Algae - What Happened?

Shortly after Kickoff, FIRST^® began receiving reports that the Algae that teams had received looked different than the Algae that was detailed in the Game Manual. The Algae was reported to be larger and have a slightly different color and tread pattern. When the Algae was inflated to the size specified in the Game Manual, it appeared underinflated and did not behave the same way the Algae in the Field Tour Videos did. Because of this, we are changing our inflation specification. Details on the changes are reflected in Team Update 02, and more details regarding the issue can be found below.

To begin, I want to thank the people in the community who shared the issues with the Algae game pieces with FIRST and publicly with the rest of the FIRST community. As soon as we received notification, we began working with the manufacturer to understand what happened.

I extend my sincere apologies that we are in this situation.

We learned from the manufacturer that a second mold had been used to make a portion of the Algae. FIRST had approved the samples from a first mold (which produces the Algae with the texture called “crosshatch”, with straight lines), and we did not know that a second mold was being used. The second mold produced the Algae with the texture called “clamshell”, with curved lines. We also learned that there is slight color variation in Algae that may occur from batch to batch and are independent of the pattern.

Figure 1: Crosshatch Algae (left) compared to Clamshell Algae (right)

FIRST ordered 30,000 Algae in our initial production run. These were to be used for the Kits, Playing Fields, and for team sale by AndyMark. Unfortunately, the majority of the Clamshell Algae were sent to the FIRST kitting warehouse and packed into Kits. The Crosshatch Algae were sent to FIRST to be used for Playing Fields. Here is an approximate breakdown of the initial order of Algae.

*AndyMark ordered additional Algae to support additional team sales. We have confirmed with the manufacturer that these are all Crosshatch Algae.

First, we evaluated the option of sending all teams the Crosshatch Algae. The current production lead time for Algae is several weeks, plus transit time, and we determined this to be a nonviable solution.

The FIRST engineering team then tested both versions of the Algae under different inflation specs. The Algae were evaluated on a bounce test, squish test, how they sit on the Reef, and a subjective “feel”. We also evaluated how well the Algae held their properties over time.

After the testing, we settled on the modified inflation spec that is in Team Update 2 as the solution that would help most closely match the team experience of what came in the Kit to what teams can expect at events.

Due to how the shipments were split up, all Algae used at official events will be Crosshatch Algae. We also want to make sure teams are aware that the ball diameter will be measured by the jig in the orientation pictured in the team update.

We want to extend a huge "thank you" to the teams that are working together to share Algae within their community to help give more teams access to both types of Algae.

I apologize again for the stress this has caused our teams