Robot Advice

Advice for Consistent Robot Performance

This is advice gathered from other team coaches, FLL workshop training, and YouTube videos. There is a lot of freely available advice to be found online. FIRST^® is all about Coopertition^®, sharing ideas, designs, and, when necessary, parts, so that all teams perform at their best. So feel free to pull from everything you find and make it part of your own.

Use the wall and/or a launch jig to ensure robot is lined up accurately before starting.
Clean wheels to prevent slipping. Magic eraser works well. Don't run the robot on the floor.
Keep mat clean also.
Make sure cables are clear of mechanisms.
Check attachments for secure fit and attachment.
USE A CHECKLIST:
- where to start
- jig needed
- attachments
- program number
- mission numbers
- game pieces
Photos/drawings are better than text, when possible.

Advice from Roboplex.org

Virtual Conference 2020 Presentation Slides

Basic Design Tips

Simpler is better
Smaller robots navigates obstacles easier
Wheel size: small more accurate, large quicker
Fast robot – less travel time to missions, slow robot - more accurate
Design for attachments to go on and off quickly
Design to use the field for position (i.e. used the black lines, missions, and wall for position)
Design robot to always start from the same location, don’t visually aim
Design to minimize time in base
Passive vs powered attachments
Watch your center of gravity
Make structure sturdy

5 Basic troubleshooting steps

Identify and Verify the Problem
Rule Out the Obvious
Start with the Simple Solutions
Use Isolation Troubleshooting Techniques
None of Us Are as Smart as All of Us

Online – References, Tools and Parts

Roboplex 2019 Workshop Presentation Slides

Click link to [view slides]((https://roboplex.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/fll201907-part3a-design.pdf) on chassis and attachment design.

LEGO CAD Programs

NOT REQUIRED, but available if you want to give it a try.