In 2009 the GDC threw us a curve ball with the Regolith and rover wheels. With Kickoff is just days away, what do you predict the 2010 curve ball will be? What will be the one change that will shake things up more than any other? The one change that will nullify countless off-season prototypes? The one change that will force everyone to rethink everything?
It can be anything. Let’s see who gets to say I told you so after Kickoff!
My prediction: The good ‘ole CIMs will be a thing of the past and will be replaced with some new motor in some new legal quantity other than 4.
Back in the days between 1999 and 2004, there was some form of structure to climb on every year (save 2002). These structures could easily block midfield, which many of them did, or make staying off of them and staying competitive very tricky. Since 2004, we have not really had that midfield barrier. Sure, we’ve had to go around triangles (2005), go up ramps at the end of the field (2006), and dodge large structures (2007), but none of them have had that same “I’m in your way, climb on/over me” feel that those older ones had.
A number of prototypes that are out there seem to assume a fairly flat floor with primarily carpet covering. But let’s not forget, the GDC has been known to use as many as three different surfaces in one game, notably in 2003’s ramp and 2006’s ramps.
I don’t think the CIMs will entirely disappear. However, let’s see what happens when we can only use the BIG CIM’s from the 2006-2007 era. More weight, less power, and how on earth do you get the pulley and tensioner off this darn motor without breaking it? That’s going to be a sight to see… (And yes, that would be a dirty trick. The only things in the KOP’s those years that weighed more than the big CIM were the compressor and the batteries.)
Well, assuming that we’re gonna be dealing with more space themed objects this year (like the remote control from Overdrive relating to controling space probes or the regolith being like the surface of the moon) I think we’ll either be stuck with less traction/less mobility or we’ll be using an entirely new method of control as an option (e.g. IR remote). And as for the field that would be an interesting idea for a field and I’m not gonna say the GDC will count that out, so yes morphed surfaces would make it challenging.
Also if what I’ve heard is true they found water on the moon so ice may be within the means of terrain and what best represents ice but the regolith from last year?
personal I’m hoping for active field elements. put some motors out there, have the robots communicate with each other and the field to get bonuses. having the field be the 7th robot would be a cool twist IMO.
PS I very much liked this years BEST game even if the scoring was a little confusing
Assuming the “Coopertition Bonus Points” mentioned in Manual section 5 are not earned solely on chips like the safety award has been…
My guess is that the 2010 game will not be a “traditional” 3 vs. 3 game.
Perhaps a flashback to the 2001 4 vs. the clock game or the alliances can work together on a shared task like the FLL cross-table elements along with scoring points independently.
I always think of FRC as an opportunity for the participants to continue moving forward and discovering/flexing new muscles we didn’t even know we had - in areas of problem solving as related to the game. I also think that these efforts and strategies that develop, can and will be applied in helping find real world solutions to existing problems. If they turn around and go back to where we’ve all come from, what would be gained? If they return to the past and bring it forward with an added twist or turn or two, that could be interesting. As individuals, it is easier to return to a comfort zone than it is to stretch out into new areas. The same is true with communities. We think we understand the last few games and have explored everything they have offered. I have a feeling that we haven’t - not completely. The perception could be one thing, the possibilities quite another.
The curve ball is that the GDC is going to celebrate 2010 in a really fun way and we should hold onto our seats.
At River Rage in Manchester NH we beta tested netbooks that are comming in the kit… maybe we are controlling off of those? there was a FIRST program installed on them that was used as the control system instead of that blue box and the wireless router. Also i think stairs and many little objects like tennisballs or foam hockey pucks.
More weight, less power, and how on earth do you get the pulley and tensioner off this darn motor without breaking it? That’s going to be a sight to see… (And yes, that would be a dirty trick. The only things in the KOP’s those years that weighed more than the big CIM were the compressor and the batteries.)