And so it begins…

http://www2.usfirst.org/2006comp/Manual/4-The_Game.pdf

Read that and you’ll know what I’ll be doing for the next six weeks.

In case you don’t fee like reading that whole document, let me give you a synopsis.

The object of the game is to score points by shooting nerf-like balls into goals.  Each team is made up of three robots.  Each team has a three goals, on the opposite side of the field that they are trying to score in.  The center goal is a 30” diameter hole centered on the wall located 8’6” above the floor.  Above the center goal is a green light that the robots can use to track as they move around the field.  A ball that goes into the center goal is worth three points.  There is also a goal in each corner near the ground.  Balls scored in those goals are worth one point each.
The game is broken down into periods.  The first period is ten seconds of autonomous programming where the robots are programmed to score points.  The second period is forty seconds of operator control.  During this period, the team that scored the most points during the first period is on defense.  Only the offensive team may score points during this period while the opposing team play defense.  The third period is the same as the second except that the teams switch roles.  The defensive team goes on offense and vice versa.  During the fourth both teams are free to score points as they please.  In other words, the fourth period is a free for all.
The team with the highest score wins.

Get it?  I didn’t think so.  Read the document, or at least look at the pictures.

For the next six weeks, or until school starts, I’ll be trying to figure out how to win that game.  And if I’ve got that figured out I’ll be building a robot to win the game.  Plus I have to get my car fixed, work some, get my books for school, and many other things.

After the ship date I may give you some hints about out robot and what we’re building, but until then, you’ll have to wait.