NorCal FLL Community

Building the mat and trying to figure out where everything goes. Last year our team couldn't determine which color of loops went where on the Smart Move mat and it really messed up our strategy. Is there anyone willing to share pretty detailed pictures of the mat so that we can start on the correct path?

Jessica Dewey-Hoffman 555 days ago

Hi Jessica,  the only person that knows this information for sure is not telling :-)   And that person is Scott Evans, the game designer.   Field setup instructions are released along with the challenge details on September 3rd.  

Just a note that we will be holding a kickoff event for Nor Cal teams and will have the game set up and be able to walk through the missions.    Details on how to RSVP will be coming soon...

Jill W, Nor Cal FLL partner 555 days ago

Yay! Okay. Do you know yet if the kickoff will be a weekend or weekday?

Jessica Dewey-Hoffman 554 days ago

We're a new team and we are curious how other teams build the solid base that the mat sits on.  Do you use 4x8 plywood?  How rigid does the base have to be?  Do people just put the mat on the floor?  -SC

Susan Cheng 553 days ago

Yes, 4x8 plywood should be fine. Follow the table building directions as best you can. If you're table isn't built as correctly as possible then it'll throw off any programs your kids developed prior to competition. The table ensures that your robot doesn't fly off the competition mat and also allows the kids to factor in obstacles when using the ultrasonic sensor.

I can't seem to find the link on www.usfirst.org that has the building directions, but find them and follow them. Some teams that no longer compete may dump theirs so keep an eye on the forums for a free one in your area.

The only deviation our table has from the standard directions is that ours can be folded in half. (Hinges in the center and under the table so that it doesn't interfere with the mat on top.) The idea is nice because it fits better in a standard vehicle for transporting, but it makes it very unruly when lifting and moving. I was lucky enough to have a carpenter make our table who thought about the hinge idea.

I don't recommend putting the mat or any robot/lego pieces on the floor, ever. I've put the wooden table on the floor once to make it more accessible, but even then, a kid left the robot on the floor and then promptly stepped on it. The other thing is, as soon as you start running the robot on the floor it will get dirty a whole lot quicker. I highly recommend elevating your table, either on a folding table (not as recommended because the mat table shifts) or on the saw-horses (best stability).

Also, as a new team, check www.usfirst.org daily, especially once the challenge has been released. I made that mistake last year and will not make the mistake again. Check the Game Q&A daily for updates.

Jessica Dewey-Hoffman 553 days ago

Table Building Instructions are here (with a link to the usfirst.org)....   Most hardware stores will do the cuts that you need for the 2x4 sides.   

With respect to a folding table -  two things to watch out is to make sure that the final size is still correct and watch out for the seam on the sides and surface - if you are not careful, the table will end up too short and will have a noticeable "bump".   This will cause the team's robot to navigate differently.  If you have the space, it would be better to have a non-folding one.   The thickness of the plywood (and the plywood ribs underneath)  matters if you want to put your table on sawhorses.   If you have a solid surface like a table  or the floor (with Jessica's caveat above), you can use much thinner material - and it doesn't have to be plywood.

Jill W, Nor Cal FLL partner 553 days ago

Jessica -  Kickoff will be either on Friday 9/3 evening OR Saturday 9/4.   Still working out details with our wonderful host,  Google!

Jill W, Nor Cal FLL partner 553 days ago