The video here may give you a few ideas on how to work with polycarbonate and how we modified Robot #1 below. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DggCGw0C1c0
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Design Award - Ideas
In the flurry of information coming at you regarding the new FTC season you may not have noticed the announcement of a new award. The Design Award will recognize creativity in both functional and aesthetic design. We've allowed teams to use polycarbonate and aluminum sheet for any purpose - but primary around this objective.
The video here may give you a few ideas on how to work with polycarbonate and how we modified Robot #1 below. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DggCGw0C1c0
The video here may give you a few ideas on how to work with polycarbonate and how we modified Robot #1 below. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DggCGw0C1c0
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Face Off Released
Hopefully you've all seen the new game we announced Saturday night (9/13). If not check out the video at: http://www.usfirst.org/community/ftc/content.aspx?id=962. Several people have posted it on YouTube as well http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvOI3WmYPas (thanks!)
We had a lot of fun developing Face Off. The new kit lets us bounce the robots around, the different surfaces will challenge teams to build some interesting chassis systems. Lengthening autonomous mode a bit (to 30 seconds) will let teams flex their programming muscle.
Registration for the new season has been ahead of plan and there were 11 different kickoff events around the country Saturday. Below is Mannie Lowe with his kickoff in Atlanta.
If teams have video or photos of their new robots that you want to share let us know with an email to ftcteams@usfirst.org. I'll post some of the more interesting ones here. The best source of inspiration for FTC teams have always been other FTC teams!
Ken
We had a lot of fun developing Face Off. The new kit lets us bounce the robots around, the different surfaces will challenge teams to build some interesting chassis systems. Lengthening autonomous mode a bit (to 30 seconds) will let teams flex their programming muscle.
Registration for the new season has been ahead of plan and there were 11 different kickoff events around the country Saturday. Below is Mannie Lowe with his kickoff in Atlanta.
If teams have video or photos of their new robots that you want to share let us know with an email to ftcteams@usfirst.org. I'll post some of the more interesting ones here. The best source of inspiration for FTC teams have always been other FTC teams!
Ken
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
FTC, Tetrix, and Cost
Over the last year or more we've wrestled with quite a bit. On this forum you've read about the reasoning and the benefits of the new FTC kit of parts. Until just recently it's been mostly talk and a preview at the 2007 World Championships.
The new kit is not cheap but it does represent a good deal of value. The decision to go with a competition kit was to avoid the need for teams to buy a base kit, then a host of other parts to compete. Rechargeable batteries, charger, software, and a lot more metal, gears, etc. are all included. The kit is reusable and will hold up well over several years of competition.
Again, these are just words until you get your hands on the kit and get started. The challenge this year will be exciting and the things you can do with the new kit will expand your skills.
All teams who have registered and ordered kits should have them by the end of this week to be ready once the game is announced this Saturday (9/13). The first official tournaments are not until the beginning of December but there's a lot to do before then.
Good luck!
The new kit is not cheap but it does represent a good deal of value. The decision to go with a competition kit was to avoid the need for teams to buy a base kit, then a host of other parts to compete. Rechargeable batteries, charger, software, and a lot more metal, gears, etc. are all included. The kit is reusable and will hold up well over several years of competition.
Again, these are just words until you get your hands on the kit and get started. The challenge this year will be exciting and the things you can do with the new kit will expand your skills.
All teams who have registered and ordered kits should have them by the end of this week to be ready once the game is announced this Saturday (9/13). The first official tournaments are not until the beginning of December but there's a lot to do before then.
Good luck!
Friday, September 5, 2008
Back from Vacation
This summer flew by. The blog went on vacation however the FTC staff, volunteers, and commercial partners were hard at work.
Since May (last post) we've come a long way. The new FTC kits are available and early registrations are strong. We've also been working on game design which will be released Saturday September 13th. We think you'll be pleased with the new challenge.
The blog is now officially back from summer vacation and I'll use this to update teams on items and some thoughts we're kicking around here. I read each of the comments posted and I'll try to address categories of comments as appropriate.
Lot's of exciting things are happening. The new kit, the new challenge, money for teams to join FTC and of course the entire FIRST experience. Welcome back and get ready for a great season.
Ken
Since May (last post) we've come a long way. The new FTC kits are available and early registrations are strong. We've also been working on game design which will be released Saturday September 13th. We think you'll be pleased with the new challenge.
The blog is now officially back from summer vacation and I'll use this to update teams on items and some thoughts we're kicking around here. I read each of the comments posted and I'll try to address categories of comments as appropriate.
Lot's of exciting things are happening. The new kit, the new challenge, money for teams to join FTC and of course the entire FIRST experience. Welcome back and get ready for a great season.
Ken
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