Robowranglers Bring Home the Gold!!!!

Robowranglers are World Co-Champions!!!!!

2008-04-19T18:15:00.007-05:00

We Win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Racksolutions Inc! Thanks L3 Integrated Systems! Thanks Greenville Highschool! Thanks Simbots! Thanks Thunderchickens! Way to go Robowranglers!!!!

Einstein Finals Match 1 - Win - 104 to 54

2008-04-19T17:52:00.004-05:00

32 to 32 in hybrid mode. Realtime scoring shows we won. But there will probably be penalties. 4 penalties against our opponents 1 against us. One win away from winning it all!!!!!!!!!!

Sem-Final 3 - Win 140 to 114

2008-04-19T17:30:00.002-05:00

Penalties evened out with 20 each against both alliances. We are in the FINALS!!!!

Sem-Final 2 - Win 114 to 82

2008-04-19T16:53:00.004-05:00

40 to 28 in our favor during autonomous. Red outscored us in drivermode but had 4 penalties that took away 40 of their points. So we survive to run another round.

Semi-Final 1 - Loss - 134 to 118

2008-04-19T15:55:00.002-05:00

Thunderchickens went down early in the match. The Robowranglers and Simbots went it alone. Two penalties against the opposing alliance. No penalties against us.

New Regionals Announced for Next Year

2008-04-19T15:32:00.002-05:00

Washington DC, Dallas and New Zealand. Dallas will be awesome... We should be able to have a lot of our fans get to see the robot competition up close for the very first time.

Einstein Matchups

2008-04-19T14:45:00.002-05:00

We (Gallileo champions) will be playing against Newton. If we win that Semi we will be playing the winner of the Archimedes-Curie matchup. Take a breather... We will be having the Gallileo awards next. I'll try to let you know when the Einstein matches are coming up.

Simbots-Thunderchickens-Robowranglers going to Einstein

2008-04-19T14:33:00.004-05:00

I don't know what the score was... Alot to alot less. It was an awesome demonstration of scoring capability... Will we be co-champions of the world???!!!!

Final Number 1 Win 114 to 58.

2008-04-19T14:17:00.004-05:00

One win away from going to Einstien... the ultimate in Robot Glory. Team 148 plays a big role keeping those track balls away from the opposing alliance. Simbots are pure shooting wizards. Thunderchickens added 3 lines in auton and a cap at the end. This is one powerful alliance. Let's hope we can stay healthy.

There are four divisions of about 80 teams each. The divisions are Gallileo, Archimedes, Curie and Newton. The winning three team alliance from each division will compete in a Semi-Final and Final on a field called Einstein. One or maybe two matches to go.

Start of Finals

2008-04-19T14:04:00.004-05:00

Robowranglers are on the field this time... It's not an octagon it's a nonagon. 56 to 32 in auton. Now under driver control. Thunderchickens looked broke but came back with a bonus cap at the end for 12 points. There were penalties... stay tuned.

Semi 2 - Win. Wow It was a Wild One... On to the Finals

2008-04-19T13:28:00.008-05:00

Lots of penalties on the opposing alliance. Tumbleweed didn't play. The Thunderchickens gripper was broken so they couldn't score. Simbots were tipped over so they couldn't score. Going without the Robowranglers the score ended up at 50-0. Hopefully the strategy of fixing "Tumbleweed" during the 2nd match will pay off in the Finals. Also hoping that the simbots were not damaged in the fall and the Thunderchickens will be able to repair their damage.

There was 90 penalty points against the opposing alliance. Ene of their robots received the red card and was disqualified. There were 20 penalty points on our alliance.

Good news is that with all the controversy we have more time for repairs. Also the other semi-final is going to three matches so we have even more time for repairs.

Robowranglers Broken

2008-04-19T13:25:00.002-05:00

The team has opted to go without the robowranglers and try to get it fixed. So it's 2 on 3. It might go to three matches.

Win in Semi-Final 1

2008-04-19T13:10:00.003-05:00

Penalty free play from the number one alliance triple penalties on the opposing alliance helped propel the team to their first semi win 110 to 64. Tumbleweed contributed two lines of autonomous but was surprisingly quiet on defense. Perhaps this is a play to draw penalties from the opposing teams.

Big Win and We Move on to the Semi-Finals

2008-04-19T12:36:00.003-05:00

The opposing team tried the unorthodox strategy of holding on to one of our track balls for the entire match. This is only a 10 point penalty but they also received a yellow card. So it looks like you would only want to try this one time as the next time you tried it you would be disqualified. They probably felt like it was worth it since they would be eliminated anyway if they lost. The final score 78-48.

Big Win in Quarter Final One

2008-04-19T12:14:00.003-05:00

Two awsome hurdlers, the Simbots and the Thunderchickens scored over and over with what looked like a one two punch. Tumbleweed the Robowranglers robot contributed two lines of autonomous and one interference penalty along with a lot of good defense holding the opposing alliance to 76 points.

Match 89

2008-04-19T10:01:00.005-05:00

In our last qualification match we got one line in hybrid mode. In teleoperated mode, we made a lap or two, but focused mainly on defense. The red alliance fought hard but fell behind. The end score was 48-94. Our current ranking is 53, but it will jump around in between the last few qualification matches. Now it's our turn to just sit and wait for the top 8 to pick their alliances.

Match 74

2008-04-19T08:23:00.004-05:00

We won the first match of the day, 48 to 58. During hybrid we started counter-clockwise but got bumped and crossed two lines in the wrong direction. We also got 7 laps and are currently ranked 46th. Match 89 is scheduled to be at 9:27, eastern time, and is our last qualifying match.

Round 60

2008-04-18T15:47:00.003-05:00

We lost again in our last match of the day, 34-8. This puts us in 61st place with a 2-3 record. We were also experiencing some computer and webcam problems during the match. Our first match Saturday morning will be around 9 o'clock eastern time.

Round 47

2008-04-18T14:27:00.002-05:00

Unfortunately we lost our fourth match of the day, 88-20. New ranking is 39th. Our fifth and final match for Friday will be after 4:30 eastern time.

Round 34

2008-04-18T12:57:00.002-05:00

First webcast by Matt was a success! :-) We won 54-16 with teams 364 and 980 in our third match of the day. With this win, we have moved up to 17th place! Our next match should be just after 3 o'clock, eastern time.

Round 22

2008-04-18T11:47:00.003-05:00

We won our second match of the day, 80-68. We're at our lunch break right now, but matches should start up again pretty soon. We are currently ranked at 33. Before our last match we were 64. We are hoping that the numbers just keep climbing up, up, and up.

More posts later.
:)

Round 10

2008-04-18T10:31:00.001-05:00

We lost, 48 to 62, in our first round. Next round is around 1:00 Eastern time.

Qualifications

2008-04-18T07:35:00.002-05:00

If you want to watch today's matches NASA will be broadcasting them on the web.
Go to http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/robotics/first/atlanta-finals-2008

Live Video of Practice Day at the Atlanta Championship

2008-04-17T12:27:00.000-05:00

Today is practice. Team 148 is on Gallileo.

http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/robotics/first/atlanta-finals-2008/

Bringing Home the Silver!!!

2008-03-29T15:27:00.009-05:00

After battling through 47 teams to make it to the Final elimination round and an exciting finish the Robowranglers came up short in the best two out three Finals with a scores of 74 to 68 and 82 to 68, to bring home the Silver Medal.

The team also received the "Delphi Driving Tomorrow's Technology Award." Our chief engineer John V-Neun of Rack Solutions Inc. also recieved the prestigious "Woody Flowers Award" for excellence in mentorship.

Many thanks to all our teachers, mentors, students and sponsors Rack Solutions Inc, L3 Communications and Greenville High School for helping make this a successful Regional competition.

Now it's on to the National Championship in Atlanta Georgia!
Come back April 17-19 for more live video and inside information from the competition.

Finals Match 1

2008-03-29T15:17:00.002-05:00

The number one alliance squeaked out a win over Tumbleweed 74 to 68 and lead the best two of three, 1-0.

Team 148 Moves to the Finals!!!

2008-03-29T14:11:00.011-05:00

Semi Finals...
Alliance 1 vs Alliance 5 - Alliance 1 Wins 2-0
Alliance 2 vs Alliance 3 - Alliance 2 Wins 2-1

Finals Coming Up...
Alliance 1 vs Alliance 2 (Team 148, 118 and 49)

Quarter Finals - Round 7

2008-03-29T13:41:00.002-05:00

Red Alliance (Teams 148, 49, & 118)---->90 WINNER!!!
-1 penalty
We got 5 lines in Auton!!!

Blue Alliance (Teams 2242, 1421, & 1912)----> 36
-2 penalties

Quarter Finals - Round Six

2008-03-29T13:33:00.002-05:00

Red Alliance (Teams 2182, 230, & 538)---->18
-4 penalties

Blue Alliance (Teams 79, 1902, & 832)---->98 Winner
-1 penalty
+24 Bonus Points

Quarter Finals - Round Five

2008-03-29T13:30:00.002-05:00

Red Alliance (Teams 440, 1477, & 16)---->86 Winner
-2 penalties

Blue Alliance (Teams 1379, 1927, & 364)---->58

Quarter Finals - Round Four

2008-03-29T13:26:00.001-05:00

Red Alliance (Teams 555, 34, & ?)---->58 Winner

Blue Alliance (Teams 1279, 499, & 945)---->52

Quarter Finals - Round Three

2008-03-29T13:22:00.001-05:00

Red Alliance (Teams 148, 118, & 49)---->64 Winner!!!!!!!

Blue Alliance (Teams 1912, 2242, & 1421)---->58

Quarter Finals - Round Two

2008-03-29T13:13:00.002-05:00

Red Alliance (Teams 2192, 536, & 230)---->82

Blue Alliance (Teams 1902, 79, & 832)---->90 Winner

Quarter Finals - Round One

2008-03-29T13:05:00.002-05:00

Red Alliance (Teams 440, 16, & 1477)---->68 Winner
-4 penalties

Blue Alliance (Teams 1927, 1379, & 364)---->58

Alliances For Elimination Rounds

2008-03-29T11:29:00.007-05:00

Alliance 1 - 1477, 16, 440
Alliance 2 - 148, 118, 49
Alliance 3 - 34, 555, 2080
Alliance 4 - 2182, 230, 538
Alliance 5 - 1902, 79, 832
Alliance 6 - 499, 1279, 945
Alliance 7 - 2242, 1912, 1421
Alliance 8 - 1379, 364, 1927

Bracket 1
1 vs 8 - 4 vs 5
Bracket 2
2 vs 7 - 3 vs 6

Match 62

2008-03-29T10:29:00.003-05:00

After a very long streak of nothing but wins, the mighty reign of 148 has finally come to an end....at least for one round the final score was 32-24 a penalty on both teams, but our auton is working better than it has all week. We scored three lines in auton and spent most of driver doing amazing blocking and defense. I honeslty belive the defense brought their score lower than it should've been. So stay tune and we'll have another blog in a New York minute.

Match 55

2008-03-29T09:53:00.003-05:00

Another win! 44 to 0, 364 did a lot of hurdles for our alliance and we played a lot of defense so we only got 4 or 5 laps, but we knocked both balls off and played some major defense.

auton fixed...

2008-03-29T08:43:00.003-05:00

The pit thinks that they have the auton fixed. They think the problem was that the puncher raised the center of gravity on the robot, so when it would speed up it would pop a wheelie and throw us into the wall, causing us to lose valueable points which is why all of our matches have been so close.

High Honors at the Award Ceremony

2008-03-28T16:55:00.003-05:00

Our lead engineer John V-Neun was selected for the Woody Flowers Award. This is a very high honor and I believe the first ever for the Robowranglers.

The team was also selected for the Delphi Driving Tomorrow's Technology Award.

Finished the Day with a Perfect Record! 7-0!!!

2008-03-28T15:04:00.004-05:00

Match 40 was by far the closest match today! We started off rough with only one line in auton but almost balanced it out with 6 laps in driver control, nothing real special or unique about what Tumbleweed did, but with one penaty against the Red Alliance, we came out 48-44.

Match 49 was another nail biter. We started out in a big hole after autonomous with only 4 point to 20 on the opposing team. But with us scoring laps and two excellent ball hurdlers on our team we went on for a comeback win of 74-54. The Robowranglers are now 7-0!!!

This leaves us ranked number two behind one other undefeated team who received a higher RP score. Which is used as a tie breaker.

Match 31

2008-03-28T14:07:00.002-05:00

In auton Tumbleweed made two lines and would have completed more but traffic jams kept him held up, in Driver Controlled we made eight laps and very smoothly knocked off an opposing ball. the final score...60-24 and we are now 5-0!!!

Match 26

2008-03-28T13:40:00.002-05:00

In auton we made it across only 1 line before detouring into the wall, but 148 recovered nicely with the driver controlled mode. We made 6 laps and knocked off two of the blue balls!! We finished the match with no penalties and came out on top with a twelve point bonus from one of our alliance partners. 64 to....well we really don't remember what the other alliance's score was. Currently 4-0!!!

Match 18

2008-03-28T13:12:00.002-05:00

We didn't cross any lines in auton mode...and don't know why. We got 8 laps and sat on the line but didn't cross, almost making 9 laps. We knocked off the blue alliance's ball and we received NO penalties!!! The blue alliance received 3 penalties putting us in the lead with a score of 36 to 16!

lunch

2008-03-28T12:16:00.000-05:00

eating lunch write everything later.

Results of Match 10/Video

2008-03-28T11:43:00.003-05:00

During match 10, we crossed one line in autonomous mode and robot stopped. We drove 6 laps, but got a 10 point penalty for blocking a hurdling robot. Penalties on both alliances were even but the overall score was 34 to 18! we are now 2-0!

New Info

2008-03-28T10:58:00.002-05:00

The Competition is 40 minutes behind schedule.
We play in match 10 not 11.

The results are in...

2008-03-28T10:41:00.001-05:00

Robowranglers 40....everyone else 0. Hooray us!!!

2008-03-28T10:35:00.002-05:00

Go!! Two lines in auton mode...would have been more but we got blocked. While knocking a ball, we dislodged the end of our knocking device. No worries, it has been reattached. There were penalities (we "broke the plane" which apparently means the robot happened to be headed backwards momentarily) but that's OK.

We have been announced!

2008-03-28T10:31:00.000-05:00

Team 148 just made it onto the field!

It's Official...

2008-03-28T10:19:00.002-05:00

The Robot has left the pit and is making its way over to the queue area.

Opening ceremonies

2008-03-28T09:26:00.001-05:00

The sounds of the marching band can mean only one thing...Opening Ceremonies have begun!!!

Opening Ceremonies

2008-03-28T08:52:00.001-05:00

Opening ceremonies will start with a robot parade. This is New Orleans after all. Opening ceremonies at 9:00am and matches to start at 9:45.

Ready, Get Set.....

2008-03-28T08:47:00.005-05:00

The Tumbleweed is polished and ready to go...All of the last minute repairs and tweaks have been completed. The fans are in the stands and anxiously awaiting some action.

Team 148 will be competing in the following rounds:

Round Time
4 9:51AM
10 10:33
18 11:29
26 1:28PM
31 2:03
40 3:06
49 4:09

55 Saturday 9:49AM
62 10:30

Let the games begin....

Practice Rounds Update

2008-03-27T15:52:00.002-05:00

The robot seems to be performing well so far with only a few minor setbacks. We have gone through two bevel gears and thrown a drive chain, but the pit crew remains diligent. We'll keep our fingers crossed on future runs (but we all know it's John V's bevel gear dance that really keeps them intact). With several successful runs, we have managed to get four lines in autonomous mode. The new ball puncher has also proven very effective.

Practice Rounds Today

2008-03-27T10:16:00.001-05:00

Practice rounds started at 10:00am and continue until 5:00pm with a break for lunch from 12:00-1:00pm.

Live webcast at http://www.shsrobotics.org/webcast.asx

Road Trip

2008-03-26T08:16:00.003-05:00

Boxes and boxes of school supplies were loaded on the bus this morning along with students, luggage, tools and spare parts for the robot. The school supplies are a donation organized by the team for a New Orleans Elementary school.

Packing up for New Orleans

2008-03-25T21:36:00.001-05:00

Leaving early Wed morning.

Video - All the rest of the Team 148 matches

2008-03-05T11:49:00.001-06:00

Match 5 http://thebluealliance.net/tbatv/match.php?matchid=4968

Match 6 http://thebluealliance.net/tbatv/match.php?matchid=4973

Match 7 http://thebluealliance.net/tbatv/match.php?matchid=4980

Match 8 http://thebluealliance.net/tbatv/match.php?matchid=5233

Match 9 http://thebluealliance.net/tbatv/match.php?matchid=5264

Match 10 http://thebluealliance.net/tbatv/match.php?matchid=5283

Quarter Final 1 http://thebluealliance.net/tbatv/match.php?matchid=5312

Quarter Final 2 http://thebluealliance.net/tbatv/match.php?matchid=5329

Semi Final 1 http://thebluealliance.net/tbatv/match.php?matchid=5347

Semi Final 2 http://thebluealliance.net/tbatv/match.php?matchid=5356

Final 1 http://thebluealliance.net/tbatv/match.php?matchid=5361

Final 2 http://thebluealliance.net/tbatv/match.php?matchid=5366

The First 4 qualification matches from St. Louis

2008-03-04T12:57:00.000-06:00

Match 1 http://thebluealliance.net/tbatv/match.php?matchid=4937

Match 2 http://thebluealliance.net/tbatv/match.php?matchid=4942

Match 3 http://thebluealliance.net/tbatv/match.php?matchid=4950

Match 4 http://thebluealliance.net/tbatv/match.php?matchid=4960

More teachers join our Drive

2008-03-03T19:45:00.004-06:00

The Greenville High School teachers and staff are joining in our effort and are really helping us meet our goals.
Mrs. Cindy Ballew and her BCIS students are creating original bookmarks and notepads for us to give to the New Orleans students. Joining in the school supply drive, Mrs. Riccilli and her students are gathering items for us to take to New Orleans. Mrs. Betty Adams, school secretary, extraordinary, called this afternoon and she was off to do some shopping at the dollar store, her list was long and she was just checking to make sure she was on the right track ! As we learn of more organizations and groups we will keep the blog updated. It's going to be Christmas in March when we arrive in New Orleans.

GHS Robotics is Sponsoring a New Orleans Elementary School

2008-03-03T11:29:00.007-06:00

When we head to New Orleans the last week of March, we will be taking school supplies to a local Elementary School. They have just opened this year and are needing daily supplies. We have been in contact with the principal and here is there wish list. Since there are 750 students in the school, we are trying to take 750 of each item.

Boxes of Crayons
Dry Erase Markers
Dry Erase Erasers
Gel Pens

Prizes for the Positive Behavior Box : they try to have enough items on hand so that if a student gets this honor each day, then each day they get a prize.
According to the principal, the Positive Behavior Box has had the greatest impact on getting the students back into the mind set of attending school and being involved with their school.
We have already had a fantastic response from GHS math teacher Racheal Driggers and GHS English teacher Janis Martin as they have their students involved in the campaign.
We have also heard from several local churches, Wesley United Methodist and Ridgecrest Baptist Church as they join in our effort.

Let us know how you can help by contacting us at popev@greenvilleisd.com

Thanks in Advance : The GHS Robowranglers

WE Need YOU to help us reach our Goal

2008-03-03T11:28:00.001-06:00

School Supply Drive for New Orleans

2008-03-03T11:28:00.000-06:00

These Team members are happy and dumbfounded. One fan though, has to check the replay before he believes it.

2008-03-03T11:12:00.001-06:00

Part of This Man's Brain is Inside Our Robot

2008-03-03T10:56:00.000-06:00

This is John Hodapp our lead programing mentor, responsible for an incredible number of autonomous mode points.

Chicken Wranglers

2008-03-03T10:45:00.000-06:00

A couple cute Robowranglers and the mascots from the Thunderchickens.

The Chicken Dance Video in Honor of Mrs. Pope

2008-03-03T09:17:00.003-06:00

Final - Match 2 - Win - 78 to 70 - TOTAL SWEEP!!!

2008-03-01T15:31:00.016-06:00

We went 10-0 through qualifications and seeded number one but it would have been for nothing if our partners hadn't turned up the heat during the Elimination rounds to carry us the rest of the way 6-0 through the elimination rounds to become co-champions.

Thanks to the Thunderchickens, Team 217 from Sterling Heights, Michigan
http://www.thunderchickens.org/
Thanks to the Rat Pack, Team 830 from Ann Arbor, Michigan
http://www.ratpackrobotics.org/
You are both great teams!

Final - Match 1 - Win - 112 to 20

2008-03-01T15:15:00.005-06:00

It doesn't get better than this. I'm going to pass out now.

The Re-match is On...

2008-03-01T15:04:00.003-06:00

Teams 1444 and 45 have won their semi-final. We are rubbing our hands together with an evil grin and a maniacal laugh. Go teams...

Semi Final Match 2 - Win - 106 to 98

2008-03-01T14:44:00.006-06:00

To the finals Baby! To busy cheering to count human laps but we scored 5 lines on autopilot.

The other side of the Semi-Finals - possible rematch in the works

2008-03-01T14:31:00.003-06:00

I don't want to get ahead of myself but alliance 1 - 1444 - 45 won their first semi-final match. 1444-45 were on the alliance that beat us and the Thunderchickens in the finals last year. It is possible that a rematch could take place 148-217 vs 1444-45. This would be a great grudge match if it happens.

Semi Final Match 1 - Win - 102 to 92

2008-03-01T14:16:00.003-06:00

We are playing against the alliance of 2044 - 525 - 2062, who kept it close by capping two balls right at the end for 24 points. The Weed scored 5 lines in autonomous for 20 of 28 points. The other team scored 28 points in autonomous as well. Our drivers added 8 laps for 16 more points of the score. You can't win the eliminations on your own. Thanks Thunderchickens and Rat Pack!!!

Remaining Alliances in the Semi-Finals

2008-03-01T14:09:00.002-06:00

148 - 830 - 217
2062 - 2044 - 525
1 - 1444 - 45
1094 - 494 - 1985

Quarter Final Match 2 - Win - 98 to 58 - On to the Semis

2008-03-01T13:35:00.004-06:00

This nail biter included our teammate the Thunderchickens getting their arm stuck for a full 20 seconds but they got loose and went on to score a lot of points. The T-weed added 2 lines of auton and 9 laps for 22 points.

Quarter Final Match 1 - Win - 68 to 62

2008-03-01T13:10:00.003-06:00

We scored 2 lines of autonomous and 8 driver laps. Eliminations are best 2 out of 3.

Robowrangles Seed Number 1

2008-03-01T12:56:00.002-06:00

The Robowranglers secured the number 1 seed giving them the overall first pick in the draft. We used that pick on the Thunderchickens. We used our second pick on the Ratpack. The first quarter final round starts now!!!

A Mighty Alliance is Formed!

2008-03-01T12:33:00.007-06:00

Match 10 - WIN - 68 to 10 - UNDEFEATED in Quals!!!

2008-03-01T11:45:00.004-06:00

5 lines scored by the TumblerWeed, 9 laps by the humans. Currently are seeded number 1 in the draft. This could change based on the outcome of the remaining matches. If we finish seeded number one then we will get the first pick in the draft. Hopefully a RoboWrangler, ThunderChicken reunion!!

Match 9 - WIN - 62 to 56 - A Photo Finish...

2008-03-01T10:49:00.006-06:00

Listen in to the excitement this time...

The Robowrangler alliance barely won this match with one of our alliance robots breaking down during the match and our other teammate without the ability to hurdle. We scored 4 autonomous lines for 16 points and 9 laps in driver mode for 18. Our opponents had two robots that could hurdle. One robot from the opposing alliance at the last second knocked off our capped ball then failed to cap. The other robot frem the opposing alliance then threw a ball across the wall and it scored just before the buzzer. Definitely the most exciting match we have had so far. More to come...

Victory cheer....

Match 8 - WIN - 74 to 24 - Human Lap Record

2008-03-01T09:49:00.003-06:00

The humans are fighting back with 10 laps for 20 points during driver mode. The Tumbler still added 8 points by crossing 2 lines under software control.

Saturday Schedule

2008-03-01T08:24:00.002-06:00

Match number 8 for the Robowranglers will start at 9:51am - CST. There are about 18 total qualification rounds left. Alliance selection will take place before lunch. After lunch elimination rounds begin.

Rockwell Automation Innovation in Control Award Presentation

2008-02-29T17:14:00.003-06:00

Excerpt from the award presentation...

"If it went on the highway it would be ticketed for speed. Lift the hood for a clean design all powered by the ferocious six pack tucked neatly underneath....

Team 148 Selected for the Rockwell Automation Innovation in Control Award

2008-02-29T17:06:00.001-06:00

This award celebrates an innovatiove control system or application of control components to provide unique machine functions.

Match 7 - WIN - 64 to 32 - Tumbleweed ends the first day of Quals UNDEFEATED!!!!

2008-02-29T15:58:00.001-06:00

The Weed scored 3 lines in auton, the drivers added 8 laps for a total of 28 points for Team 148's contribution to our alliance.

Dave Lavery - Chief of Solar System Exploration at NASA pays a visit to the Team 148 Pit

2008-02-29T15:43:00.001-06:00

Dave Lavery is the one in the blue Hawiian shirt. He is Chief of Solar System Exploration at NASA. This is what Dave had to say about our robot a few days ago...

To repeat my comments to JVN when he showed me the pictures last night - this thing is absolutely beautiful. Team 148 did not just set the bar higher, they have completely redefined the region of sky where the bar is located. I was impressed, excited, and jealous all at once. I want to see this thing run, and watch it play the game. But I really, really want to have two hours alone in a small room with it, to poke and prod and learn everything I can about what they did, and how they did it (if you think it is nice on the outside, just wait until you see how it looks on the inside!). Tumbleweed is a great example to show that robots can be functional, well designed, and artistic all at the same time.

Ten years ago omnidirectional drive systems were virtually unheard of within the FIRST competitions. But after a few excellent initial examples, many teams got inspired and said "I want to do that too!" But today, omnidirectional drives appear at virtually every competition. Today, there are a very small number of FRC teams that consistently turn out work of this quality. But I truly hope that all teams can look at the work of the Robowranglers and get inspired - and that this becomes the next standard that most of us try to achieve.

Excellent job Robowranglers - you have shown that robots and art DO go together!

-dave

6th Match - Win 68 to 18 - Give the drivers their due!!!

2008-02-29T15:14:00.001-06:00

Here is the glamour job of Robotics competition. The girls want them and the guys want to be them.

Drivers scored 7 laps and Tumbleweed added 2 lines on it's own for 22 points to our alliance score.

5th Match - Win 68 to 10 - Robomentum!!!

2008-02-29T14:44:00.001-06:00

Tumbleweed scored 3 lines on it's own in this match for 12 points. Humans drove for 7 laps adding 14. One of our alliance members added a rare capped ball at the end of the match for 12 points. Two matches to go. Thanks to Cody for the update.

4th Match - Win 74 to 14 - Big Big Win

2008-02-29T13:55:00.000-06:00

During this match the autonomous code on board the robot drove a record 5 lines for 20 points. The drivers added another 9 laps for 18 points. Three more matches left today.

What's in store for the rest of the day...

2008-02-29T13:22:00.000-06:00

Monty Wineinger reports that our driver team and Tumbleweed's ability to weave through traffic is exceptional. We should be a good complement to any alliance. They believe they have the battery issue fixed so it shouldn't be a problem again. John Hodapp says everything is going smooooooth! We have 4 more matches today and even though we have three straight wins things can go south in a hurry so stay awake.

Interview with Adam Reppond

2008-02-29T13:02:00.000-06:00

Adam describes how the first half of the day went and how the robot is holding up physically.

You can't score after the buzzer

2008-02-29T12:09:00.001-06:00

In past years score was taken after robots came to rest. This year no points can be made after the clock has reached zero. So coasting across the line after the buzzer doesn't count.

More Scouts at Work

2008-02-29T11:57:00.001-06:00

Scouts at Work

2008-02-29T11:46:00.000-06:00

Picking an alliance is the most critical element of winning the elimination rounds on Saturday. Scouting other teams is one of the toughest jobs of the season.

Amanda an Iphone Junkie???

2008-02-29T11:38:00.001-06:00

Believe me, I understand!

3rd Match Win 38 - 20 Excitement Runs High

2008-02-29T11:29:00.001-06:00

Team 148 crossed 3 lines in autonomous for 12 points and 7 laps in driver mode for an additional 14 points. Missed an 8th lap at the buzzer. I think this is a bit controversial. Hopefully we will discuss this with the refs

Autonomous Performance

2008-02-29T10:55:00.001-06:00

According to John Hodapp the autonomous mod is working great - had neck to neck run with partner works from multiple start positions.

2nd match Win 36 to 30

2008-02-29T10:46:00.000-06:00

We did five laps but lost a battery cable. This one was close.

1st match Win 70 - 30

2008-02-29T10:45:00.000-06:00

We did 7 laps in this match.

Picture from start of Qualification Rounds

2008-02-29T10:20:00.000-06:00

Our first match is number 3. Photo - Cody Fields cellphone.