Welcome to the first instalment of Joe's Notes, notes taken during meetings by Joe Parrish. In this document, Joe lists ideas and strategies learned during the StuBot game (Monday, January 11th).
_Robot Controllers_
Use the two minutes before the match to plan strategy with your alliance.
Don't forget to pick up opponent floppies (take out of play).
Turning while pushing is better than pure brute force.
Need a way to keep track of which robot is in our alliance.
Can't count on unattended floppies to remain on puck.
One robot/two floppies on puck w/ puck on your side is a winning combination.
Need to balance high scoring and winning (during qualification matches).
_Puck Interaction_
Get the puck over to the other side.
Don't push puck all the way over to opponents side.
Standing on top of puck must be ready to fight off boarders.
Both alliance robots can sit on puck and push together.
Turning while pushing is better than pure brute force.
Wedge [foot] under caster of puck. LEGAL? No
Good to hang onto vertical bars on puck.
Pulling may be easier than pushing.
One robot on dead center of puck can block other robots from getting on.
Low CG on puck is good.
_Human Players_
Use human player to hand your floppies over while collecting opponent floppies.
Human players can throw floppies onto puck.
Human players can steal floppies away from opponent robot. LEGAL?
Use human palyers to sort floppies (pick up everything).
_Robot Design_
Develop very good stealing mechanism.
Robot should be able to hang onto puck with lots of shoving.
Consider basket for floppies that can be raised at end of match.
Consider mechanism that can prevent other robots from getting on puck.
Consider aikido-style robot that can use the opponent's strength against them.
Consider conveyor belt that can deposit (selectively) floppies in basket.
Consider robot that can get onto top of puck and then drive the puck.
Consider rocker bogey style suspension.
Durability is a major issue.
Have enough capacity to hold all opponent floppies.
Consider stabilizing arms.
Self-righting capability may be very important.
Robot w/ backpack that falls over onto puck and latches onto pole.
Flippable base that drives on one set of wheels, then uses other set of wheels when on puck.
Tank treads may provide a lot of friction.
Use nets to gather floppies.
1-DOF manipulator w/ Velcro is very effective.
Four ropes shoot out to harpoon floppies.
Lasso puck and pull it to your side.
Tri-wheel on a single axle (for climbing).
Consider developing robot that is stable and dominates puck.
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