9 Jan. 2016

1. Docs

Summary

Today was kickoff day, and all of the members gathered in the afternoon to watch the game reveal video, as well as all the supplementary videos provided with the game. We had several game manuals already printed out by our mentor earlier that morning. After everyone had watched the video, people split into groups that brainstormed strategies and designs that could help boost the performance of the robot, and to analyze the manual in detail.

Changes

N/A

Decisions

Teams assigned: Mike, Josh, and Roger are leaders of the software team; Mike and Jason are leaders of the design team; Victoria will keep records in the journal; and field elements and building will be worked on by all members of the team.

Concerns

It may be better to adopt a defensive strategy and build a robot that passes through defenses and climbs rather than aims and shoots to have better chances of being picked for finals. Look to DARPA competitions for investigation.

2. Field Elements

Summary

The competition video revealed the eight defenses: the portcullis and chevar de Frise in category A; the moat and ramparts in category B; the drawbridge and Sally port of category C; and the rock wall and rough terrain of category D.

Decisions

Field elements will need to be built this week. One base with ramps and side barriers will be built; actual defenses on top will be built to be interchangeable.

Concerns

In the coming days, the design team will need to choose certain sets of defenses to tackle.

3.Software

Summary

Github will be used to share code amongst the software team, and to keep track of software issues.

4. Hardware

Summary

The chassis and other parts from Andy Markus was picked up in the morning from the FRC kickoff in Ventura. Further pieces will be purchased later this week after design ideas have been finalized.

Decisions

A camera is necessary - consider a USB camera. Suggested drive systems include the use of suspended treads, rocker bogie, and ATV suspension. Autonomous mode will require three switches: one rotary for position, one rotary for defense, and one toggle for enable/disable.

Concerns

See docs. Other suggestions include having individually suspended wheels; wheels in a bent cross style; having a rotary portcullis opening mechanism; and a telescoping metal rod attached to a motor for angle adjustment if robot is to extend.

5. Wiring

Summary

Wiring will not be discussed until the building of the robot is almost complete - in two to three weeks.