Good Robots

Hi everyone. For your skills chart there is a requirement to have done design research. You guys can post information on other teams here.

-The Simbotics (1114) 2012 robot was very successful as it was low to the ground and accurate as well as efficient when picking up balls. It picked up balls by using an arm that fed them into the firing mechanism, as well as lowering the platform in the middle and shielding the front of its drive system to allow it to cross the bump easily.
-The Simbotics Team also has its own smart phone app that contains vital information on the technical aspects of a robot. The app also contains information on the current FRC games
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-Team 25, Raider Robotix, was present at the 2012 finals and was a medal winner. Team 25’s robot was of a very simple and used 6 wheels in a fixed forward position. Balls were taken up from the bottom and are brought up the launcher much like our own. The robot was also able to lower the bridge by using not an arm, but its chassis as the robot was able to perform a “wheelie” to get on top.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-Team 245 uses a crab drive system like Team 25 which was also a very successful team. Team 25 is unable to pick up balls from any side other than the front. It fires a ball much like the mechanism that our machine uses but is slightly more direct than ours as it travels straight up the firing mechanism. The robot is also thinner than ours which makes it easier to triple balance.

I have uploaded my design research here: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BySKaU0-6FcBSUcwYm9xSGtEQjA

You should be able to read it online without needing to sign in.

EDIT: The formatting is messed up if you view it online so you'll have to download it to read it.

Team 341

Autonomous - They start in the center of the key, drive back, pick up an additional ball and shoot all three. (note: they have a chance to pick up all the balls from the bridge instead of just one; resulting in a penalty).
Drive system - Tank drive
Pickup - They can only pick up from the front
Shooting - They have a turret. Their code allows them to shoot from anywhere provided they have enough power. Though from watching them they seem to favor the edges of the key.
Triple Balancing - They have done it multiple times. Their robot is wide to allow more space on the bridge.

These guys made it into the finals and are an extremely strong team.

A video of their robot in action.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0Tb4dP2RmA

good post Will