Today, we looked at our results and discussed some lessons. We also invited the Churchill team in for some friendly scrimmages. We discussed the National Botball conference and are thinking about it. Check out http://www.botball.org/php/standard/2004/national/04-call-for-papers.html.
A video on the scrimmage is here (you will need to brighten the rendering).
Here are some pictures:
Here is everybody
Robots ready to go |
Robot attack!
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Lessons Learned
We learned some important lessons that I hope we remember next year:
- Add more timers to the code to control runaway bots.
- Try some code reviews to check if the code makes sense.
- Don't cram on the last day.
- Cover RCX IR port with tape completely.
- Reduce hard coded values. Use sensors and ambient values.
- Use Lithium batteries.
- Charge Handyboards constantly
- Ban Magic Cards.
- Consider more offense strategies
- Organize differently -- stronger:
- Sign contracts
- Stick to a published schedule
- Assign positions
- Team A: 2x people, 2x parts, 2x score!
We also have an attendance spreadsheet, which is interesting in understanding the project.