Strategy

Our strategy is a complex one. We have two individual robots instead of a single one. They operate independently of each other to accomplish different tasks quicker than a single bot designed for both tasks could do them. The robots are codenamed Autobot and Decepticon.



Autobot:
The main bot. This robot is responsible for collecting balls and depositing them in the scoring hole; a task most of the bots are used for.It starts by picking up the balls on the front of the table and depositing them into the scoring hole. It then drives up the stairs to reach the balls on the upper portion of the table. After acquiring those balls, Autobot drives back down the stairs and deposits them into the scoring hole.
Autobot utilizes a drop-six belt drive-train, enabling the bot to drive with a large amount of grip (thanks to the belt) yet not scrub when turning. Also, the belt drive allows Autobot to climb the stairs with much greater grip and therefore speed by evening out the stairs and allowing Autobot to climb them like they were a ramp.
Autobot has a roller mounted on the front. The roller is large and easily compressed in order to mold itself around the balls as it sucks them in and grip them more securely. Autobot's underside is open, so that when it drives over the scoring hole it automatically deposits the balls into the hole.



Deception:
Decepticon is (dare I say it) deceptively simple. Decepticon is simply a plate a little larger than the scoring hole with the double gearbox mounted underneath along with a couple sliders in the front for driving. Decepticon is designed to drive into the opponent's scoring hole and block it upon Autobot's scoring of its first ball. Once Decepticon is in place, it can not be easily removed due to the sliders and gearbox preventing horizontal movement. Once entrenched, Decepticon is very low to the ground and most bots would simply drive over it, preventing other bots from simply knocking it out of the hole.
Decepticon is connected to Autobot through a line trailing from its rear end made up of four electrical wires to transmit power and control from Autobot to Decepticon. This wire will attach to Autobot with a spool, but will largely start off uncoiled on the table in order to allow for quick and easy separation between the two bots.