Brazilian invitational - it's official!

[Manoel]

Dear teams,

I've mentioned a couple of times on this forum that Globaltech, the largest Science and Technology event in Latin America, will take place at our hometown on May 17-22, 2005.
What I didn't mention, and I'm pleased to announce now, is that the first FIRST International Invitational will be held at Globaltech, in Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil!
The venue is a modern Convention Center ("the best in Latin America") owned by the State Federation of Industry:

http://www.colegio-provincia.com.br/FIERGS.jpg

You can find some info about it here (http://www.fiergs.org.br/cemp/cexpo/), and clicking "Visita Virtual" you can access a 360° virtual tour. The event layout can be found here (http://www.rbs.com.br/globaltech/pdf/mapa.pdf) (pdf) - the competition will be in the space called "Arena de Atividades", at a central location (and what a great one!)
There's no coming back. It is definitive, and as of now, we have the presence of the six Brazilian teams, plus two awesome teams from the USA, 75 and 555! We'll build a field as close to the official as possible, and will count with the official IFI and Hatch control and scoring system.
This is an invitation to every team on FIRST to attend the event. We understand the date of the event is close and money is short, especially with Nationals this week, but we ask interested teams to get in touch with us so we can work something out. I'm pretty sure we can arrange lodging in our student's houses (or maybe with the other teams from Brazil) for all the teams in need. Our currency is very advantageous for American teams, as you can have a full Big Mac meal for three dollars :P
The major expense will be the air tickets and robot transportation. As 75 and 555 are coming, that's being worked and I'll have more details soon. A month may not be a very long time to fund raise, but there are teams who win a regional and raise enough money to compete in less than a week! ;)
School board permission may be an issue, but 75 and 555 are setting the precedent and you may use it as a persuasion. ;)
Consider this event as a fun endeavour but, most importantly, as a serious attempt to gather enough sponsor attention for a 2006 Brazilian regional, and your team can be a part of it!
Even if you feel your team cannot attend, please pass the word along to team members, as you never know what kind of fundraiser crazy teenagers can come up with when faced with such a noble goal!
More info can be found on http://www.brfirst.org/globaltech/index.php?do=home&lang=en, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Thanks for your time,

Manoel Flores da Cunha

[Pin Man]

I would absolutely love to go to that... But I know it would not be possible :0(

[Jessica Boucher]

So cool!

I wish I could go, but it's so soon and it's during my graduation.

For future reference, what airport do you suggest US teams to fly into?

[Manoel]

So cool!

I wish I could go, but it's so soon and it's during my graduation.

For future reference, what airport do you suggest US teams to fly into?

Yeah, graduation is indeed a bit more important than that ;)
Not sure if I got your question right, but... To get to Brazil, you'll have to go via Sao Paulo (airport code is GRU - major hub, biggest/richest city,...) then take a connecting flight to our hometown (an hour and a half flight). There are some international flights that arrive in Rio de Janeiro, but they're usually more expensive and most do not have daily departures.
As to flying out of USA, Miami is cheaper, but you can get good deals from Chicago or Newark. There are flights leaving Dallas, but we never went to a regional near that area so I wouldn't know the prices. If you don't mind going 747 ( :yikes: ), Japan Airlines fly from Tokyo to Sao Paulo, Brazil stopping in Los Angeles. They have to stop there anyway so you can get really good deals when the plane doesn't leave full from Japan - and we all know how hard it is to pack a 747. :D
With coast to coast flight in the US from 200 dollars, it might be cheaper to fly to another city that has better rates to Brazil - if you don't matter spending some extra quality hours on an airplane

[tiffany34990]

this is really cool news!! i wish our team could go but it's like second to last week of school. i'm suppose to go to graduation practice. i hope you all have tons of fun. it sounds like it'll be great. be sure to post photos and tell us how it goes which i'm sure of course it'll be full of non-stop fun.

[Guilherme]

Please visit daily http://www.brfirst.org/globaltech for updated information about the event.

Globaltech will be a huge science, technology and innovation fair. If you would like to help us advertise the event, fell free to use any kind of image/link from the website. If you need any kind of material, such as presentations, email me at globaltech@brfirst.org .

If your team wishes to come to Brazil, and you have questions about lodging/flights... I'll be more than happy to assist you anyway I can.

[Manoel]

Globaltech was featured on a double page story on the Sunday newspaper, check the full story and how much emphasis they put on FIRST:

http://www.colegio-provincia.com.br/Close-up.jpg

Click here (http://www.colegio-provincia.com.br/Full_story.jpg) for the full story - large file!
The story reads fifty thousand people are expected to attend the event! Come to Brazil and make it 50,001! ;)

[Chris Fultz]

Manoel,

You're not playing fair.
I barely made it thru English, and you expect me to read Portuguese?
(I hope that it is Portuguese or I just made a big time "fo-paa". :) )

Seriously, is it possible to get an English version of the story?

[Manoel]

Manoel,

You're not playing fair.
I barely made it thru English, and you expect me to read Portuguese?
(I hope that it is Portuguese or I just made a big time "fo-paa". :) )

Seriously, is it possible to get an English version of the story?

Well, here's a really disgusting translation by Altavista's Babelfish:

"One of the areas of the knowledge instigante for curious, the robotics, has significant presence in the Globaltech. Two robots gauchos represent the State in competitions in the central enclosure for bullfighting of the fair. The projects Buddy VI, of the College Province of Are Peter, and TechTchê, of the Senai Mecatrônica, goes to show why they make pretty in international competitions. Both had participated of 15ª edition of the competition of robots of the First foundation (and Recognition Will be Inspiration of Science and Technology), in U.S.A.. Buddy VI took the vice-championship, while the TechTchê got the sixth rank and the prize of better initial team. The administrative director of the Province of Is Peter, Guillermo Peretti, not only counts that the investment in robotics - the college participated of the competition for the sixth time - brings shares for all the pupils, the involved ones with the project. - Since 1ª series of Basic Ensino we have disciplines it of initiation to the robotics. It is a subject that inspires and awakes the interest for accurate sciences. The teeny ones live asking when they go to make its robots - Peretti counts. What it goes to roll in the Globaltech First Robotics Competition the competition defies the teams and its people who orientates to decide a common problem in a daily pay-definitive period, in which all the participants use the same standardized parts and they follow the same rules. Teamses of the United States and Brazil will participate. First Lego League Is a national program for students of 10 the 15 years that the practical and interactive robotics in a esportiva atmosphere combines ambientada. The teams must construct an independent robot total capable to complete the some missions. In the Globaltech, regional South with the subject In the Limits will be carried through an official competition, where the teamses will find forms to help carrying people of necessities special. Soccer of Robots With robots of Vienna, São Paulo and the UFRGS, is a competition of advanced technology of robots in a confined space. The researchers dispute with mobile systems of robotics. The objective is to understand scientific concepts better and the technological development."

See - you were probably better off in Portuguese than in Engrish.
But I propose a deal: I'll provide you with a great translation of the article, printed in fine silky Brazilian paper, and I'll hand deliver it to you when you arrive at the airport with some nice Cyber Blue lads. Sounds fair, doesn't it? ;)
Is May 16 good for you? :p

[Guilherme]

I translated the text. It's available at http://www.brfirst.org/globaltech. I'm posting it here. Please let me know if you find any error or inappropriate/wrong terms. I'm still reviewing it.

"The most instigating area of knowledge for the curious, robotics, have significant presence at Globaltech. Two gaucho (1) robots represent the state in the central arena. The projects Buddy IV, from Província de São Pedro High School, and the TechTchê, from Senai Mecatronics, will show the reason why they are so good at the competitions.

Both robots participated at the 15th edition of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), in USA. Buddy IV ranked second place, while the TechTchê ranked sixth and won the Rookie All-Star award. The administrative principal, Guilherme Peretti, says that the investment in robotics - the school participated in six FRC events - makes dividends not only to the ones involved with the project, but to all students.

"Since first grade we have a discipline called Introduction to Robotics. It's a subject that inspires all and raises interest for the exact sciences. The little ones always asks me when they will do their own robots." Quotes Peretti.

What will happen at Globaltech.

FIRST ROBOTICS COMPETITION
The competition challenges the teams and their mentors to solve a problem in a predetermined time, in which all participants use the same standarized parts and follow the same rules. Teams from United States of America and Brazil will be attending the event.

FIRST LEGO LEAGUE
It's a national program for students from 10 to 15 years old, that combines practical and environment-interactive robotics in a sportive atmosphere. The teams must build a robot fully autonomous capable of doing several missions.
In Globaltech, there'll be a official Southern Regional competition, using the theme No Limits. The teams will have to find ways to help physically challenged people.

SOCCER OF ROBOTS
Featuring robots from Vienna, Sao Paulo and UFRGS (2), it's a competition of high technology robots in a confined space. The researchers disputes using mobile robotics systems. The purpose is to better understand the scientific concepts and the technological development.

References:
(1) Gaucho: The way they call the people from Rio Grande do Sul, the Southern state in Brazil. Nickname. It's pronounced GÁ Ú SHO. If you want to know where our state is, please check this link (http://www.brfirst.org/globaltech/cutenews/data/upimages/mapa_guia.gif) our visit http://www.brfirst.org/globaltech and click "directions".
(2) UFRGS: Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul.

[Manoel]

I translated the text. It's available at http://www.brfirst.org/globaltech. I'm posting it here. Please let me know if you find any error or inappropriate/wrong terms. I'm still reviewing it.


Balbinot,

Good translation! One thing to notice, though... Buddy IV is gathering dust in our room with a busted drill motor, and all those bins he so much loved to stack are now filled with parts and raw materials :P
This year robot is Brazilian Buddy VI, ready to rumble at Globaltech! ;)

[Daniel Brim]

You know... if this goes well it might be a good demonstration to FIRST on why a Brazilian regional might not be such a bad idea.

Good luck!

-Daniel

[Chris Fultz]

But I propose a deal: I'll provide you with a great translation of the article, printed in fine silky Brazilian paper, and I'll hand deliver it to you when you arrive at the airport with some nice Cyber Blue lads. Sounds fair, doesn't it? ;)
Is May 16 good for you? :p

Oh, how I wish we could be there. Maybe I need to call the Rolls-Royce Brazil office and see if I can create some urgent business on the 15th?

It soulds like an awesome event, and hopefully will help create even more support and teams in Brazil.

Good Luck -

[tribotec_ca88]

It's going to be an incredible event...!!! :D

If all goes well, expect to see team 1382 there!! (our robot still hasn't arrived from this year's competition in NJ yet...)
Even if we can't make it, I'm sure FIRST teams will be greatly represented by all of those that do participate...

Best of luck!

[Liz Smith]

I'll be there! My team is so happy and excited to be a part of this event. This is going to be a lot of fun. :)

[Daniel_H]

It will be great!
I am counting the days for this event!
It will definitely launch FIRST in Brazil. After that it will be easier to get new teams here :] !

[Liz Smith]

Everyone is so excited to go on this trip. Since word has gotten out at our school that we're going all the way to Brazil, a lot of people have come up to me asking me questions about robotics. People who were pretty uninterested in the team before are now asking me what this "robotics thing" is all about. After telling them that we're not making human-like robot clones of ourselves... they seem pretty interested in what we do. Even in a Board of Ed. meeting in our town that the team was invited to attend, when the people there heard we were going to Brazil, they were impressed. This has been a great way for us to attract peoples attention and get them to see a little about how great robotics and FIRST really is.

[av11d]

I'm ecstatic to be attending this invitational! I just received my passport today and will be getting a VISA at the Brazilian consulate ASAP. I've also finally received word that our robot crate is now in Florida and ready to be shipped to Brazil.

I've been researching Porto Allegre and it looks really nice! Any suggestions on Brazilian food or other places to check out in Brazil?

Thanks!

Andrew Duch

[MASherry]

We are definitely getting authentic brazillian rodizio when were down there!!! this trip is going to be awesome, we hope all who can attend do, we want this to be an amzing FIRST experience

[BandChick]

This is a great accomplishment, guys. I really wish I could travel down there to be a part of this groundbreaking experience. Unfortunately, funds won't allow me to do so, but I will be there in spirit (unless I can convince 555 to take me ;)). I hope there's tons of photos from the event!

[MASherry]

This is a great accomplishment, guys. I really wish I could travel down there to be a part of this groundbreaking experience. Unfortunately, funds won't allow me to do so, but I will be there in spirit (unless I can convince 555 to take me ;)). I hope there's tons of photos from the event!

LOL...i wish we could take more people but unfortunately we could only secure enough funds to take our drive team and one of our mentors...we hope all who can, will come!!! I am bringing my video camera and im sure we'll have 100's of pix, i will defintely post while im down there if i can.

[tribotec_ca88]

Everyone is so excited to go on this trip. Since word has gotten out at our school that we're going all the way to Brazil, a lot of people have come up to me asking me questions about robotics. People who were pretty uninterested in the team before are now asking me what this "robotics thing" is all about. After telling them that we're not making human-like robot clones of ourselves... they seem pretty interested in what we do. Even in a Board of Ed. meeting in our town that the team was invited to attend, when the people there heard we were going to Brazil, they were impressed. This has been a great way for us to attract peoples attention and get them to see a little about how great robotics and FIRST really is.

Absolutely!!...Meeting and learning how to work with peers with different backgrounds and cultures is one of the many rewarding experiences FIRST has to offer!!! I can't imagine a better way to bring teams together...I'm truly sorry for those that aren't able to participate this year, you're really missing out on such an incredible event...so I guess I'd suggest start saving up for 2006!! :D
And for those that are, I'm really excited and looking forward to meeting you...!!! I guarantee you'll love it here... and if there's any way we can help, let us know!

Best of luck!...

[Leslie]

Wow i wish i could go!
That would be so much fun, but grad's right around the corner :(
oh, well, still...enjoy your trip guys!

[tribotec_ca88]

Tomorrow, yay!!! Can't wait!!
Just a few images:

(Picture originally posted by Manoel on this thread:
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=38126 )

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/pics/bin/111621096549.jpg

Compare it to a drawing of its layout:

http://www.brfirst.org/globaltech/cutenews/data/upimages/ArenaAtividadesPB.jpg

[Kit Gerhart]

You know... if this goes well it might be a good demonstration to FIRST on why a Brazilian regional might not be such a bad idea.

Good luck!

-Daniel
It would be fun to go to a regional in Brazil. It would be a little complicated, with everyone needing passports and visas, but it would be a great experience for those who have never been out of North America.

[Guilherme]

Greetings,

Pictures of the event can be found at: http://www.brfirst.org/globaltech/gallery

TEAMS: Please send ALL your pictures to gbalbinot@gmail.com (max 10mb per message).

We need your help to advertise FIRST Robotics in Brazil!

Thank You.