'Air Sort': Sorting by Landing Time
The craziest sorting mechanism is no mechanism at all. Using physics to separate game pieces in mid-air.
Autonomous Optimization: Maximizing the 30-Second Start
Don't just park. A second-by-second breakdown of a winning 30-second Autonomous routine.
Avoiding the Overflow: Managing Ramp Capacity
You have 9 slots. Don't waste them. Strategies to manage the Artifact Limit on the Ramp.
Battery Science for Robotics
Your battery is your fuel tank. Learn about internal resistance, voltage sag, and why you should never charge at 4A.
Cracking the RP System: How to Rank Rank 1
Winning matches isn't enough. You need Ranking Points. A deep dive into the DECODE season's RP math and how to maximize your score.
Decoding Defense: Rules Every Driver Must Know
How to play aggressive defense without getting a Yellow Card. Pinning, blocking, and trapping rules explained.
Drivetrain Showdown: Swerve vs. Mecanum vs. Tank
The ultimate comparison. We rank the three major drivetrain types based on Agility, Traction, Cost, and Coding Complexity.
Drivetrain Deep Dive: Mecanum Drive
The standard for a reason. Why Mecanum wheels offer the best balance of mobility and simplicity for most teams.
Drivetrain Deep Dive: Swerve Drive
Is Swerve worth the cost? Analyzing the benefits of omnidirectional movement and field-centric control for the DECODE season.
Drivetrain Deep Dive: Tank & 6-Wheel Drive
The tank. The bulldozer. When raw pushing power and traction matter more than fancy strafing.
Dual-Wheel 'Dumper' Robots: Simplicity Wins
You don't need a shooter. How a simple 'Dumper' design can outperform complex shooters in the Low Goal game.
Indexing Showdown: Vertical vs. Horizontal
Which fits your robot? A direct comparison of space claims and complexity for DECODE indexers.
Intake Mechanics: Surgical Tubing 'Noodles'
Why does everyone use yellow surgical tubing? The physics of the 'Beater Bar' intake and why it's the most reliable choice.
Intake Mechanics: Compliant Wheels
Precision over chaos. Using compliant wheels for a 'Touch It, Own It' intake style.
Intake Showdown: Noodles vs. Wheels
The debate ends here. Which intake style is better for the DECODE artifacts? We compare grip, speed, and durability.
Mastering the Motif: Strategic Scoring
Purple-Green-Purple. How to optimize your scoring patterns to maximize the Motif Bonus in DECODE.
The Physics of Backspin: Why It Matters
Stability. Retention. Range. How adding backspin to your game piece changes everything.
The 'Secret Tunnel': Risk vs. Reward
Is the shortcut worth it? Analyzing the strategic value of the Secret Tunnel zone in DECODE.
Shooter Comparison: Hoods vs. Speed Control
Which is better for aiming? Adjusting the angle or adjusting the speed? A data-driven comparison.
Shooter Design: The Fixed Hood
Simplicity is king. Why a fixed hood shooter might be the most reliable choice for DECODE's high-goal targets.
Powering the Shot: 1 Motor vs. 2 Motors
Is one motor enough? Why nearly every top team uses dual-motor flywheel systems for recovery time and torque.
Rapid Fire Recovery: Shooting Back-to-Back
Why does your second shot always miss? We explain the physics of flywheel recovery and how to maintain RPM during rapid fire.
Trajectory Physics: High Arc vs. Low Arc
The geometry of winning. When to use a high lob shot to evade defense versus a flat laser shot for speed and accuracy.
Shooter Design: Variable Speed Systems
Can you change range just by changing speed? We analyze the physics of RPM modulation for range control.
Spindexer Science: Horizontal Designs
The Lazy Susan approach. How horizontal spindexers offer massive storage capacity for the DECODE artifacts.
Spindexer Science: Vertical Designs
Space saving and gravity fed. Why the vertical 'Revolver' style indexer is perfect for compact robots.
Turrets: The 360-Degree Advantage
Uncouple your driving from your shooting. Why a turret is the ultimate weapon for scoring under defense.
Turret Mechanics: Bearings & Construction
So you want to build a turret. Let's talk about X-Contact bearings, 3D printed pulleys, and wire management.