HotShot! Game Stuff

This year's game incorporates an IR emitting beacon to allow teams to target, using an IR seeker/sensor on their robot if they choose.

The beacon-sensor combination operates on a specific frequency to minimize the impact of ambient IR noise. A company named HiTechnic designed the beacon for the game this year. HiTechnic also developed and provides the motor controllers in the FTC kit. They're also the folks who developed and manufacture many of the LEGO branded sensors used around the world. Impressive group.

In any case we're going to be able to offer the beacon to teams at a very reduced cost. They'll be available via the HiTechnic website next week - one per team. Thank the folks at HiTechnic if you get a chance.

The balls used in the game are available via the web at http://www.stee-rike3.com. An interesting note is that this company developed the yellow balls specifically for FTC. They used to be red. We went with gold to have a non-alliance color. Gold also happens to be the official FTC program color... a little known fact since we've just recently adopted it.

Hopefully you're starting the strategic thinking around the game and pulling together all the details to have a successful season. Don't forget to review the judged awards stuff early on too. In addition to using your Engineering Notebook - look at the PTC Design Award criteria. We've added additional allowable materials like Kydex, ABS, and PETG and still allow aluminum and polycarbonate. We've also increased how much of these materials you can use.

A rudimentary example of how to form polycarbonate can still be seen from last year at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DggCGw0C1c0. I'll try to film something using basic vacuum molding later this season.

Use your creativity to come up with some cool designs.

Talk later,
Ken