Strategy

Karthik's Effective FIRST Strategies 2024 (ChiefDelphi) / Slides / Video

10-5-2-1 Cycles Per Match (CPM) analysis

Score 6+ game pieces per match

Rank Points matter

Build within team's capabilities

The jack of all trades, is a master of none (be really good at one thing before trying to master all of it)

There are many ways to reduce cycle times, but these critical path concepts are the fundamental top priorities that will show the path to success

Smart Strategic Design: Follow Karthik's Effective Strategy and Design Principles

100% Mobile: Never break on the field where the robot is immobile

• Overheated motors will shutdown. Set current limits and use proper gear reduction ratios to optimize motor life

• Never implement untested code that can result in unresponsive robot

• Watch Center of Gravity (CG) of robot so it does not tip over due to aggressive maneuvering or getting hit by another robot

• Use proper electrical wiring strain relief techniques to prevent disruptions

 Touch It Own It: Take no more than 1 sec to acquire gamepiece

• Intake system should be able to almost instantly intake the object without fumbling

• Driver needs to know quickly when object is acquired from across the field to avoid coming back with nothing

100 in 1: Scoring should be made with 100% consistency and within 1 sec after stopping

• Robot should be able to shoot/place game object within 1 second after getting into position without missing

• Shoot and move is an advanced feature that reduces overall cycle times but isn't a fundamental must have

• Better to be slower but 100% consistent -- make every shot count

Don't forget the programmers! Never compensate a bad mechanical design with programming

Reduce gearbox backlash. Use a chain/belt reduction at the last stage of motion transmission as it can mask any backlash from the motor's gearbox

Select the appropriate gear reduction that provides the most controllability. The easier it is for the  motor to turn (measured in how many Amps it draws), the easier it is to control. Choose a reduction that keeps the motor around Max Efficiency as much as possible. This depends on the amount torque or power that is required.

Understand and consider the following when choosing an Archetype:

• Low goal vs high goal is worth x more points

• Archetype x is the most likely to seed first

• Archetype x will need archetype y in elimination matches

• Which Archetype the team is capable of completing ON TIME in build season

Basic Archetypes:

Simulating gameplay helps see what kind of field and robot interactions and test different archetype scenarios

Use XRC Simulator to allow 3v3 simulaiton -- Download Link / Setup Guide Link

Alternatively, you can make a mock field with tape and use human players