Week 1 Update

The 2015 robotics season began just after the turn of the year, as a new challenge was announced worldwide for upcoming competitions. The new challenge focuses on reusability, and uses field elements that can be used by the team after the season ends. Teams will be tasked with stacking tote boxes on top of each other, with additional points rewarding for topping the stack with a recycling bin. Pool noodles designated as "litter" would yield even more points if deposited in either the "landfill" zone or in one of the recycling bins on the field.

Team 1323 spent the first day of build season deciding which approach would net the most points during matches, and began to form basic concepts of how the robot would function. For the remainder of the week and the rest of winter break, the team met in the shop daily to construct prototypes and test ideas. Groups were formed and tasked with testing different subsystems, which will ultimately come together to form the first model of the 2015 robot.

As the prototypes transitioned from basic wood mock ups to aluminum models, the robots final design plans began to take shape. Specific features of the robot can't be discussed until the first competition, so as to prevent other teams from borrowing ideas. However, it was clear that tote stacking would be the primary focus of the robot this year.

Before the first week ended, final concepts were made for the intake system and elevator system of the robot. With these features out of the way, other systems could be planned to fit and coordinate with each other, and the intake could be modified to accommodate new tasks. In the last few days of week 1, several members began assembling the field in the practice room to prepare for final testing and human player practice.