To gain a full understanding of the work at hand by the teams participating in this build season, it is necessary to have at least a principal understanding of this year's objective. On January 5, 2008, the game that would dictate the team's goals for the next six weeks was announced. This season's game is titled "Overdrive." As the name implies, a major part of this competition is the building of a robot that can be driven precisely and efficiently.
Each match will occur on a track contained in a 27 x 54-foot area. A bridge reaching across the playing field contains two balls on each side. The balls are red and blue, assigning each team a color, and are arranged in a random order across the platform.
A new addition to this competition is the requirement that each team be able to transition their robot from autonomous mode to teleoperated mode. Machines must be able to operate without being guided by drivers, as well as by remote control. As previously alluded to, the team also receives points simply for navigating their robot around the track. Potential points are also available for robots with the ability to perform more complex functions. Teams have the opportunity to fabricate robots that will be able to lift, push, and guide the red and blue balls. During the hybrid period, 8 points are received for removing the ball from the overhead bridge, and 4 points each are awarded for crossing lane markers, crossing the opponent finish line, and crossing the alliance finish line. During the teleoperated period, 2 points are awarded for crossing the opponent's finish line and 12 points are received for leaving a ball on the overpass at the end of the match. Crossing the alliance finish line earns 2 points in both modes, and hurdling the alliance overpass earns 8. Because each ball weighs over 7 pounds, any arms, lifts or grips must be carefully engineered to support this weight and avoid damaging the robot.
Team 1619 has created a robot with an arm and gripper in order to accomplish the task of lifting and placing the ball on the overpass. In reality, there are many different strategies, or combinations of strategies, that can be used to accumulate a high point value in this competition. Over the next short and busy week, FIRST teams all over the U.S. will be putting the final touches and tweaks on their machines, in the hopes that their game plan will earn the highest number of points. Good luck to all FIRST teams!
