FIRST Overdrive: The 2008 Competition

This year's competition is called "FIRST Overdrive"

The game will be played in two alliances of 3 teams, blue vs. red. There are two ways of scoring points in this competition: herding a trackball across the appropriate team's finish line or passing a ball over the overpass.

To score points during the hybrid mode, robots must autonomously cross as many lines as possible on the field with the help of the robocoach. Bonus points are awarded during this period when a team's trackball is removed from the overpass, which is 6'6 tall. When teleoperated period begins, robots must race around the track, winning points only for crossing their own finish line.

Trackballs can also score points when they cross their team's finish line. Extra point are awarded when the balls cross over the overpass. Lastly, if a trackball is placed on the overpass when time is called, a team can win a 12 point bonus.

Of course, there are a lot more rules and specifics. Here are a number of important resources specific to this year's competition: Kickoff Video and This Year's Animation 2008 Competition Manual 2008 Updates "Dean's Homework Assignment" FIRST Podcast Driving Directions to Hofstra University Directions to Jacob Javits Center Important Dates   February 14 Website Award Due February 15 Cold Stone Fundraiser (on 2nd Avenue between 85th and 86th St.) February 16-19 Ship off Weekend February 19 Chairman's Award Due March 26 Pre-competition Meeting March 27-29 SBPLI Long Island Regional April 3 Pre-competition Meeting April 4-6 NYC Competition at the Javits Center April 29 Tentative Engineering Panel at Brearley May 12 Team Dinner

SBPLI Regional Agenda Friday, March 28, 2008 9:00AM - 9:30AM Opening Ceremonies 9:30AM - 4:30PM Robotics Competition 4:30PM - 5:00PM Day 1 Awards Ceremony 4:30PM-6:30PM VIP Reception Saturday, March 29, 2008 9:00AM - 9:30AM Opening Ceremonies 9:30AM - 11:45AM Robotics Competition 1:00PM - 4:00PM Playoff Matches and Awards NYC Regional Agenda Saturday, April 4, 2008 Will be updated soon. Sunday, April 5, 2008 Will be updated soon.