Two Boulder Auto

FIRST General Forum
1

Is a two boulder auto viable in this game?

A particularly good robot may be able to cross the defenses, shoot a ball, go back into the neutral zone, grab a second ball, and then cross back into the courtyard and shoot a second time.

However, this rule seems to kind of impede that:
G13 During AUTO, ROBOTS may not enter the volume above the MIDLINE.

If you’re not allowed to touch the midline, it seems difficult to grab the balls in the center.
Would a two ball auto still be possible?

2

In theory it is still possible. It would mean you would touch the ball only and not touch the midline. It would be a challenge but it would still be a challenge.

3

**3.4.9 BOULDER Rules **

**G38 **ROBOTS may not control more than one (1) BOULDER at any time. Violation: FOUL per extra BOULDER

You can’t do two boulder ANYTHING.

4

I don’t think you can carry anymore than one ball at any given time due to rule G38 in section 3.4.9.

3.4.9 BOULDER Rules
G38 ROBOTS may not control more than one (1) BOULDER at any time.
Violation: FOUL per extra BOULDER

Moving or positioning a BOULDER to gain advantage is considered
“control.”
Examples include, but are not limited to:
A. “carrying” (holding BOULDERS inside a ROBOT)

5

Or have one of your alliance partners (who cannot shoot) leave their ball for you.

6

Re-read my post.
I said that you could shoot one boulder, then go back to grab the second one, not possessing both at the same time.

7

What Cory is suggesting is that after you score the first boulder, is it possible and/or feasible to go back and get a second boulder and attempt to score it within autonomous - but not holding two at the same time.

*edit: sniped

8

As long as you don’t control more than one at a time, you can do it. If I can start with one, score, then come back for another, then it seems like it is legal.

9

Ignoring the technicality of possibly not being able to grab the ball from the middle, is it even possible to do that much field movement in the given amount of time? Let’s say you start essentially touching one of the defenses. Cross the defense in a second or two (minimum for the fastest, which is the low bar). Align and shoot in a few seconds. Work your way back across the obstacle. Find and obtain another ball. Again go across the obstacle, and shoot again.

Unless the stars align perfectly, I doubt this would be possible in the given time even with a very fast chassis.

10

We think it can be done and will be trying to do it.

The easiest way would be to have a robot that can fit under the poll with a ball but isn’t necessarily the only way.

With a high end swerve, advanced vision, and versatile anti-defense mechanisms we will be trying to do a 2 ball auto. Even if we don’t always get 2, scoring one and being back in neutral zone will be a pretty big advantage.

With teams being able to do 3 ball auto and move 2 years ago(us being one of them) and last year teams doing the 3 tote auto plus cans… not very many but a few teams will be able to do multi ball auto. I can see 2 being realistic but not 3

11

Position in front of the Low Bar defense.

  1. Run across
  2. Shoot
  3. Run back
  4. Use a venturi vacuum system to attach to the ball on your side of the mid-line and pull it into your robot
  5. Run across again
  6. Shoot

Good luck

12

more like:

Position in front of the Low Bar defense.

  1. Run across
  2. aim for goal which has to be precise
  3. Shoot
  4. realign to run back over defense
  5. Run back
  6. move sideways/ at angle to align with the ball in middle of field
  7. intake ball without crossing mid plane
  8. realign and get in position to cross again
  9. cross defense again
  10. aim for goal second time
  11. shoot
  12. reposition to get those 2 extra points
13

What’s the over/under on the number of bots on Einstein that will do it?

14

This rule will certainly dissuade many many teams from even attempting a 2-ball auto. I don’t doubt that some spectacular teams will do a 2-ball auto, but this rule (in my opinion) unnecessarily discourages almost all teams from pursuing it.

15

You could also have one bot kick all the mid-line balls over to the low bar for another bot to fire. If any two teams can pull this off they’d ensure a win.

16

Huh? You’re giving all the BOULDERS to your opponents? I’m not sure how that results in a win.

Remember this rule

G13
During AUTO, ROBOTS may not enter the volume above the MIDLINE.

How are you planning to kick the BOULDER toward your teammates without going over the MIDLINE?

17

3.5

I’ll take the over.

18

I’m not trying to pick on you, but I wish I had a nickle for every comment I’ve seen on CD saying [X capability] was impossible, but was demonstrated by one or more teams during the season or at Champs. I’m pretty sure the fund would be bigger than my 401K. :yikes:

19

My team had a huge debate today about moving the boulders. You can’t carry the boulders? And if you can, when is it considered controlling. And what’s considered a “gained advantage?” We are also wondering that if you can’t position the boulder, then how do you make any goals at all?

20

G33 Boulders can only be introduced to the field during teleop.
G34 No more than 6 boulders may be in the castle at any time. Must immediately introduce excess boulders.

If an alliance does get 4 boulders in auto, the rules say the opposing alliance gets a foul. I don’t see this as a violation of G11 as the intent is to score points, not cause a foul on the opponents.