Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

Wow. 12 days until the greatest regional in California! Who's going? What's it going to be like? How excited are YOU?!

256 will be attending, loud and proud! We will be bringing our robot LeROY (pronounced Luh-Roy). We also hope to be bringing with us the team from the hit technology show "Tech Now", to promote FIRST.

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

Team 100 is ready for it. We really improved in Sacramento, and our alliance with 1868 and 751 almost beat the winning alliance in our second quarterfinals match. Unfortunately the bridge unbalanced as the match ended, but the match was still close. I'm sure 971 and 254 will dominate as usual, but 254 certainly set the bar quite high last year. There's also 5 rookie teams and it'll be interesting to see how they do after the success of all the rookies at Sacramento.

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

Talking to the Space Cookies at Davis, I learned that one of the reasons that they were having trouble was many of their mentors from NASA were let go, and no longer could work full time with the team. Considering the Cheesy Poofs and the Space Cookies share a lab (and possible mentors), 254 could have a tougher year.*

(*I have not seen 254 play, or even their robot, so this is purely conjecture.)

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

No matter what, both teams always make excellent robots. I never got to see one of 1868's robots up close on the webstream, but from what I saw it was simple software problem with their shooter that needed to be fixed (not even, just some values needed to be changed). Their robot was great, and 254's, likewise, will probably be great. I know already 254 has had a tough year. NASA has been cutting a lot of funds, so they'll be missing that (should not happen to a world champ team :mad: ). However, I still think they will have a great season. They have robot building down, and if anything will continue to succeed with their student-run program.

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

What are you talking about?

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

On the FIRST website, it shows less sponsors than you used to have, and at a WRRF workshop in December, Mc kenna (sorry if I spelled it wrong) said that 254 was loosing some sponsors during the workshops.

If this is wrong, please tell me. I'm just going off of what I've seen and heard.

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

It is true that the NASA mentors were laid off, but we are all still here, only we are volunteers instead of paid employees. We are dedicated to Teams 254 and 1868 with or without a paycheck.

It was very obvious that the Space Cookies were having a difficult time at Davis. We had a lot of unforeseen electrical problems and a new drive team that had no drive practice. Both students and mentors will be working hard this next week to fix any robot issues and prepare for SVR.

I want to thank everyone who stepped in to help us at Davis, especially the mentors from team 971. I'm not sure we would have made it without your help!

-Krystine

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

Dona and I will be there for our first time. Looking forward to visiting San Jose and checking out this wonderful regional we have been hearing about.

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

After hearing on the Davis thread that Davis is a particularly "defensive" regional, I was wondering how SVR is regarded by many. In my opinion, it it a very strong regional, but what type of play does it tend to see in qualification and eliminations? What types of team tend to win (and be selected)?

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

Me too, Richard! I will be helping with inspections, and I'm looking forward to being at this great regional for the first time.

Andy B.

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

Hi Andy, Richard

If you guys haven't made plans the 971 Team would love to show you around. We can arrange tours of Google, NASA , local manufacturing facilities.

Dinner at Santana Row???

Feel free to email me

Roy

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

It is Mc Kenna for the record:) . Also neither the poofs or the space cookies are down sponsor(s) in fact both have added new ones this year. However what I think you are referring to might be that NASA's funding has been very publicly cut across the board which of course has an affect on all its programs.

Also Andy if you want to check out the NASA ames lab we would love to have you

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

SVR is the powerhouse regional of CA (until CVR, maybe....). Not only because of it's majority of teams being top-tier, but because of the heavy understandings of the game. Each year, SVR sees some of the greatest strategy and designs for the game that are seen nowhere else. Very strategic play is seen in some matches, and in others it ranges from all out defense/offense to a complete surprise! Robots in elimiation rounds are generally those who have found a specific niche in the game strategy and are very successful at it. We've seen feeder robots, uber scoring robots, and sometimes robots who de-score their opponents with mad skill. The winning alliance (from what I remember) usually consists of 2 offensive teams, and a defensive/feeding team, since the offense usually seen at SVR is top notch, with teams like 971, 254, 1538, 604, etc.

On another note: Andy Baker and Richard Sisk coming to my home regional! :yikes: This is going to be the best regional ever! I can't wait to have my robot inspected by THE Andy Baker! :D Andy, Richard, if I bring something, will you two autograph it for me?

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

That may have been it. Sorry for misspelling your name. I know too many Mc Kennas, Makennas, Mackenas, etc, that I often mix up names.

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

Its more than alright I got over people messing up my name at about age 6 :p

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

So, how do you propose to do that this year? Build a robot to reach in through the opponent's basket and pull out the basketballs? Just so long as it doesn't violate G08 and touch anything outside of the court boundaries, it is fine...
Edit: might be tricky getting under the 14" appendage rule. Hovercraft, anyone?

The winning alliance also usually consists of 254 :p

We are looking forward to SVR, after we have made some more improvements to our robot since Sacramento.

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

The de-scoring was a few years ago, but I suppose there may be a few ways to do this (IRI?)

You forgot something. The winning alliance usually consists of 971 as well. ;)
Maybe 256 can be in on that too this year. ;) We'll have to see in a few days.

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

10 more days.

Team 597 cant wait.

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

You forgot something. The winning alliance usually consists of 971 as well. ;)
[/quote]

Unfortunately the winning alliance didn't consist of 971 last year :P I feel like that loss was due to 254's insanely good robot and all the problem's we had with our Banebots gearboxes last year. At least 1622 is able to say the only team that ever eliminated us last year was 254!

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

Change that to a has always been, unless you count the controversy of 2008.

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

254 didn't win in 2007.

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

Sorry I just found out. But they do build a fantastic bot every year, including this. It will be fun competing against them.

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

The agenda is up.

Does anyone know whats the "Special Performance - Entertainment" at 1PM Saturday?

1 more week!

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

Don't quote me, but I heard it's a drum performance. Should be interesting.

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

Anyone know if the matches are going to be recorded this year, and who's doing it? I know there were some problems last year with some regionals not getting recorded.

4 days!

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

I believe Madstream will be taking care of the recordings this year.

On another note I'm really looking forward to coming down to SVR on Saturday! Should be a blast!

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

Are they really? I know Eugene posted in another thread about how to set up a cheap way to record matches, but I'm not sure if the MadStream crew will post recordings of the stream later on themselves...

Either way, I'm looking forward to watching SVR through MadStream since I can't be at the event itself. Should be an extremely competitive regional as usual, looking forward to it!

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

I'm pretty sure. I read the list of teams recording events and 604 was listed as covering SVR.

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

604 will be webcasting and recording. We recommend you use MadStream to watch it.

MadStream is just a webcast aggregator and viewer. They don't provide the streams nor record them.


And for this event (and others), you can directly link to the stream by using this url: http://madstream.team1323.com/?sj.

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

My biggest hope for this year is that the alliance selections don't turn into crap like last year's. It was very un-graciously un-professional.

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

You mean that you want an exciting, but fun and professional alliance selection? :rolleyes:

In addition to high scores, close matches and a great performance by all?

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

I'm curious, what happened?

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

A team tried to decline being an alliance captain - and were then told that they couldn't decline a captaincy if they wanted to continue playing. Eventually, they picked us - but only because we cheered loudly.

There were also, IIRC, a bunch of declines (not that declining is a bad thing.)

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

The Agency is looking forward to the creation of a temporary base of operations in San Jose on Thursday. Agents look forward to expressing impartial benevolence to all.

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

Read more about the 2011 SVR alliance selection here...

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...electio n+SVR

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

ONE MORE DAY!

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

Of course. It's not that I mind how our team did, it's just that 4 declines and then us cheering so we would get picked when one captain was absolutely stuck was a little unsettling, to say the least. I don't know who on our team started that cheering, but it sure was embarrassing.

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

Well let's hope 100 gets picked for their skills this year. :) You sure have them.

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

The kids thought is was pretty cool to have Andy Baker sign off on our inspection. We were 4 ounces over 120 lbs and he made us take a air tank off. :rolleyes:

Lot's of fine tuning those shooters going on. Looks like it's going to be a barn buster.

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

IIRC, you had about 20 of those plastic air tanks on your bot, I think you'll be ok :p

It was cool meeting Andy at the Israel Regional, awesome guy. Really wish I could be there watch the action and see everyone, this will be my first time missing SVR in 9 years.

Good luck today and tomorrow teams, make the west coast proud!

-Mike

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

One of the best parts of yesterday was meeting Andy Baker. He even signed my shirt! https://twitter.com/#!/Team256/statu...477888/photo/1

Can't wait for qualifications today!

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

Don't forget about Steve Wozniak being one of the judges! It's awesome having these people here.

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

Today was just AWESOME! I can't wait for tomorrow! 2 more matches, alliance selections, and the possibility to play in the eliminations!

If any team needs a robot that can effectively play defense, feed balls over to the alliance, balance well, score 90% of the time in the middle hoops, have a working 2 ball autonomous in the top hoop, feed balls to hoopers in teleop and autonomous, and pick up any ball in comes in contact with, 256 is going to be open! :D

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

What a fantastic regional. I got to shake hands with Sergey Brin! His Dad was a judge and I had a chance to talk to him as well. The finals came down to the number 1 seed edging out the number 2 seed. There were a number of super teams including 254, 971, 1868 and the Warrior Borgs 3256? It is interesting that the mentors for 254, 971 and 1868 are all FIRST Alumni. Can you say SVR Dynasty? I knew you could.

PS. Long term FIRST supporter Joe Hering is ailing. Joe was instrumental in providing NASA support since 1999. If you ever watched a webcast of a FIRST event it was because Joe put his whole soul into supporting all FIRST teams, and getting the word out. Please say a prayer or send good thoughts his way.

PPS. Mark Leon needs new jokes - Someone should start a Mark needs new Jokes thread on Chief Delphi.

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

I want to make a shoutout to Team Tesla 4086. I was super impressed with their performance at the Silicon Valley Regional. As the only rookie team to get picked for eliminations and making a strong showing with their autonomous mode and balancing, and topping it all off with the Rookie All-Star Award, it was a pretty amazing regional for them! I'm proud to have mentored you guys! :)

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

CONGRATULATIONS to 254, 971, and 766 for winning the Silicon Valley Regional!

254 was a great offensive machine, 971 was top seed, and THE BEST robot at the event, and 766 played some great defense!

Also, CONGRATULATIONS to 751, 1868, and 3256 for being regional finalists!

751 provided the perfect defense for the alliance, 1868 became a scoring beast, running undefeated in all of their qualification matches, and 3256 was also a great scorer.

Congratulations to 604 for winning the Regional Chairman's award. You guys deserve it. Congrats to 4086 for the Rookie All Star Award, and 840 for Engineering Inspiration.


It was a great regional! See you all at Cal Games (or in Madera)!

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

We had a really tough time with our software during quals, but by the time we had it working, we were in that unfortunate bad-first-pick, desirable-second-pick zone, landing us in a faceoff with the 1st alliance. We tried to keep the scores low, and we gave them a run for their money in match 2, but clearly their offense was not to be stopped.

It was really tough to not even shoot as well as we did in week 2, but hopefully we'll be ready for champs (after we unbend the frame and fix everything we broke after going all out on defense against 1st seed).

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

I'd like to add my congratulations to the regional champions, 254, 971, and 766! It was great meeting and competing with these and other legendary teams. The level of competition at SVR was astonishing, and we are happy to have survived it! We hope to be back in the future!

Special thanks to 3021's excellent alliance partners, teams 670 and 649!

And finally, congratulations to 4086, Team Tesla, on their Rookie All-Star award! Their performance and team spirit was outstanding!

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

I was an inspector for 4086 and was impressed with their robot. They had to overcome a shorted-out AndyMark gear motor, that was hard to track down. Fortunately they got a spare from another team - I hope that they got a GP award, but I don't know who they were.

This was the best run regional I've ever seen. We finished up qualifiers almost an hour early. I got to shake hands with both Steve Wozniak and Sergey Brin! I even had a short conversation with Micheal Brin, who was a judge at SVR. I asked him if he ever worried about his son, and he told me: "Of course I worry about him, he's my child." I've been involved with FIRST for 13 years. I am seeing inspirational young people who were students, now coming back as mentors. 254, 1868 and 971 are among several teams now led by alumni. So I don't have to worry about the future of FIRST.

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

A quick round of praise for 192's great showing in the quarter finals. We too were in that position of doomed to being picked by the last alliances, which seems to me to keep many strong teams from getting a much earned blue banner. Your defense was amazing, blocking or misaligning shot after shot from 254 and 971. Thank you for such an inspirational performance.

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

Does anyone know where we can find the matches recorded?

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

I do believe that was us.

We're currently working on that. Justin.tv banned us for playing copyrighted music so we had to quickly switch to Ustream, so the match recordings are split.

Thanks to everyone who made this an amazing regional. We had a great time playing with 2073 and 192 in quarters. And congrats to 3256 for making it so close once again in finals!

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

Congratulations to all the teams! We saw some excellent robots and performances out on the field. I must say, it was a pleasant surprise for us to win Engineering Inspiration after a year away from FIRST due to mentor issues.

Also, thanks to teams 852 and 846 for being great alliance partners (in addition to having team numbers 6 digits apart)! We had a close first eliminations match. I wish we could have worked on that hybrid coop more (shooting balls into 846's ball container, who then fired into the hoops), but we did manage to score a ball in that first match.

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

Had an amazing time at SVR, both inspecting robots on Thursday and watching from the Match Observer judging table Fri and Sat. What an amazing group of volunteers I had the chance to work with and the teams were just amazing.

Can't wait to come back next year.

Re: Silicon Valley regional 2012
 

Anyone know when the matches are going to be posted? And where?