FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

The official press release about the participants in the 2013 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade just came out with a paragraph about FIRST:

http://mustacheagency.com/MNR/MacysP...deoverview.pdf

"Each Thanksgiving morning, as part of the ribbon cutting ceremony, a special group is invited
to join Amy Kule to lead the Parade down the streets of Manhattan. Often these groups
feature exceptional individuals who are making a contribution to the city or nation. This year,
students from FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), along with
specially created robots designed by the selected students will help kick-off the march. FIRST
is a nationwide organization the aims to inspire young people to be science and technology
leaders by building skills through a mentor-based program."

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

This is really amazing. Any word on which teams will be there? I'm guessing 694 might be part of it.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

Waiting on an official press release from FIRST. Don't want to steal anyone's thunder, but it is teams representing FIRST, not themselves really.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

Now by "lead" do you mean actually driving or on a float?

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

Driving. No float. Daunting task for robots designed to play 2 minute matches.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

Now THAT is "Making it loud".

One quick question, though:
Does "specially created robots" imply that they have new robots made just for this event, or are they using their competition robots? My guess is that it's just referring to FRC robots in a way that makes more sense to the general public, but the wording made me think that they are "specially created" for this event.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

"Specially created or modified" would be more accurate, but not very press friendly. Some are more "modified" than others.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

It appears that the robots will simply be cutting the ribbon, rather than actually leading the parade. I may be wrong, though, since I have yet to actually see the beginning of the parade. Darned build season, making me have to stock up on sleep a month in advance. :cool:

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

They will be driving the entire parade route. Not sure if ribbon is cut and they take off or they fall into the parade somewhere else. So "leading" may not be entirely accurate, but at least "starting."

Actually the release says lead: "...a special group is invited to join Amy Kule to lead the Parade down the streets of Manhattan."

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

The parade is something that ends up on TV every year, but I've never really "watched" it... now I have a reason to watch at least part of it!

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

So Much Fun! Thanks to everyone behind the scenes and representing FIRST for making this happen. I'll be watching from the comfort of my couch.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

neato! Now I finally have an excuse to watch the Parade

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

This is GREAT. This year will be the first time I watched the parade since my kids were young. (not going to say how many years that has been)

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

OK, so do I watch for robots in the Macy's parade, or watch for my daughter in the Detroit parade? Decisions, decisions.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

Be sure and tell your daughter that you saw her in the parade.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

Here's a hypothetical situation: suppose your team was marching in the parade. What would you do to get the crowds eye for FIRST?

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

Wear Hawaiian Shirts in the cold of November :D

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

Marching with the tubes from '11 might be viable from cameras and you could make the logo pretty easy. Its also pretty unique and FIRST specific.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

If robots are really going to be driving the route, I'd suggest modifying the robot to use a 40 Ah car battery instead of a standard FIRST 17 Ah battery. That's a long route and changing batteries every 10 minutes would really slow things down.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

I'd also suggest that you try to use 5GHz radio and bring a tether cable as backup.

Greg McKaskle

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

^Along with the above suggestions, I would also suggest being ready to expect the unexpected...Having been in the parade (as a balloon handler, for the Spongebob balloon ;)) before (my mom was a balloon captain for 15 years until receiving her Rollie Award after numerous years of being a balloon handler), there were many times that the parade stopped completely for a for a couple of minutes as well as many times that we were literally running for a few blocks to catch up to those ahead of us. This is due to commercial breaks (it is, after all, a parade-for-TV), and the fact that acts/floats/balloons must get to the Macy's building at just the right time to air. Most people don't know, but the Broadway Show Performers that you see on TV in the beginning of the broadcast (~1st hour) don't actually march in the parade, they are just at Herald Square performing until the parade finally reaches there.

Also - be sure you're wheels will be able to handle the 6-mile trek on a road! If I remember correctly, it took us somewhere between 1.5/2 hours to complete the parade from the time we started marching to the time we put the balloon down.

Huge congratulations and best of luck to the teams in the parade! Do we know yet which ones they are?


As someone from the NYC area - There's a parade in Detroit too!?! :yikes:

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

You mean Michigan?...

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

If they are marching with a robot - T-shirt shooter? With special edition FIRST - Macy Day Parade shirts? Banners? Balloons? Lots of LEDs - on marching shirts.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

:yikes: Thanks, it was an early morning :rolleyes:

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

...As someone from the Thumb of Michigan I second this question... :o

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

What an AWESOME bit of news! :D :)

This is really spectacular, and mega-kudos to all those unsung heroes who made this happen!

Outstanding!

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

Yes, a car battery is going to work a lot better than the ones we normally use. The real big change besides modifications is changing the controls so that you use just the controller and don't need the joystick. It'd be a pain to make a carrying support for the joystick. With all you need to do being drive, cut the ribbon, and perhaps only one other function?, you can use just the controller for it! A thought to keep in mind for whoever's going. Congrats to those who are and to FIRSTas a whole! Way to make it loud! :D

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

I am glad that someone was finally able to get this going! Our team applied for the parade in 2010 and were rejected. It is great that people in FIRST were able to work with Macy's to make it happen now.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

More info....


http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20131107006532/en

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

Confetti works! keeping confetti out of the robot works even better.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

No Canadians allowed, eh?

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

Congrats to all teams representing the FIRST community! I wonder how teams were selected for this honor.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

4 of the 6 past world champions and last year's championship chairman's award winner. The other two world champions and the chairman's award winner from two seasons ago are all from Canada.

A fantastic group of five teams to represent FIRST!

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

I'd wager 2012-2013 Champs + Champs CA - Canadiens.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

Which isn't really fair. Yes, Thanksgiving is an American holiday, (I know Canada's was last month, I'm specifically speaking about the reason for this parade.) but how cool would it have been to be representing FIRST as more than just the US? Look how awesome it is that we have teams from all over the world competing. In fact, some of our most recent World Champions and Hall of Fame teams are Canadian. Makes zero sense to not honor them there alongside their American counterparts.

All that aside, this is going to be a really incredible opportunity for FIRST -- I can't wait to tune in!

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

Agreed. Very bittersweet.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

So just hypothetically, Wayne? :rolleyes: ;)

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

Until the press releases were sent out, yes. ;-]

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

They were invited, but showed up a couple months early. ;)

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

I heard they got stuck at the border. :rolleyes:

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

Quote: "Texas Torque’s robot, “SONIC,” will cut the ribbon to signal the official start of the parade. Following the ribbon cutting, the other teams’ robots will shoot confetti along the parade route. Students will then drive their 12v battery-operated, 150-pound robots down the entire 2.5 mile stretch, ending at Macy’s Herald Square."

I will definitely tune in to NBC to watch the parade for the first time.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/robots...185200604.html

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

This makes me so happy to see FIRST finally being recognized like it should be!!

Maybe the championships will be on TV next season too!

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

Just for fun, here is the Texas Torque 2013 robot Sonic ready for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The lights on the back of the robot are cycling as candy cane stripes.

Scott Rippetoe
FRC Team 1477

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

Those scissors are beautiful.

I think you need to file the tip though, too pointy to pass inspection. :rolleyes:

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

Very cool! I see you have your giant scissors ready to cut the ribbon as well!
What changes did you have to make in order to drive the entire parade route?

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

We went with softer rubber wheels and increased the diameter from 4 to 5 inches for better ground clearance. The floor intake was removed because it had runners that rode right on top of the carpet. A floor pan was added to protect the electronics from debris and water.

Additional lights were added to the robot to create a candy cane effect on the back cable carriers. The main robot battery runs the lights and a marine battery is powering the robot the entire 2.5 miles of the route.

All of the electronics have been enclosed in polycarbonate boxes and a polycarbonate rain shield can be quickly added to provide cover for the entire robot in case of inclement weather.

Scott Rippetoe
Texas Torque

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

Great, now I have a reason to watch the Parade. I had been wondering how you were gonna cut the ribbon, did you have to add a new mechanism, or are using the elevator or something to open the scissors?

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

From the picture Mr. Rippetoe posted on the previous page, it looks to be a new mechanism on a separate solenoid.

Also, it is nice to see show bumpers again.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

We are using a new attachment to make the scissors open and close but they run off the same pneumatic solenoid that raises and lowers our hanger hooks. Flow control keeps the scissors from chomping too quickly.

Mr. Rip

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

Scott, what exactly is the sponsor side panel made out of?

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

The side panels were made buy Sign's Now, the company that donated the graphics for our trailer. They are made from the same material used for the signs people post in their yard that remind us their child plays football, baseball, band, etc. I believe it is called corrugated plastic. The cost was very reasonable and I think they really dress up the robot.

Mr. Rip

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

SPAM's 2013 robot, Chomper, and his all black confetti cannons are ready to go!

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

This is awesome!

Leading the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with the Purdue Marching Band was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I hope the members from these teams can say the same soon!

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

Here's what S.P.A.M.'s robot, Chomper is looking like!! It was so great to see it done, and I'm so happy I'll get to be with him in the parade and driving him! :D

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

16 and 1477 both shared this video from NBC Today on their Facebook pages earlier today, though I'm kinda peeved that the lady called FIRST 'a national contest.' The brief mention begins at 1:25.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

MyCentralJersey.com posted an article about FIRST teams in the parade today: http://www.mycentraljersey.com/artic...nclick_check=1

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

As much as I like that the teams are able to do this, I suspect that any TV coverage on FIRST or the robots, will be just a brief.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

Maybe we need to play up the "will the robots make it all the way to the end?" card to build up some drama. Will the wheels make it through the whole trip? These robots have seen lots of action this season, it's a miracle they are still running at all! The standard battery is no match for the 2.5 miles in 45 minutes.

Mr. Rip

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

I sense backup batteries...

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

1477 for one said they are using a longer life battery earlier in the thread.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

The FIRST takeover continues! Tune into Fox & Friends tomorrow morning between 7-8 AM EST to see FIRST teams Texas Torque and The Holy Cows LIVE talking about FIRST, their robots, and their important role in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

When we did our Memorial Day Parades back in May (they were each a little less than 1.5 miles IIRC), we used a Y-cable to greatly quicken battery changes, so that our robot only had to be stopped for <20 seconds during a change:

(Taken from this thread)

You can see it in action here; I think the first battery change happens at about 16:53.

Just a suggestion if the marching teams are interested, although I'll bet the FRC World Champions and Hall of Fame team already have a solution worked out. :). Can't wait to see 1538 and 1477 on Fox and Friends tomorrow morning, and then all 5 teams leading the parade on Thursday!

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

My apologies for the double post, but 1477 and 1538 are live on Fox and Friends NOW!

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

It doesn't look like they have it listed on their website... anyone have a link so I can watch it online? :)

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

Someone recorded it and posted it on Youtube here, in case anyone else missed it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha1Z...ature=youtu.be.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

What an awesome experience for these 5 great teams!
Its about the only thing that you could sacrifice for not being at home with family/friends this Thanksgiving Holiday.
At least, lucky for me I get to relax with loved ones WHILE watching the Macy's Day Parade.:)

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

Anyone local want to go into see the parade tomorrow morning? My aunt just handed me two tickets to the uptown grandstands at the opening of the parade. (between 76th and 71st street)

If you are a nice robot couple, I might give you both tickets and just bring my lawnchair and sit closer to the end of the route so I am closer to the train.

My mom, dad, and 2 aunts are clown pirates tomorrow with one of the floats so I am going in to see them anyway.

Hey, we've got two members who came with SPAM who are interested in the tickets! :) Message me please so I can give you their contact info?

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

So, has anybody figured out what kind of impact the weather is going to have on these robots tomorrow?

As long as water doesn't get to the Electric board, the connections on it, things should be fine. For spam, ours is covered by plexi and there's sealant on all lighting connections.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

Let's hope the possible downpour doesn't rain on their parade.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

It already has and it didn't stop them :)
Should be clear, cold and gusty tomorrow for the parade itself.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

I'm kinda hoping for those high winds, so the balloons can't fly -- but only so the robots get to be the major only parade interest :p At least it looks like no rain; nothing worse than it raining on your parade. Too bad you guys didn't bring the robots from the water game year. Don't forget to say Hi to Mrs Walker when you're lining up for the parade. I'll stop now

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

The beginning of the parade. Waiting to start and showing the robot to the clowns.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

Due to the winds, the balloons WILL fly, but just won't be let up quite so high.

And with that, the parade's about to begin!!

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

Anybody have a live link? Not seeing the parade on TV yet.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

It just happened on TV (NBC).

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

It's on NBC (Channel 4 in the NYC area), I'll look online for a live stream.

The ribbon has been cut by 1477 and the parade is marching!

Anyone else think of a certain team when the Macy's Great American Marching Band opened up with "Can't Hold Us"? :p ;)

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

Awesome, well guess I'll try and go back to bed... Hopefully it'll be online to watch at some point.

WestCoastProblems...

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

Haha I think everyone in FRC was thinking of 118 :)

Hoping to see more of the robots!

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

It looks like it is not airing live but on a delay per time zone. My on-screen TV guide doesn't show the parade starting here in Kansas City until 9 am Central, instead of 8 am.

I could have slept a little longer. Oh well- more time to prep for lunch.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

Yeah, I got up and checked the guide and got confused myself. Oh well. More time to watch the Today show and see if I can get a glimpse of any of the robots or teams in the background.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

Well, I'm hoping that the FIRST teams/robots will be highlighted again when they reach the end of the parade at Macy's Herald Square; that's where all of the television stations are. The television channels feature Broadway shows and other performers who don't march for about the first hour of the parade showing on TV until the parade actually makes it there, so the FIRST teams should reach Macy's Square between 9:45 and 10:00 EST.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

Here is apicture of the FRC robot cutting the ribbon at the parade. Found this on twitter, I am sure the poster won't mind me re-posting it here.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

This! When they reach Macy's I'm hoping to see more #omgrobots.

Remember to "Make it Loud" on social media if you can! Let's make today the day that FIRST trends...

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

The parade starts at 9am local time in all time zones.

Those of us in the Central Time Zone will see it at the top of the hour. I've got my card set to capture the start of the broadcast.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

It was awesome, I'm so thankful to be a part of this world for 13 years with amazing kids.

Can someone turn the ribbon cutting into a GIF?
so I can be blasted when I get mass texts today? :p :p

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

I'm going to try. I don't know how it will turn out.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

Where did you all see this? I've been watching since 9 and haven't seen any robots... they opened the parade with the Snoopy balloon.

I'm watching on CBS though... here NBC is broadcasting Detroit's parade...:(

I couldnt see the Macy's one anywhere else.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

I forget the exact order now, but the robots were on for a very brief time (seemed like <1 minute).

PS. I just saw them again (a few seconds), so there should be scattered appearances (currently 10:00 ET).

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

CBS's coverage is generally inferior because NBC has the better camera angles as the parade's official broadcaster.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

NBC had the opening with robots. Al Roker was the host at the starting line. I'm sure the opening will be up on the web soon enough. It was very quick. You could see 25's robots on the left, then showed 1477 cutting the ribbon to start the parade.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

They just showed the robots pass through Herald Square, 180's tall robot was front and center!

That's why only NBC can officially call it the "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade."

Snoopy was the first balloon, he just passed through Herald Square as well, behind the robots.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

The robots finally made it the Macy's. I finally saw the bots close up instead of from a long way away.
Looks like at least one had to be pushed.
Congrats to all. Now go get warm and enjoy your Thanksgiving day.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

I hope someone recorded the NBC broadcast cause the CBS one didn't show squat (Might as well have been watching a never ending infomercial). I really wish I got an NBC station where I am... >_>

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

Does anyone have a recording of the beginning of the parade? I was watching the wrong station and missed it... :(

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

They had a banner in front of the teams that stated," First Teams With Robots."

Sort of right, I guess.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

Its direct.

And to everyone asking for a video, I think my parents DVR'd it, so I'll check on that soon and possibly get a video....only issue us if NBC takes it down.

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

At least FIRST was capitalized (actually it was all caps, FIRST TEAMS WITH ROBOTS)

Re: FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 

Here it is for those that missed it. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the video.