/me glares at Jeremy for worrying people

Don't worry about it - I'm sure we'll be there! There were just some issues about who from our team will be available to go. With 35 people, though, I'm sure we can find 10 to go! See you there! :)

- Katie

IRI '02... the place to be~
 

The 3rd annual "Indiana Robotics Invitational" is just around the corner, and the locals here in the Hoosier Heartland are getting pretty antsy.

We've got 25 teams coming in to compete, with room for 7 more. These teams will be competing in one of the best gyms in central Indiana! The pits will be around the field, just like the first two IRIs.

This year's IRI is a two day event... that means teams will get a slew of Q matches to fight it out for their first seed. But, as a first seed... who do you pick? Have you seen the list of teams competing? Hmm... 71, 469, and 308 were three of the four "first picks" at the championships... that would be a tough decision.

Also... we're gonna have a good time. On Friday evening, after we play a few qualification rounds, we get to eat some of that yummy "TechnoPig" while having fun at our own IRI team party.

Speaking of a good time, it will be fun to see friendly faces "working the field" at the IRI. First of all, the one and only Dr. Joe is our our M/C. You may also recognize Crazy Nate Smith behind the scorer's table, so we know that all will go smoothly. Also, we will have an elite panel of judges who will be deciding on 10 awards for the competing teams.

Then there are the referees... and they're tough :). I'm the head ref, and the rest of the crew will be made up of 1 fellow TechnoKat, 2 CyberBlue engineers and one notoriously tough ref from the Beach Bots (thanks, Sean Roberts!). We will call the game just like FIRST refs call it at the Championships, so make sure that you re-read FIRST's Update #8.

So, 25 teams are getting all of this... the competition, the fun, and the excitement. We could use more teams to make this competition even better. If any team is interested in coming, check out the CyberBlue website and sign up... if you dare!

CyberBlue website for IRI details

Andy B.

team 93
 

we will be there one way or another. but the reason jnadke posted that we might not is believe it or not there is not enough interest on our team. i know sounds unreal. dont worry though there r a few of us that will find a way to be there no matter what. see u all down there. good luck.

Christi

P.S. i cant wait.

I think right now we're up to 6 or 7 people... but looks like it'll be slowing down...

Heh... I just thought it was pathetic that only 3 people on the team could go when the question was asked at the last team meeting... but, looks like we'll be going...

93 going...
 

Our buddies to the north just can't let us be the only WI teams going, I'm sure they'll come through :D

Expect a few New Things...
 

With my spare time(what little bit I have left,) I've been adding new features to the scoring software which will make their debut at this year's IRI. Currently completed or in the works:
-Notification on the match results screen if the high score has been tied or beaten.
-An updated alliance selection display, not only showing the teams selected and still available, but also who they will be competing against in the first round.
-A "ticker-tape" display on the pit monitor, showing various event statistics(high score, rounds remaining, schedule reminders, etc.)
-802.11b access available to custom event information system(instant rankings, match schedules, etc). (SSID if available: iri_net)

I may not know for sure until I set up and test on site at the IRI which of these features we will be using. More information will be coming as the event gets closer.

DISCLAIMER: Some features, including the public 802.11b access, will only be available bandwidth-permitting on our wireless network. Due to the nature of the event, stress testing of the network will not occur until setup on the Friday morning of the event. Therefore, it will not be possible to provide advance notice as to whether or not this feature will be available.

TOBOR WILL BE THERE
 

I JUST GOT AN E-MAIL FROM OUR ADVISOR AND HE SAID THAT WE WILL BE GOING TO IRI NO MATTER WHAT. JEREMYS STATMENT WAS INCORRECT BUT THIS IS. I JUST WISH I COULD GO.

Heh... I was just going off what someone else said... when they were going around asking... they said he needed enough interest or we wouldn't be going... oh well...

Good thing that we're definately going!

Just to spark some conversation.....

When do all the teams start arriving in Indy for IRI? the night before? same day?...just wondering...


(oh by the way....which hotels are u staying at so i know which ones to avoid so i can get some sleep...hehe)

Actually, I should correct my earlier statement...

A lot of people showed interest... except they couldn't because most have summer jobs... and our teacher wanted to leave on Thursday and not come back until Sunday...

Well... 2 days is hard to miss for work...

Well, we are leaving good old Oconomowoc around 8 Fri Morning for an approx 2PM arrival/power nap at the Omni Orrington...Look Out :p

I think we're leaving early Friday too. No idea about the hotel though.

Omni...
 

Looks like i might be staying at the Omni too.....not quite sure yet though...

Actually i dont even really have to stay at a hotel but i'm to lazy to drive back and forth to Indy 6 times (i have to help set up on Thurs.)

I also checked out a map of Indy to see exactly where Lawerance North HS was and its pretty close to the Omni and a pretty decent mall.


:)

the omni is really close and its a really nice hotel, from what i have heard. omni's are some of the nicest hotels in the city. im thinking about staying there. im not up for driving back and forth all the time. we'll see...

We are leaving early Friday and staying at the Fairfield Inn about 5 mins from the competition.