Kickoff in 4 Days: Who Knows What's Coming?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Chi Meson
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AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around the dynamics of the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), highlighting that the game rules change annually while some core rules remain consistent, such as motor limits, battery specifications, and weight restrictions. Participants express excitement and anticipation for the upcoming game, with hints that this year's game will be particularly unique and complex. There is also a mention of the "not battlebots" rule, emphasizing that teams cannot intentionally damage each other's robots. The conversation touches on engineering practices, particularly the use of metric versus imperial measurements in robotics. Additionally, there are congratulations for teams like Chi Meson and the Aluminum Falcons, who have recently achieved success in competitions, and a mention of innovative strategies, such as a robot without wheels that successfully climbed during matches. The thread concludes with a sense of community support and eagerness for the new season's challenges.
Chi Meson
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Who knows what I'm talking about!

aluma%20fett.png
 
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This is your robotics team Chi?
 
FIRST I've heard of it!
 
Are the rules always the same?
 
Borek said:
Are the rules always the same?
The game is different each year. Some basic rules are recurrent: no more than 4 CIM motors, only certain brands of 12V batteries, 120 lb weight limit, numerals on bumpers must be 4" high, etc. There is also a recurring "this is not battlebots" rule; we are never allowed to deliberately damage another robot. But mostly, new rules every year. That's what is going to make this weekend so long. I mean "fun."
 
I am taking this year off. My daughter however is mentoring for team 955 in Corvallis. So I will be in touch. Might find it hard to stay away. I'll see how the season goes.

Good luck Al Falcons!
 
Do any 'battlebots' competitions exist similar to this one?
 
Chi Meson said:
120 lb weight limit, numerals on bumpers must be 4" high, etc.

You'd think if anything would go metric, it would be this...
 
Vanadium 50 said:
You'd think if anything would go metric, it would be this...
I always smile when I read a paper in a science journal and the size of the test specimen was 25.4mm.

But some US engineers have gone metric. For example Boeing design their airplane fuselages in sections 8 feet 4 inches long. Think about it ...
 
  • #10
AlephZero said:
I always smile when I read a paper in a science journal and the size of the test specimen was 25.4mm.

But some US engineers have gone metric. For example Boeing design their airplane fuselages in sections 8 feet 4 inches long. Think about it ...

You beat me to it! I was going to say that "teams can get aluminum stock for their robot chassis with fastening holes drilled every 1.27 cm"

Aw jeez, it's tomorrow! *hyperventilates*
 
  • #12
Oh jiminy, here we go.

There is chatter out there, and it is suggesting that this game is going to be unlike any prior FRC game.

Somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody who's been assembling the field parts is saying that no one is ready for this year.

Tune into NASA (cable or website) at 10:30 tomorrow AM (EST) to see what the game is.
 
  • #13
Good luck, Chi! Best of luck to your team!
 
  • #14
Vanadium 50 said:
You'd think if anything would go metric, it would be this...

I think we'll be using English units in engineering until the heat death of the universe, unfortunately.
 
  • #15
It's Frisbee!

No one saw this coming!
 
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  • #16
Rules are way too complicated if you ask me.
 
  • #17
Can't wait to see the real game. Good luck Chi! :)
 
  • #18
The robot is in the bag. It's "Stop Build Day" in the FRC world. Last Saturday we won the pre-season scrimmage in Suffield , CT, for the 2nd year. That was without even being able to shoot (we have a beastly defensive driver!).
I'll try to get an image up
 
  • #19
What have I been doing recently?

Winning!

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/581730_10200909442282350_422540557_n.jpg
Winners of the WPI Regional FIRST Robotics Competition

These are all the mentors of our team, the Aluminum Falcons. We led the 6th-seeded alliance through a series of upsets in the quarter- and semi-finals, culminating in a close, 3rd game in the best of 3 final.

Here are the kids on the team (about 10 are missing) :(
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/734149_4686694880578_2030076953_n.jpg
 
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  • #20
Chi Meson said:
What have I been doing recently?

Winning!
Congratulations Chi Meson.
 
  • #21
Congrats Chi!
 
  • #22
WOOT! Aluminum Falcons. :-p
 
  • #23
Congrats Chi & The Al Falcons!

My daughter was mentoring for the Corvallis Hi Spartans, team 997 this year. They went to the semi finals of the Oregon regionals with a robot that had no wheels. They sat it at the bottom of the tower and just climbed. 30 pts every match. Since they did not do a video animation competition this year she headed the team spirit group. They won the Jack Kamen Imagery award. needless to say she came home very happy and a bit hoarse!
 
  • #24
Integral said:
Congrats Chi & The Al Falcons!

My daughter was mentoring for the Corvallis Hi Spartans, team 997 this year. They went to the semi finals of the Oregon regionals with a robot that had no wheels. They sat it at the bottom of the tower and just climbed. 30 pts every match. Since they did not do a video animation competition this year she headed the team spirit group. They won the Jack Kamen Imagery award. needless to say she came home very happy and a bit hoarse!

No wheels! Is that the first time ever?
I got to find a video of that!

Easy search:
 
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