EricH:
So, let’s assume that on 12/1/2013, FRC says “OK, folks, your base size for the year is a 160” frame perimeter, bumpers are between 2 and 10 inches, and you can start work NOW. The rest of the rules will be at your regularly scheduled Kickoff. Good Luck!" For the sake of example, I’ll assume that the Kitbot/PDV option is applied such that the team will receive the Kitbot early in December, say as close as possible to 12/1.
I had a similar idea back in 2007 (I keep things like this in my “Bad Predictions” file):
Idea: Extend the build season by a week, and then kick off the competition in phases. My sample build season schedule:
That thread has some other relevant thoughts in it, also. It was about creating ways to force teams to design and THEN build, which I think is very relevant to the problem of build-season burnout.
Keep going with this thread-- the discussion is very valuable.