What's in the BOX?
 

This was in the agenda for the remote kick-off I'm attending. What do you think are in those 12" cubes?

12:00 –1:00 Pick up kits (Engineering Machine Shop – directions will be given at the meeting. Note that kit pick-up requires the signature of your team leader or delegate and that your team must have specified for your kit be delivered at the kickoff meeting. Kits will include two fiberglass totes approximately 15” x 24” x 14” high, one box 5”x5”x38”, and one 12” cube. Rookies and second year teams will get a second 12” cube. Please save room in your transportation vehicle to take all of this home with you!

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

Game piece? New battery? The electronics box that I'm building? :confused:

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

I'm thinking game piece. They described the others as totes or box, but this as a "cube"???? But, why would rookie or second year teams get two?

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

Obviously it is a compressor.

Wetzel

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

the cube will most likely contain the 2 batteries we will have, and the 2nd cube for rookies and 2nd year teams will contain the joysticks. The demensions sound about right for the boxes those two items have come in recently. But fiberglass totes, either that was a big spill of beans and we will have that as a scoring object or they changed the kit boxes (which i know are still the red and green crates as always) or they just dont know what the kit boxes are made of...
~Mike

/edit/: I just looked againa nd it says a cubic foot cube, which i was just rethinking about and thats not the size of either the battery or flight sticks box, so my guess is as good as yours...

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

Each battery is 7.13 x 2.99 x 6.54. Perhaps with packing foam?

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

Those are the two kit boxes we get that they are referring to. Last years were different Blue and Red boxes, I'd think we are getting those again.

As for the other 5x5x38 box, guess we are getting another premade drive base...

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

If the cubes are supposed to be a game piece, it seems it would be much easier to stack/handle/pick up cubes than those bins from last year. We've all believed FIRST won't always use balls as game pieces, last year proved that. But since they might have gone too far with those bins last year, a cube seems to me like it would be the most logical next step up from balls.

Now this being said, this year's game will probably have nothing to do with cubes. Just toying with an idea.

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

So did the floppies from 1999. And the innertubes from..96, I think.

I seem to recall getting two batterys in a cubic box inside one of the totes in years past. Perhaps they have added so much cool stuff to the kit, that extra boxes are needed.

Wetzel

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

If I remember correctly, with packing foam, the battery box looked like a 12" cube.

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

I just remembered I have two batteries right here with me. I held a ruler all around them. The 12" cube seems possible for the two batteries and packing but a slight bit large, too large. I think it is for something else.

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

ok .. i have no idea what might be in the box .. but my question is this .. do only the teams who are attending the remote kickoff that you are get these boxes ?? if it is then the contents have to be something that is not crucial to all teams ...

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

I'm sure all the teams attending any remote kickoff or the actual kickoff will get that box, along with the rest of the kit in the other boxes.

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

...trying to remember which box holds the inflatable clowns...


-dave


---------------------------

12 days to go!!!

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

If it turns out the clowns actually ARE this year's game, I don't know whether I'm going to begin laughing or pass out from shock.

Maybe it's just me, but the clown game seems to have become a bit of a joke around here. If FIRST actually used that idea, though, this could be a very interesting game indeed...

[edit]Just in case anyone reading this doesn't know about the clowns...

Personally, I'm worried for my sanity if that's going to be this year's game... :D

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

Ok so i have gone through some research and got a few nice pieces of info. The batteries normally or packaged WITH OUT packing materials. The flight stick on the other hand is packaged with some "peanuts/packing foam" normally because of the sensativity of the components, so im guessing one cube is the joysticks for the rookies. Now on the other Hand, Since the new controller has said to be a lil more sensative then previous years, i am going to go out on a limb and say that the "box" not other cube will probablly contain the controll items. Now as to the cube everyone is getting, it may be a new component to this year and also it may just be the misc. box of velcro, nuts, bolts, any washers or spacers, and just odds and ends items... BUT WHO KNOWS...(Other then FIRST staff!) ;)

~Mike

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

....or bowling balls??????
:ahh:

...got the Spirit!

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

There's nothing in the box.

Think outside of it.

;)

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

What are you referring to? Kickoff is a good 18 away. Perhaps the MER landing? Or the end of winter break? Or until there is only one week left?

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

Hmm. Well, if rookies and vets are getting 2, then it's probably something in that list of supplies vets have to reuse. Wait, though... why would vets still get one?!?
HMMHMM
My idea...I'm not sure. If it is a game peice, I agree and say something inflatable. Maybe some giant sized balls? Who knows.
If it is kit parts in the reuse list, why are vet teams still getting one? But if it was a gamepiece, then why not everyone get 2?
:confused:

edit: Oh, yeah. I'm going with the new control system here.

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

even though I know that the 12" cubes don't seem like they could fit any of the normal things.. i can't see them being game pieces.. If they really were, it would seem very strange that they give rookies and 2nd yr teams a second piece to the game. Unless of course, the game was slightly different for first & second year teams (In order to help them out against the big vets.).. ;)

Remember.. they didn't say what the 12" cubes were made out of.. it could be cardboard for all you know... (which i guess could also be a game piece.. meh..)

Whether the glass is half full, half empty, or twice as big as it needed to be.. i like:
I guess we'll all find out soon enough :)

jack

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

Guys...
I have it on good authority...
The bigwigs at FIRST have decided to fill the packages (at least partially)with... get this... AIR.

Now... I know everyone thinks I'm being silly, but bear with me.
This air isn't just any air, it's actual New Hampshire air! But not just NH air, but air from MANCHESTER NH!

Is it starting to come together for you now?

Now everyone can get a small taste (or breath) of kickoff in NH. The HOME of FIRST robotics, DEKA, AND Segway.

Just a whiff of this stuff, and you'll be in the mood for some robot buildin', you betcha.


John

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

would you rather have it hold a severed human head....?

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

sanity- since when is sanity an issue?

in the immortal words of Alfred E. Newman- "What me worry?"

(PS- I've been told that if clowns show up I'm a dead man. But I still say- send in the clowns!!!)

WC

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

well the one that everyone gets, like Dez said it's probably the new control system, or it could be a game piece. The one that rookies and 2nd year teams get is either batteries, the pnuematic compressor, or the joysticks (since only the rookies and 2nd year teams are getting those this year).

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

Hey just to correct your post, all teams will be recieving new batteries this year, what will be given to only first and second year teams are the battery chargers, compressors and joysticks.

~Mike

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

Geez I'm getting tired of this. How many times have we corrected people on the no battery charger deal? Eh, I guess that's why we're all here, to understand and help understand.

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

Inflatable clowns??? Hmm.. fishy.. But I do recall a post by Dave mentioning a website that he "stumbled" upon during some "research" of some kind that had inflatable items available on it, with the oddest being inflatable army props (helicopters, jets, tanks)

Inflatable object(s) sounds like a good (fake?) lead from Dave!

(Note to self: Buy lots of snow-tube repair patches in bulk!!!)
:D

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

I noticed those giant inflatable snowmen and Santas that eveyone seems to have on their lawns this christmas come in a box that is about 12" cubed

we'll find out in 2 weeks from................today! :c)

hey! wait a minute..

what size box does a hypercube come in?

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

1ft by 1ft by 1ft by 1 second

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

Seriously now.

What if the first and second year teams must fit into the two 12" by 12" by 12" boxes as the new size regs.

Vets. must fit into one 12" x 12" x 12" to make it harder.

??????????

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

The batteries last year were packaged with sheets of styrofoam. I think we might still have the box, but i don't have access till school starts again.

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

ok that might be true, im thinking now and i think i might remember a lil bit of styrofoam but hey i still dont think the box is 12"x12"x12".

~Mike

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

I think i have a hypothesis to the whole cube mystery...I propose that the cube is stuffed full of drill motors...and clutches....


-Pat

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

Hmm not quite 12x12x12. Thats whats in the bigger box.... The disposables

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

I hope that's not just from your team.

EDIT:Yay! My 1500th post!

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

Judging by the light boxes on the right, the other various boxes around, and the concrete floor, I'd say the picture was taken at an event.

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

My guess would be FIRST-give-stuff-away day.

Wetzel

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

This picture was taken at the 2003 Peachtree regional parts table. I had to post this pic. It fit in sooo well.

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

Well, one of the few things I gained from working the spare parts desk at LA was the ability to recognize the conditions of a spare parts desk... Err... Nevermind.

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

Don't hold me to this but I believe the joysticks came packed in individual boxes. (about 12 X 12 X 12) And since old teams don't get joysticks this year. (to cut costs) It would stand to reason that is why the rookies get the boxes & the rest of us don't.

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

NO! That's not it! Remeber those discontinuted Apple G4 Cubes they sold! :p

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

Rees2001 thats corect, we all have thought the same way and have almost come to a conlusion that the box that the rookies and 2nd year teams are getting will be the flight sticks but the cube everyone is getting we arent completly sure yet what it is. I personally think that the 12x12x12" cube that everyone is getting is the control system but thats just my thoughts...
~Mike

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

Come on guys... everyone knows that the box contains the hydrogen fuel cell :D

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

So this year we get the super powered, Bobcat-arm from hell?

Capable of lifting cars and tossing them 8 stories into the air?
Ummm... maybe it's good 229 got shut out of UTC.


Go 177 ;)

[edit] Anyone that picks up on this joke, deserves some props. :D [/edit]

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

It's amazing i wished for the same thing John!! Arm From Hell!!!!........I only hope my team will see my vision.... :)

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

frankly I think all the teams will be getting two new batteries, but the newer teams will be getting two sets, since all the vets have accumulated so many batteries ove the years. I know our big problem our first few years was that we didn't have any budget for new batteries so we always were short of charged batteries. maybe they've figured out that it will help rookie teams to have backup batteries.

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

Maybe FIRST is reusing the game balls from 2000 & 2001, those black and yellow inflatable balls all came in a 12" x 12" x 12" cube as i remember. They are inflatable, and older teams should still have them around.


-Rc

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

With current technology, a fuel cell capable of even matchign the output of the batts would be giamongous. It would be liek 80 pounds at least by itself. Then the hydrogen system? Cooling anyone? I would love to see what happens when bots collide with liquid hydrogen on board. lol

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

Oh no!! Not the return of the egg shaped balls. It would be cool though to see a bunch of the bigger balls from 1998 and 2000.

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

Maybe it isn't the balls from 2000 or 2001... maybe something like the soccer balls from 2002. As I recall, the soccer balls were more consistant than the balls from 2000 or 2001. If they do bring back balls, I hope it is something like the soccer balls instead of those eggs from past years.

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

What's in the box?

Remember the warning sticker on the inside lids of the 2003 Bins... :D

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

LOL, yep...we broke that rule.


......I mean, who would ever do a thing like that? lol

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

Warning sticker? I don't remember that...what did it say?

Random thought here, but if FIRST uses egg-shaped balls again, maybe it's because they're not as consistent as soccer balls... :D

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

i dont remember the exact wording or if there was any .. but there was a picture of a baby sitting inside of the box and the lid hanging above it and a big "X" over the picture warning people not to put babies in the boxes .. if some one has a picture of that to upload that would be great !!

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

That wouldn't work. Rookies from 2002 won't be getting the second box and they won't have any big balls as they haven't been used since 2001. Plus it really isn't fair since teams may have accidentally damaged or lost the old balls.

I still think it is the charger and/or the compressor and/or the joysticks as rookies and second year teams are the only teams getting them.

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

Always make sure to read the warning labels.. :ahh:


Not to encourage off-topic conversations, but..

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

I understand that sticker caused enormous problems in the game design meetings this year. Due to that explicit warning, the game designers felt they were prohibited from putting the inflatable clowns in the boxes, and they had to find a new location for them...

-dave


----------------------------

1 day to go!!!!!!!

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

Dave, i think you should send an inflatable clown to mars next time, then you really would have a person on mars... Well enough with the clowning around ;), i hope that there really arent clowns in this years game or i think i may have to take an early trip to NJ, and i am going to cry!
~Mike

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

So does any one now know what is in the box(es)?

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

I'm just guessing, but it probablky contains a few sample balls for newer teams.

Us novices have them already, or should from the 2001 game.

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

So did we ever figure out what was held inside the cube? I don't have a team near me and I'm still curious!

-Jessica B

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

The extra cube for rookies was parts from the previous year that they wanted to be reused.

Re: What's in the BOX?
 

Hee! Thanks, Dad :)