[FRC Blog] It’s Happening!

[Hallry]

Posted on the FRC Blog (http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/blog), 4/20/15: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/blog-its-happening

It’s Happening!

Blog Date: Monday, April 20, 2015 - 19:51

I walked through the Championship venue this afternoon to see how things were coming along. This is going to be one big show, for sure. There’s something about seeing it in person that makes it much more real than just seeing it on paper. I can’t wait for the teams to arrive! I hope FIRST has some insurance, because we’re going to be blowing the doors off this place.

http://www.usfirst.org/sites/default/files/uploadedImages/Robotics_Programs/FRC/Game_and_Season__Info/monblogimg.jpg
The view toward the main stage, still under construction. Don’t know where the ‘smudge’ lighting effect came from, maybe an actual smudge?

Oh, and in case you haven’t heard, we won’t be doing robot bag or lock-up form inspections at the event. When you get to your robot, just open you bag right up, no need to wait for an Inspector. We want to get through Inspections as quickly (and, of course, as safely) as we can to ensure everyone is ready for their qualifying matches.

Frank

[saikiranra]

http://i.imgur.com/7drHiqr.gif

[jds2001]

And some pics I took today (practice field assembly). I want to see the robot that can make those stacks (all of them, within the match time! No cheating!)

[ScoutMom700]

Could you post a photo of the pit area. It's our rookie year and I am wondering how they will be laid out vs. regionals. Just want to do last minute planning. Thanks

[BrennanB]

Could you post a photo of the pit area. It's our rookie year and I am wondering how they will be laid out vs. regionals. Just want to do last minute planning. Thanks

Photo of the entire stadium + Pits

http://www.usfirst.org/sites/default/files/uploadedImages/Robotics_Programs/FRC/Resources/cmplayout.png

[jds2001]

Don't have one, sorry and I'm already gone for the day. It looks pretty much the same as at a regional (you have a 10' x 10' space) but it's divided with the metal tubing stuff and curtains like you see in the background pic of the practice field (except not as tall). And there are lots of them :)

I'll try and take a represenative picture tomorrow, but I'll be in the dome all day building competition fields so not sure what opportunity I'll have.

[TDav540]

And some pics I took today (practice field assembly). I want to see the robot that can make those stacks (all of them, within the match time! No cheating!)

I spot a 7 tall stack in there :)

Backpack for scale

[rdlevy1215]

Looking Good - Be there tomorrow night!

[Alan Anderson]

...the metal tubing stuff and curtains...

Its official name is "pipe and drape". The pits are individually delimited with the stuff.

[jimbo493]

Does anyone know when pit locations were announced last year?

[MrForbes]

Larger more detailed drawing of the pit layout here

http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/championship-event

under "Dome/America's Center Layout" which is a .pdf file. No team numbers.

[ScoutMom700]

Thank you for the description. Mostly I was wondering if each pit was seperated from the next or if they kind of ran together with nothing in between each one.

[AllenGregoryIV]

Is the stage in the photo just for the finale? Since that is on the Newton/Hopper side and Einstein is supposed to be Tesla/Arch this year, or did I read something wrong?

[Jacob Bendicksen]

Is the stage in the photo just for the finale? Since that is on the Newton/Hopper side and Einstein is supposed to be Tesla/Arch this year, or did I read something wrong?

I'm pretty sure it's just for the Finale - it would be breathtakingly awkwardly placed otherwise.

[AllenGregoryIV]

I'm pretty sure it's just for the Finale - it would be breathtakingly awkwardly placed otherwise.

It seems like an awful lot of space to be taking up just for a few hours of concert at the end of the event. The suberbowl half time shows move in their stages in like 10 mins right, can't we have more room for playoff pits and queuing?

[Koko Ed]

It seems like an awful lot of space to be taking up just for a few hours of concert at the end of the event. The suberbowl half time shows move in their stages in like 10 mins right, can't we have more room for playoff pits and queuing?

As a lead que I was concerned about having that thing in the middle of the floor killing the flow and taking away space that teams need to que up for matches but FIRST wants it there and I have no say in the matter so I'll have to figure it out as usual.

[MooreteP]

So, here is a thing that happened:
Pioneer Valley Before and After Humans (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49x1nsVtvgE&spfreload=10)

Walking through the pits at a competition this year while the Robots were still asleep.
Pits and a Machine Shop in the arena.
Culminating in action on the field of play.

This is where we are now in anticipation of the CMP happening.

Where's Woodie? Can you find him?

[Bruceb]

So with this pipe and drape setup, do teams bring in their entire pit or just what is needed?
We hang a lot of stuff on our pit frame.
Just wondering what most do.
Thanks

[BrendanB]

So with this pipe and drape setup, do teams bring in their entire pit or just what is needed?
We hang a lot of stuff on our pit frame.
Just wondering what most do.
Thanks

Most teams bring their entire setup if they can but most teams are limited with what they can bring with their travel arrangements.

[IKE]

And some pics I took today (practice field assembly). I want to see the robot that can make those stacks (all of them, within the match time! No cheating!)

Interestingly, I don't think that would be the highest high score for the year.

[brndn]

And some pics I took today (practice field assembly). I want to see the robot that can make those stacks (all of them, within the match time! No cheating!)

I want to see a robot make this fortress:

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/11136086_810152429075742_3219161869294357124_o.jpg

[MooreteP]

Tour of the CMP Pits and Competition Fields before the teams arrived (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbXQjqZsd_w)

The Robots were all in placed in their pits with care, in hopes that on Saturday they would be out there.

[Foster]

Thanks for posting that, it was great!!

And it reinforces my option that Koko Ed is everywhere!