January 7th, 2002

Planning Phase: BRAINSTORMING
Given cards and told to use them as ideas on how a robot could use them.

EXAMPLE:

• HAMMER-hook onto goals
• SHELVES-use screws from shelves to attach to other robots and drag around
• PLIERS-giant arm with 5 degrees of freedom, manipulate field without moving
• BLENDER-use as turret, using omni-directional treads
  • use as giant water-wheel, scooping balls into goal
• TOASTER-lubricate last year's robot
• LIGHT BULB-blind opponents
  • -screw up infra-red beams
• TOASTER-launch toast to hungry flight team
• GARDEN HOE-distract other team
  • -fund our own team

KIT OF PARTS (for knowledge of what we have):

• 2 batteries
• large muffin fan
• various cables
  
• 2 castor wheels
  
• 2 globe motors
  
• 2 fisher price motors
  
• various electronics: fuses, LED's; small muffin fans; small hobby motor
  
• 3 drill motors- 2 housings
  
• various Velcro straps
  
• torque motor
  
• 4 optical sensors
  
• 2 servo motors
  
• drive shaft
  
• many bearings
  
• wires
  
• wheelchair wheels
  
• transmitter/receiver
  
• controller/interface
  
• speed controllers
  
• relays
  
• gyro
  
• 2 seat motors
  
• 2 window motors
  
• battery charger
  
• wire harnesses
  
• sample drill rods
  
• constant force springs
  
• can motor
  
• surgical tubing
  
• 3 sizes of timing gears
  
• 2 uber-motors
  
• pneumatics kit
  
• various software

MORE BRAINSTORMING
Each group chose one design and elaborated on it, then presented.

GROUP 1

moves in all directions
laser-guided targeting for shooting balls
shoots a hook into the goal and draws it back
STRENGTHS
Very maneuverable
Should be accurate and be able to pick up many balls
WEAKNESSESS
Not durable
Little traction and power

GROUP 2

attach to goal and suck up balls
can control one goal and a ton of balls
STRENGTHS
Easily controls about 28 points
Tank treads, high power and traction
WEAKNESSESS
Small durability problem
Very heavy

GROUP 3

essentially the same as group 3's robot
scoops balls up fairly quickly
STRENGTH
Could scoop balls up fairly quickly
WEAKNESSESS
Timing at all off and fan doesn't work
Less traction and durability than group 3

GROUP 4

hooks onto goal
replace front wheel with another hook and could control 2 goals
STRENGTHS
Good at grabbing goals
A lot of traction and a bit of speed
WEAKNESSESS
Fairly slow
Front wheel hinders maneuverability
Goes well with 2 goal and park strategy
Very hard to turn, high traction treads

GROUP 5

basket holds the other robot
claw with the shade can block balls from getting in/out of goal
could fill up shade with balls and dump them into goal
STRENGTHS
Could control balls and goals
Has ability to pin other robot
WEAKNESSESS
Easily thrown off-balance
Could be entangled in its own arms

GROUP 6

has voice control system
shoots tether into home at last second
STRENGTHS
Extra 10 at end
Control goal and get back home at same time
WEAKNESSESS
Entanglement

STRATEGERY: ONE WAY TRIP VS. DETATCHABILITY
One-way: could be more dependable
Could easily break off
Detatchable:capable of changing strategy
Very important to strategy, changes the whole way you will play the game, must keep in mind while planning.
Might want to wait until last second, if it is a non-integral part, shouldn't waste time on it early, half-ass it later but get it all done.

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