FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Who's been in charge of monitoring Amazon for the FIRST book we've all been waiting for?

Well, whoever it was, they're fired ;-)

I just now found this book Amazon: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design

There is not too much info about it. But there is some. It list $39.99 amazon sells if for $26.39. It is supposed to ship on May 1. AND... ...your friend and mine, Vince Wilczynski, is the first author listed.

The cover looks great too -- nice Mecanum wheel chassis.

I know what book is going to be on my coffee table soon after they start shipping.

For what it is worth...

Joe J.

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Is that 357's mecanum chassis on the cover?

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

It appears to be. So, here's the challenge for all you CSI types out there. From this low res image, how many teams can you identify? I think I see the Team 1114 elevator intake in the top row, 3rd box from the left. (Our designers have a weird tendency to make the globe motor yellow.) Any other guesses?

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Mmmm... 30 robots! This book would make up for all of the lost time I spent fixing the robot last year that I couldn't spend oogling other robots in the pit area!

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Vince joined us on FIRSTcast to discuss the book just before kickoff. He gave told us that the book will be available at the Championship Event, walked through one of the chapters and gave teams pointers on increasing their chances for being in the second book.
It's definitely worth listening to.

Thanks Vince for being on FIRSTcast and for putting so much work into this great book!

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Anyone know what the publish date is going to be? I need to know whether I should have it shipped to college or my house in CT.

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

It also says so on the Amazon page itself.

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Definitely a must have!
:D

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Ooh, that's a definate must-have. Hopefully I can get the team to pre-order one...

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Nice to hear of the initial reaction to the book! It has been a fun project to put together in the "off-season" which never seems to be "off".

The intent pushing the project is to have the book available for the Championship. I will try to get more details on the ship date for items offered via the web sites as to whether their ship is before, after or during the Championship.

I did the FIRSTcast mentioned by Jeff to help teams collect images for the "next book" based on the 2007 season. That piece was intended to give teams some insight on how to collect images that tell the story of their design to increase the team's competitiveness for inclusion in the 2007 book. I hope it was helpful. The images are VERY important, and as such I urge teams to collect high resolution, clear images of their designs.

As for the 2006 book, Stephanie Slezycki is the co-author. Stephanie is a FIRST-alum (Team 236) who is finishing up her B.S. in M.E. We’ve been promised that Stephanie’s bio will be up on the web site. It is important for people to know that in addition to many other accomplishments, FIRST grads are also authors.

In another project I found out that Stephanie had a knack for writing and with her FIRST experience she was a natural to jump into the project. It was fun to do the project together with her.

It was a blast seeing the submitted material and really hard picking the material to include in the book. We're looking forward to seeing all of the submissions for the 2007 book.

We hope you enjoy the work!

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

I really hope you are in there Karthik but alot of teams have yellow globe motors in their designs. It is what happens when you get the model from firstcadlibrary if you look at any of our designs we have the yellow motor as well. (although we didn't have a team last year so I know it isn't us :D )

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Ha, look at that. My bad, sorry.

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

I pre-ordered one. Excellent coffee table book!

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Im pretty sure they're gonna be on sale at nationals, which is like 15 days before they'd ship out books from amazon.

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

So who's the teams in this book?

the answer will depend on if i purchase it or not. ;)

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Looking at the cover of the book and one of the descriptions of the chapters in the FIRSTcast episode, I think it's pretty clear that........ well, you'll just have to put 2 and 2 together. ;)

Last I heard from Vince the book will be available at Champs, online, and and at various bookstores (B&N, Boarders, etc).

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Plus, if you get it at the championship event, you can get all the teams in the book to autograph it.

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

haha. not all of us listen to first cast/ blue alliance.;)

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Exactly what I was thinking! Looks awesome!

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Yes...the Mecanum chassis on the cover of the book is an early inventor drawing for Team 357's 2006 Jester Drive.

Needless to say we were thrilled to have our design on the cover!!

Guess what gift I'm giving everyone on my Christmas list next year. :D

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

I had a chance to visit Rockport publishers who is putting out the book while up in Gloucester MA this October. They were closed the day I was there, but it gave me a perfect photo opportunity. w00t!

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Ah Man, I can't wait to get the actual book. I wonder which teams were chosen.

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

I was able to get a better resolution version of the cover. I dropped a version in the gallery and have the higher resolution version here. I expect to get an example chapter soon. Enjoy - Vince

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

wahoo! i see Ellery and some other X-Cats on the cover!

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Wow, that's pretty cool. Definitely going to check it out. I've been waiting for a FIRST-related book to come out, and now it's here! :) And the funny part is that the cover is pretty much how I thought a book on FIRST would look like. :ahh:

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

well.........good news for team 322. Three of the small pics on the cover contain parts from our robot.:yikes: :yikes: :yikes:

We are pretty excited to say the least.:ahh:

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Some more in depth discussions going on here about the book and the pics on the cover.

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...highlight=book

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Why did the book price go up? was it becuase of the alarming number of Wish-List hits towards this book?

I am disappointed.

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

FYI: The list price never changed, the pre-release special that Amazon.com was running has expired.

RAZ

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

boo. ok.

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Our team leader just received notification that we are in the book. Who else made it?

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

We got it too!

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

I received notice that Team 1114 would be in the book.

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Wildstang is in, but we already knew that since we identified one of the tiny photos on the cover as our own ;)

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Team 1629's in it as well!

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

The WOBOT, Team 141 Is In The Book. Way to go Team! Congratulations to all the other teams!

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Yeah, 418 made it too, but then again our team number is on the cover. :D

-Danny

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

237

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Team 191 X-Cats is in too.... Sweet. Now I just have to figure whether or not I should cancel my current Amazon order and get the discounted version or if it is a wash.

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

NOTICE TO WINNERS: Hopefully most of us will be in Atlanta this year. Wouldn't if be great if we could take turns signing eachothers copies!
Looking forward to meeting up with all the other teams.

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Heck, I'd love to have the main designers of each of the robots sing their respective pages in the book! Maybe during the CD web hug?

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Didn't they advertise or talk about this in the kickoff this year?

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Unfortunately I won't be at Atlanta this year :( - ya know that grad school thing tends to take up alot of time. But having people sign it would be kool!

Ellery

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

I want a book, and will be seeking it to be autographed by the teams highlighted in the book. Maybe there needs to be a book signing session Thursday or Friday night in Atlanta.

Whoever is responsible for these wonderful designs (students and mentors) will hopefully be giving out autographs. I'll stand in line with the rest of respectful FIRST members to get my copy's pages signed by the designers.

AB

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Just got the email from the team head........

384 is in it! I'll drag Jame's/Crebber's $@#$@#$@# to Atlanta to get those signed for everyone.

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

I'll probably be the only X-Cat at the webhug and it would be improper for me to sign the page since I did not work on the robot (unless you count the signage). I'd reccomend going to our pits to get the signature from those who truly deserve the credit. Particualrly our coach Henry who's explaination of our process basically won us the award.

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

The book and "Get Published" opportunity were mentioned at the kickoff. You can find out more information about the next edition at http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedFiles..._Published.pdf, or search the FIRST website.

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Yay! Team 100 is in there!

The alumni who designed the award wining transmissions doesn't even know about this yet! We'll have to surprise him at Davis :D

BIG THANKS TO VESELIN KOLEV WHO HELPED MAKE THESE TRANSMISSIONS A REALITY!

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

At the Championship, on Thursday, April 12th, we will be giving a talk about the "Get Published" project as a part of the FIRST workshops. This workshop could be utilized as an opportunity for teams to congregate and meet eachother. More details will be provided as the Championship nears.

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

TEAM COSMO #123 is in... We received the Email.

Coach Joe - "Drive team coach, team robot designer, engineer & mentor"
I also authored the editorial we submitted to Rockport last year; it will be interesting to see what they left in and/or added and what pix they used. I guess we'll see, only 27 more days.

See ya all at the Nat’s

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Team 467 has 5 pages front and back on some page in the fifties.

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

The Publisher dropped into the Boston Regional with some of the first copies from the press run. People seemed to like what they saw.

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Vince,

After seeing you at UTC,

any word on availability of the book at Championships?

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

When we asked the publishers in Boston, they said that if it wasn't available at the Dome, that the Georgia Tech bookstore would have it

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

I think i'm gonna purchase this and use it as an idea base for next year. 1023 is going to be going into new waters next season with some interesting design changes (for the good hopefully!).

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

I'm still waiting for my pre-order to arrive from Amazon. Can't wait to check it out!

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

As dtape (Jeff) said above, 467 is in the book - one of two MA teams (the other being 190). I stopped someone that was holding a book and asked if I could take a peek to see if we were in it. She looked at my and noticing my team shirt, said "oh yeah, you're in it, about 7-8 pages" Then proceeded to open it up and show me!

Very nice! Can't wait to get a copy!

Also, some of our students presented a copy of the book to Governor Patrick.

I had an idea we may have been in back in January, when I received an email asking for verification of some student info. After replying I then received a reply saying like "..I'll see if I can make the change - the book is going to press soon..."

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

T, in order for them to show us the book, it had to have already be printed;)

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

;) That was from an email I received back in January - before it was printed

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

I am definitly buying it! I love checking out other teams bots, hopefully I can get it at Atlanta. Would be a great read on the 8 hour drive back.

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Ditto... except I need something to keep me company for a 14+ hour bus ride home.

Team 648 is going to start working on our Behind the Design 2 submission tonight, after winning the Rockwell Automation Innovation in Control Award at the Midwest Regional. Anyone have any tips?

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Just letting everyone know the book is now shipping from Amazon!

I had pre-ordered the book from Amazon and received an email thins morning that the book has now shipped. Hopefully it will get here before we head to Atlanta so I can get some signatures!

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

You can check us out under the GM Industrial Design section. ;)

As for tips: follow the guidelines laid out for you specifically, make sure to answer all the questions fully, and include as many pictures as possible (make sure they're in the proper format and guideline conforming).

Good luck.

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

I have a ton of pictures and I can convert them to the format needed. I have the completed questionnaire. The only thing I'm missing is a full photo of our robot in a white background. I won't be able to get one of those until we're in Atlanta. I think we're going to bring a white sheet and try to tape it on a wall in the pits somewhere to get the photo... but that's cutting it close, our submission is to be postmarked the 16th...

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

There's always Photo Shop. ;)

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

The book + 2 day shipping costs less than what the book usually should cost (and will cost at Atlanta.)

I bought it too. Just giving everyone a heads up. ;)

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Is the book hardcover or softcover? Amazon and B&N disagree.
They also disagree on the title. But the ISBN, pic of the cover and authors are the same, so I'm sure it's the same book.

Amazon:
FIRST Robots: Aim High: Behind the Design (Paperback)
http://www.amazon.com/FIRST-Robots-H...dp/1592533663/

Barnes & Noble:
Robots That Rock: The First Book of Robot Design (Hardcover)
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/boo...SBN=1592533663

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

They should all be hardcover. There seems to have been some discrepancies from site to site but Rockport has printed in Hardcover.

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Amazon now has it listed as (Hardcover) I was very disappointed to see it initially in paperback, which is the main reason I haven't bought it yet. However, with the new change I'll be putting in my order tonight.

BEN

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

It is hardcover. One of our team's mentors received his today (next day shipping from Amazon.)

It's really well done (even if our team wasn't in it :) )

Can't wait to get my own!

I thought I had heard that each team that was in the book was to receive 5 copies, and they would also be able to purchase it at a discount. Is this true, or am I just hearing things?

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

could somebody list all the team numbers that got in, we've dying to know who.

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

My brother(Joe)'s rush copy just arrived. Here's the list of teams as taken from the table of contents:

Delphi Driving Tomorrow's Technology Award
Team 25
Team 33
Team 100
Team 357
Team 467
Team 1501

General Motors Industrial Design Award
Team 121
Team 123
Team 190
Team 237
Team 294
Team 384

Rockwell Automation Innovation in Control Award
Team 111
Team 225
Team 418
Team 494
Team 1114
Team 1629

Motorola Quality Award
Team 16
Team 141
Team 191
Team 207
Team 322
Team 1024

Xerox Creativity Award
Team 86
Team 293
Team 330
Team 694
Team 1319
Team 1510

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Ahem. We. Also, if you revised that any could you send a revised copy to me?

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

So far, I like 1501's entry the best, about their monocoque construction. Still have a bunch to read, though.

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Of course... I had Ed finish up a question that was missing (my fault) and I'm still in the revision stage. Should be done in a little bit, though.

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

I received mine from Amazon today.

The good:

• Awesome step for FIRST. I love the idea of a book of unique FIRST designs.
• hard cover- This is a great coffee table book. One you can keep out and show friends examples of advanced design in the FRC.
• A great read. Teams did a wonderful job with their articles.
• LOTS of pictures.
• Price- the book isn't very expensive for how awesome it is.

The Bad:

• Pictures are a little blurry. I'm not sure if the cause is amateur photography or bad paper quality. I would be willing to pay more for higher gloss paper.

Overall, I love it and can't wait to order a 2007 version :D

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Mike, I received mine from Amazon today as well. I am looking forward to a great read on the bus to Atlanta tomorrow. I have given it a quick thumb through though and in my copy the photos are really great. As you say the paper isn't high gloss but still really nice. Of course it is all relative and these are amateur photos for the most part but is it possible your copy might be a bad printing? Give me a particular photo and page number that you would like me to check and I will give it a look. There are a few photos here and there that are less crisp but overall I think they are great.

I also really like the layout of the book overall (so far). Can't wait for that bus ride tomorrow!

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Mine came yesterday and I think it is the perfect size book.
Not too big, not too small..just right. It's traveling to Atlanta with me.:)

I like it a lot.
Jane

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

I agree, the photos in my book look as good as could reasonably be expected.

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Does anyone else see a misprint in 418's section in the top photo on page 150? My copy has some text printed over the image that doesn't look like it is supposed to be there.

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

did you get some porage(sp?) with it too? :p

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Yes, same on mine.

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

The misprint is there.

Jalapeno chips and diet coke. <grin>

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

i received my today.

i found that my name in the back of the book is misspelled.

I too also have the misprint.

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

I Finally got mine... Sweet!!! It's great read about how other teams managed to decide on what design to make.

Great job to all the teams who submitted. Nothing like pioneering the first FIRST book! Also it's kool having our team picture in it too. Note our Histogram of pins in the background collected from all the years.

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

im PUMPED for this book!

i think our teams gonna be in it since we won the design award in boston, but i could be wrong...

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

VERY cool book.......

I love the layout, especially how ideas evolve from paper sketches, to CAD models, and then to the real thing. I bought 3 copies to donate to our school's library to help inspire future FIRST team members.

I was a little disappointed that the FirstCadLibrary didn't get a mention. I guess I'll have to work a little harder this summer. ;)

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

At Atlanta several of our engineers got their copies signed by Dean and Woodie. Others got the author to sign them.
Did anyone else get a the trading card sets with the winning robots shown?
Several of the Team 1501 pictures, in the book, are mine. Yay!

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Not sure about the 5 copies thing, but my team has a one time offer to buy them for half off since we were in it, which we took advantage of and offered team members the special rate.

I bought 2. Buy one get one free pretty much. :)

Ed, we gave you credit on our Inventor Award submission this year on the site here in the credits section: http://www.team237.com/inventor/index.htm

What you are doing for the FIRST community is a very valuable service!! Thank you from us all!!!

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Anyone have info on the "Rack and Roll" version of the book? It's available for preorder on Amazon here for $26.39 and comes out on April 8th, 2008. Does anyone know which teams are in it?

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

Has anyone heard whether or not either of these books are going to be available as an ebook?

Re: FIRST Robotics: Behind the Design
 

I got my copy in the mail today....

Some very cool robot designs in there....
Who knew somone built a stationary "Ramp Bot" ?
Not me. But I do now :)

Phil.