What a day!
Before noon it was quietly yet. Different features like recognising the ball and goals were tested and improved, the optimised animation for standing up was tested (standing up from the front works quite well), just walking was making difficulties.
After a referee training, where referees-to-be were taught the rules, our first match began: A friendly game against the Fumanoids.
Bente, Robert and Fabian working with the roboters, probably working on walking
The game endet 0:0, the Fumanoids had noticeable problems with the turf, and our way smaller Darwins were as able to walk as a three-year old in a bouncy castle full of twelve-year olds.
It became clear to us: We wouldn’t be able to walk on the artificial turf that way. After a team meeting, in which everybody suggested ideas, a group went to the hardware store. Back in the hall crafting began, one team of us attached spikes to Tamaras feet, another tried sliding shoes on Wilma, the third tested rubber mats.
As matters stand, the studs (spikes) work best (and are football-alike!) Till the late evening we worked, and today we’ll see if the concept works out.
Standing up from the back doesn’t work on the turf, but we had an animation for rolling over, so we got that going for us.
Hambot is now able to stand and is currently learning to walk. Due to his height the turf wouldn’t be a problem for him, that’s why we are increasingly working on it.
We have mixed feelings for the first match at 13:15 against the team “Photon”. On the one hand, the change of rules this year will be painful for the teams, on the other hand such conditions make room for innovations.
