FIRST Overdrive: FIRST Overdrive is a game played on a large playing field with a "track," separated by a lane divider and a six-foot high overpass, bi-secting the track. The object of the game is to attain a higher score than your opponent by making counter-clockwise laps with your robot around the track while moving large 40" trackballs over and/or under the
overpass that bisects the track.
The first 15 seconds of this year's game is known as the hybrid period. This is similar to previous years' autonomous period, where the robot can peform pre-programmed instructions; however during this time the robot may be also programmed to accept commands from a robocoach. Each team was provided an IR sensor to mount on their robot to be used with a remote control, but teams can also use other sensors or inputs to obtain the objective of the game. During the hybrid period, any trackballs knocked off the overpass are worth 8 points, and any lines crossed are worth 4 points.
During the remaining 2 minutes of the match, robots score points by both crossing their alliance's finish line (2 points), and hurdling or pushing their alliance's trackballs over their overpass (8 points, and 2 points, respectively). Any trackballs left on the overpass at the end of the match will receive 12 points for that alliance. |
| Event | Award | Description |
Midwest Regional
UIC Pavilion Chicago
Illinois
February 28th, 2008 - March 1st, 2008 | #8 Seed | |
| Regional Finalist | Wildstang picked 1243 and 1504 to join the 8th seeded alliance. The alliance beat the #1 and #4 alliances before falling to the tough #3 alliance composed of 1114, 1024, & 2041 |
Boilermaker Regional
Purdue University West Layfayette
IN
March 13th, 2008 - March 15th, 2008 | #1 Seed | |
| Rockwell Automation Innovation in Control Award | |
| Regional Champion | Wildstang chose two excellent partners: 1024 and 876. Together, the three teams persevered through the elimination rounds to win it all. |
Championship Event
Georgia Dome Atlanta
GA
April 17th, 2008 - April 19th, 2008 | #5 Seed, Newton Division | |
| Semi-finalists, Newton Division | Wildstang was chosen by the #2 alliance captain, team 2056, who also chose team 68. The alliance ran into some tough luck in the semi-finals and lost in two rounds. |
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FIRST Overdrive: FIRST Overdrive is a game played on a large playing field with a "track," separated by a lane divider and a six-foot high overpass, bi-secting the track. The object of the game is to attain a higher score than your opponent by making counter-clockwise laps with your robot around the track while moving large 40" trackballs over and/or under the
overpass that bisects the track.
WildStang usually comes up with a unique design to accomplish the game challenge, and this year is no exception. An octagonal "nest" was created to secure the ball while a rotating accumulator (complete with tie-dyed ping pong balls) brings the ball into the robot. The entire assembly is driven with pneumatics and lifted to the height of the overpass, and the accumulator reverses to roll the ball out for scoring. An IR sensor is used with aid from the robocoach, in determining the position of the ball on the overpass so it may be knocked down in hybrid mode. In addition, the robot uses crab (swerve) drive for manuevering quickly around the track.