2006 LRSBC Feedback

[Joe Jagadics]

First off congratulations to Mr. Saunders for winning the 2006 Lightning Robotics Sumo Bot Competition.

This year we had 21 participants compete of the 26 that signed up which is a huge improvement over last years 15 out of 21. We also had a lot more spectators this year.

Now this is where you get to tell me what you thought. What you liked what you diden't like, and what should change next year.

[ryan]

It was fun. Maybe no motor restriction next year, or a rule saying only KOP motors, but no quanity restriction. I had a cool high-torque idea that would have required 4 silvers... But the only thing i'd really change would be the motor restriction, not really anything else...

[UnderDark]

my feedback:

raise the maximum weight
less motor restrictions
size constraints are okay as they are

[Skywalkar]

I agree with above 2- From what I saw and tried, it would've been better with less motor restrictions.

[FLCLimax1]

ya the motors and configuration of them i didint realy like. becaus using the small motors for a weapon isnt real a good weapon.
maybe if it were 4 of the big motors i think i would of been fine with that.

but be sides that i loved it.

[pathew100]

Yeah, I agree, silver motors = good, gold motors = teh suck

[bgraham]

Next year Brian should have a better job so he doesn't work late every night the week before the comp.

Ah, not like I would have done anything different.

Actually - it was a good comp - we just need to get people to make better robots. Maybe require wire towers?

[eric]

I would also like less motor restrictions and a higher minimum weight requirement.

How does requiring wire towers make better robots?

[Joe Jagadics]

If your robot has a tower to keep the wires out of its own way there is less tangling. There were a lot of matches were a simple wire tower would have prevented most of the tangling problems.

As for motor restrictions I have a few things in the works for next but the kits will most likely come with 2 silver and 2 gold but I'll prolly allow for a total of 4 in any combination.

As for weight most of the bots couldn't move at the current weight limit why raise it?

[mikesaunders]

I agree with Joe. I'd limit the weight to three pounds. The sumobot power supply just does not supply enough power.

And even then you need to make sure the drive train is efficient as possible, and does not bind.

[ryan]

Heh, yeah... Next year i'm planning on a better drivetrain. The weight limit at 5lbs sounds good, especially since my bot only weighed in at 1.4lbs

[eric]

How hard would it be to make a better sumobot power supply? It would be handy to have at least one working practice power supply. Would the increased load burn out the motors instead of only drawing more power?

[Joe Jagadics]

Great suggestions guys, please keep them comming.

2007 LRSBC -- You Design! (for suggestions about design challenges)

[Skywalkar]

I'd like more than two working controllers to be availible- perhaps test out each one we have individually, and if it's broken, give some kid in class extra credit if they can fix it.

That way, we wouln't have to jumble around trying out every unused controller to find a working one every time we started a new match.

[Joe Jagadics]

All the controllers are old and getting worn out, thats why they stop working. Fixing them isn't hard but the problem is the repairs could last last through a whole competition or stop working in the middle of their first match.

I believe Mrs. Todd suggested a bottle drive to by a new set for the team to use.
Controller pads cost $30 each
That could easily be raised from a bottle drive.

Another option is to order a new set of Controller boxes for the team $375 for a set of two. Again fundraising would be required.

For those who have recomended using the wireless controllers they cost $345 each
Car kits for the wireless cost $32 each without servos, reciver, or battery.

[FLCLimax1]

ya sounds good i'd help out
it would be awsome if we had controlers that fully worked

[UnderDark]

Yhea, go for new "team" controller boxes (wired ones) because the team has shown in that p[ast that raising $60 is incredably easy, and I think we can get $375 for a new set of two.

[Skywalkar]

I'm all for that.
:)