!

And last but not least - here is our season “highlights” video for your enjoyment: https://youtu.be/cWhEa1CIQJY

#49

Thanks for the insight, love the robot! I will try to catch you at Chezy Champs. My team isn’t there but I live in the area. It not a given that I can make it but when I am there I will be wearing a bright orange team 100 t-shirt.

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