Deep down inside, we knew that one day, robots will morph, grow and expand at will like the Transformers.  This year’s FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) “Bowled Over” is just such game, inviting a dramatic transformation from an 18” cube to a 10 feet+ tall crate lifting giant.  Perhaps sky (or ceiling) is the limit?

Throughout science fiction history, people are fascinated with something that can unfold itself from a dormant stage, and rise above ground.  Similarly, at each tournament, mind’s voices are echoing in our heads:  How high will it go?  Will it be stable?  Will it break the last record?  Does it work?  All eyes on top, envying and admiring the engineering achievements, while silently estimating the high scores that would soon be prominently publicized across the web in a viral frenzy.

This season, each FTC team is set out to defy gravity with just one racquet ball needed in each plastic crate, regardless if the lifting design is flimsy or solid.  As the season progresses, most robots have become a one trick wonder, taking the game off the 2-D plane.  Each new height ignites a wave of redesigns, often generates many déjà vu look alike as well.  High scoring mission, such as lifting crates, became the top and only design goal for many to be competitive. It is impressive to see the ingenuity in implementing different mechanical concepts along with the time and effort required to achieve a reliable design.

Meanwhile, the theme of the challenge, the bowling balls, is taking a backseat in the corner, hopefully, out of robots’ way. Dozens more racquet balls, ignored for their single digit point value, scattered around as inconvenient obstacles to jam wheels.  Magnet balls or not, paled in comparison to the rising crates.  Most teams, even the rookies, are pressured to abandon these lower scoring missions. To win, a single high scoring lifting robot can easily overshadow a pair of well rounded alliance.  Finding a complimentary partner is no longer a necessity; finding an alliance who can double the lifting would be a lot more effective.

So if this year’s FTC challenge is to explore different lifting mechanism and encourage maximum scores, it has definitely achieved that goal regardless what the name of the game says. But if FTC’s mission is to encourage exploration of more innovative science and technology as well, then our team could be on a lonely path…..