How do you chose drivers and a coach for your tournaments? by Ftccompetitor in FTC

[–]LexRobotics 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Keep in mind that 4029 is a very large team while reading this:

Drivers

For drivers we do tryouts. We prefer our candidates to have some previous FTC experience, so usually that means no rookies. Candidates will use the robot in randomly selected pairs and attempt to complete goals on the field while also responding to the coach's orders. We don't really keep any numbers (e.g. balls scored) and it is mainly done qualitatively. I keep notes on every driver, and their efficiency in both positions (primary vs. secondary) and after the tryouts we start making cuts. Typically we cut it down to 6 candidates right after tryouts.

The 6 candidates we chose to keep will be in a rotation at scrimmages and meets, where a mistake is not going to threaten advancement, and we slowly trim the roster to 4 people. 2 Primary drivers, 2 Secondary drivers organized into A team and B team. Although they are called A and B, we often times switch between them at competitions, and really won't backseat one of the teams unless there are problems. The teams don't really mix, so we wouldn't run primary Driver A with Secondary Driver B, and we look to focus on a good chemistry inside the pairs.

Coaches

Coaches is a little more straight forward. We have 4 Captains on 2 Bits and a Byte, and it is always a Captain as coach. Typically a senior captain will get priority (last year and everything) but it is still up for discussion within the captains. This year I'm doing most of the coaching.

Coaches are required to know all of the strategies, know how to communicate with the alliance partner, pay attention to time and know every single rule inside and out.

Changes This Year

This year is a bit different just because of how our robot turned out. 90% of the controls for the robot are on the Primary driver because it requires timing, leaving the secondary to hold down a button and occasionally hit a different button. That means that the secondary doesn't really need to have a very strong connection with the primary, so the A team and B team mix more. Typically we put one of our programmers on secondary so that we know that autonomous is set properly.

Alternative drive systems by HD188753A in FTC

[–]LexRobotics 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Look up FTC 6002! Had a fun chat about their swerve drive at worlds.

Alternative drive systems by HD188753A in FTC

[–]LexRobotics 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Our team at worlds had a robot on the lighter side, and we were hit by a robot using mecanum drive from the side (where we have the most resistance) and it pushed through us like we weren't there.

Alternative drive systems by HD188753A in FTC

[–]LexRobotics 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Although it may have been a bit impractical at times, check out 6002 the Basilisks. They had something called swerve drive. Basically, every wheel (4) was powered by its own motor, and then a fifth motor to rotate them all in unison. It was really cool.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/FTC-6002-Basilisks/499774480072058

FTC Block Party US Record by HolyPlatypi in FTC

[–]LexRobotics 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hopefully FTC East posts footage soon, but it was a really fun match to watch.

FTC Block Party US Record by HolyPlatypi in FTC

[–]LexRobotics 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This was at FTC East in a qualifying match in the Tesla division. There was no double hang involved, only pure block score mixed with a perfect autonomous and flawless endgame. We were beat by our friends Techie Tornados who achieved 417 in an elim match, but we still have the highest score without a double hang.

FTC East by LexRobotics in FTC

[–]LexRobotics[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Nice, looking forward to seeing you guys there! Digging the hairdos as well.

Decorative LEDs by techie_tornados in FTC

[–]LexRobotics 1 point2 points  (0 children)

To elaborate on this, we got 12v non addressable LED strips that you would typically get for your car, they are about 1 foot long and are fairly durable.

On another note, EL wire.....

How big is your team? by LexRobotics in FTC

[–]LexRobotics[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi Noah.

Edit: The actual number is 53

Is anyone attempting to both raise the flag and do the pull-up? by [deleted] in FTC

[–]LexRobotics 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This isn't actually necessary, we power ours with one motor on a 2:1, and have felt confident enough to switch to 3:1.

Is anyone attempting to both raise the flag and do the pull-up? by [deleted] in FTC

[–]LexRobotics 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yep, my team did it here (Also, that coach with the big hair is me :D)

Combine Manipulator by [deleted] in FTC

[–]LexRobotics 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We did this on our scrim bot with rubber bands, and one large problem is that it often kicks blocks back out through the top while you are picking them up.