Hello everyone, We're making progress. I think you'll be impressed with what we've accomplished. Here's a short video for you.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Back To Work
After enjoying our win for a couple of days, it's back to work.
This past week there'e been alot of activity at the gym getting the practice robot back together. There's been a few snags but nothing we can't overcome.
Also, Ely High School has lent us their robot to practice with. We spent yesterday, (Saturday) working out the kinks on their machine. It is running and we'll be fine tuning the arm.
I think we've got a solution worked out for controlling the ball. Now it's a matter of getting it mounted on the robot when we get to Atlanta. There won't be much time to make mods up there. New this year, qualifying matches start Thursday afternoon vs. Friday morning.
UPDATE: I started what you see above about a week ago but got sidetracked. Sorry about that.
Rest assured everyone is still working hard to field a competitive robot at The Championship.
Last (for now) but not least, remember we are in fundraising mode. Talk to everyone you know, friends, relatives, friends of friends. We are doing a demo for the Wilton Manors Kiwanis Club on Wednesday in the hopes of snagging a nice donation.
This past week there'e been alot of activity at the gym getting the practice robot back together. There's been a few snags but nothing we can't overcome.
Also, Ely High School has lent us their robot to practice with. We spent yesterday, (Saturday) working out the kinks on their machine. It is running and we'll be fine tuning the arm.
I think we've got a solution worked out for controlling the ball. Now it's a matter of getting it mounted on the robot when we get to Atlanta. There won't be much time to make mods up there. New this year, qualifying matches start Thursday afternoon vs. Friday morning.
UPDATE: I started what you see above about a week ago but got sidetracked. Sorry about that.
Rest assured everyone is still working hard to field a competitive robot at The Championship.
Last (for now) but not least, remember we are in fundraising mode. Talk to everyone you know, friends, relatives, friends of friends. We are doing a demo for the Wilton Manors Kiwanis Club on Wednesday in the hopes of snagging a nice donation.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
The End Game!
Greetings,
Now that it's been a couple of days since our return and we've had time to digest what happend, I want to give you an overview of how our championship run played out.
My last post was a review of our first day at competition. It wasnt' great but we were hanging in there and looking forward to Saturday morning to showcase our capabilities. It wasn't our best effort but we were no worse for the wear. Going into the alliance selections, we were caustiously optomistice of our chances of being picked.
In the first round of selections, there was alot of pairing up amongst the top 8 i.e. 1 picked 2, 3 picked 5, 4 picked 6, and 7 picked 8. Because of this, the 9th through 12th seeded teams moved up into alliance picking slots.
Our best case scenario was to get selected during the second round by one of the top 3 alliances. And guess what, our good friends from Team 86, Team Resistance, sitting at number 3, had faith in us. The alliance of 86, 1612 and 1251 was set.
A quick history lesson: We played with The Ohmers (their nickname) in '06 and went to the semi-finals. We allied with them again in '07 and '08 and won Florida both times. I think this was an omen.
The strategy was to move as many balls as possible to our scoring zone while starving our opponents of balls. It worked to perfection as we breezed through the quarter-finals beating the Stranahan led alliance 11 to 5 and 4 to 2.
The semi's were a bit more interesting, after losing the first match, we took the next 2 and were in the finals.
Ah, The Finals. It's a great feeling to be sitting there, looking back at what we've gone through not only at the competition but since kickoff as well, and have the opportunity to compete for the title.
I suppose it's better to tie than lose, and that's the way our first finals match ended, a 5-5 tie. Still 2 games to go.
The second match again proved our scoring power as we took it 5 - 0. One more to go.
We know how to make it interesting. Although outscoring our opponents 10 - 3 in the match, penalties cost us 5 points making the final score 5 - 3. A little scare but a win non-the less.
Final Thoughts
Everyone knows it takes some luck to win a regional - maybe alot. But it also takes hard work, persistance, and faith in what you're doing.
Many people contributed to our success and made this possible - too many to name.
But, I would like to acknowledge one individual who believes in what we're doing and has provided untold resources from financial support to machining to material.
Of course I'm refering to Paul Fazio and Sonny's Enterprises. Without them, none of what we have accomplised would be possible. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
Now, on to The Championship!
Now that it's been a couple of days since our return and we've had time to digest what happend, I want to give you an overview of how our championship run played out.
My last post was a review of our first day at competition. It wasnt' great but we were hanging in there and looking forward to Saturday morning to showcase our capabilities. It wasn't our best effort but we were no worse for the wear. Going into the alliance selections, we were caustiously optomistice of our chances of being picked.
In the first round of selections, there was alot of pairing up amongst the top 8 i.e. 1 picked 2, 3 picked 5, 4 picked 6, and 7 picked 8. Because of this, the 9th through 12th seeded teams moved up into alliance picking slots.
Our best case scenario was to get selected during the second round by one of the top 3 alliances. And guess what, our good friends from Team 86, Team Resistance, sitting at number 3, had faith in us. The alliance of 86, 1612 and 1251 was set.
A quick history lesson: We played with The Ohmers (their nickname) in '06 and went to the semi-finals. We allied with them again in '07 and '08 and won Florida both times. I think this was an omen.
The strategy was to move as many balls as possible to our scoring zone while starving our opponents of balls. It worked to perfection as we breezed through the quarter-finals beating the Stranahan led alliance 11 to 5 and 4 to 2.
The semi's were a bit more interesting, after losing the first match, we took the next 2 and were in the finals.
Ah, The Finals. It's a great feeling to be sitting there, looking back at what we've gone through not only at the competition but since kickoff as well, and have the opportunity to compete for the title.
I suppose it's better to tie than lose, and that's the way our first finals match ended, a 5-5 tie. Still 2 games to go.
The second match again proved our scoring power as we took it 5 - 0. One more to go.
We know how to make it interesting. Although outscoring our opponents 10 - 3 in the match, penalties cost us 5 points making the final score 5 - 3. A little scare but a win non-the less.
Final Thoughts
Everyone knows it takes some luck to win a regional - maybe alot. But it also takes hard work, persistance, and faith in what you're doing.
Many people contributed to our success and made this possible - too many to name.
But, I would like to acknowledge one individual who believes in what we're doing and has provided untold resources from financial support to machining to material.
Of course I'm refering to Paul Fazio and Sonny's Enterprises. Without them, none of what we have accomplised would be possible. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
Now, on to The Championship!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Competition - First Day
We survived the first day of competition mostly unscathed. Everyone has hard worked very hard and it's paying off.
We got better as the day went on and I'm causously optimistic that we'll make a good showing today.
We hung twice, the kicker is working and the roller is operational. The last piece is autonmouns and with a little luck we'll have that today.
We have 3 matches this morning and it will be interesting. If we live up to our potential, TechTigers could be playing in the eliminations of the Florida Regional for the 6th straight year.
We got better as the day went on and I'm causously optimistic that we'll make a good showing today.
We hung twice, the kicker is working and the roller is operational. The last piece is autonmouns and with a little luck we'll have that today.
We have 3 matches this morning and it will be interesting. If we live up to our potential, TechTigers could be playing in the eliminations of the Florida Regional for the 6th straight year.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Still Working/First Day
Still Working
As I write this I am sitting in front of a projector screen watching the finals of the Kansas City Regional. It's too early to tell how well received Breakaway! will be. My guess is you'll see some high scoring in the later regionals as teams figure out the most effective strategy.
This past week has been a busy one as we work to get the practice robot up and running. We've made some changes to the kicker as early testing revealed a flaw.
Our temporary new home has been a God-send. As I mentioned in my last post, we've set up camp in an empty gym.
First Day
Well, I started the post above with every intention of finishing it but it was not to be. We've since packed up and are now sitting in Orlando and have wrapped up the first day.
It was a long day and everyone worked hard to the robot going. Unfortunately we didn't make it on the field but we're in pretty good shape.
There was an issue with some speed controlers. We had one flame out on us and discoverd 2 other bad ones. Good thing we found those now.
Tomorrow qualification play starts and we're in the third match. Keep your fingers crossed and I'll post an update tomorrow night.
As I write this I am sitting in front of a projector screen watching the finals of the Kansas City Regional. It's too early to tell how well received Breakaway! will be. My guess is you'll see some high scoring in the later regionals as teams figure out the most effective strategy.
This past week has been a busy one as we work to get the practice robot up and running. We've made some changes to the kicker as early testing revealed a flaw.
Our temporary new home has been a God-send. As I mentioned in my last post, we've set up camp in an empty gym.
First Day
Well, I started the post above with every intention of finishing it but it was not to be. We've since packed up and are now sitting in Orlando and have wrapped up the first day.
It was a long day and everyone worked hard to the robot going. Unfortunately we didn't make it on the field but we're in pretty good shape.
There was an issue with some speed controlers. We had one flame out on us and discoverd 2 other bad ones. Good thing we found those now.
Tomorrow qualification play starts and we're in the third match. Keep your fingers crossed and I'll post an update tomorrow night.
Monday, March 1, 2010
The Robot Shipped!
Hello (I know I'm late again),
So much has happened since my last post. The robot shipped, we kind of found a new home, and we're busy getting the practice robot together.
Yes, last Tuesday at 3:03PM FedEx showed up to take the robot away. It was a bit hectic but she was secured in the crate, closed up and sent on her way. (notice my reference to the robot as "she" - I'm an old Navy guy).
After spending 3 weekends at Jonathan Parriera's house working in his garage, we've changed locations to an empty gym Mr. Cosme was able to procure for us. There's lots of room to work and drive the robot around! I want to thank Mr. and Mrs. Parriera for their hospitality as they went above and beyond the call of duty.
Our focus now is to get the practice robot fully assembled, test all systems, find the weak spots, make them better and find our drivers. If you'd like to come by for a peak, the address is 3000 W. Prospect Road, Fort Lauderdale. It's at the intersection of NW 31st Ave and Prospect Road, behind the 7-11.
So much has happened since my last post. The robot shipped, we kind of found a new home, and we're busy getting the practice robot together.
Yes, last Tuesday at 3:03PM FedEx showed up to take the robot away. It was a bit hectic but she was secured in the crate, closed up and sent on her way. (notice my reference to the robot as "she" - I'm an old Navy guy).
After spending 3 weekends at Jonathan Parriera's house working in his garage, we've changed locations to an empty gym Mr. Cosme was able to procure for us. There's lots of room to work and drive the robot around! I want to thank Mr. and Mrs. Parriera for their hospitality as they went above and beyond the call of duty.
Our focus now is to get the practice robot fully assembled, test all systems, find the weak spots, make them better and find our drivers. If you'd like to come by for a peak, the address is 3000 W. Prospect Road, Fort Lauderdale. It's at the intersection of NW 31st Ave and Prospect Road, behind the 7-11.
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