Midwest Regional
 

Looks like a great field shaping up for the 2008 Midwest Regional. And it appears to be filling fast -- may actually be full as of today.

Based on history there should be lots of power there: 33, 48, 71, 111, 1114, 1625, and the list goes on.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

Looks like it filled up at 34 teams sometime this evening. Team 1114 is very excited about making our first trip to the Midwest Regional. As Richard described, the team list is rather impressive. We're hoping we can add a Canadian flair to what will be an amazing event. I can't wait.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

Uh oh... I wonder where 648 was when they decided which regionals they were going to attend... Unfortunately, I have nothing to do with this debacle. I haven't been to a meeting since earlier this summer. This will also be the first Midwest Regional I've missed since joining an FRC team in 2002. Looks like a lot of fun...

Re: Midwest Regional
 

1114 will be joined by 2 other Canadian teams - 843 out of Oakville, ON and 2386, rookies out of Burlington, ON.

I'm happy to see fellow Buckeye Team 1038 joining us at the event.

Team 48 is looking forward to Midwest and a visit to the city of Chicago - first time attending since way back in 1999.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

Thats rough, we were hoping to go to Midwest this year as well, but I guess we made a mistake in registering for our hometown regional first.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

I'm hoping to be able to get out of enough classes to go and spectate/hang out with 1114. I've never been to Chicago, and it seems like it's going to be quite the event.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

I think I just may make the trip up to Chi-town to watch/volunteer this one... worry free, even.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

1024's first time in the Midwest regional... See you all there!

Hmmm..... but I wonder what the game is going to be... :confused:

-q

Re: Midwest Regional
 

1038 is very excited to head back to the Windy City for what looks to be an amazing line-up of teams. It's nice that we can spend some quality FIRST time with all of our friends again.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

WHAT?!
They put midwest and detroit on diff weekends this year!?
and Ken didnt get into Midwest :(
I must have a talk with him about that. :P
I miss you midwest, Havnt been there since '05

(maybe its cuz he only registered for one)

Re: Midwest Regional
 

You didn't get into Detroit, either. See you at Great Lakes.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

...stacked much?

I saw this list and my jaw dropped.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

We volunteer at detroit EVERY year since it started. Thats what i meant by that.
When detroit and Midwest have been on the same weekend since '06, we havnt been able to do midwest because we volunteer

Re: Midwest Regional
 

If things go as planned I'll be able to volunteer at this event! :D
This regional looks extremely exciting this year, hopefully I'll be able to make it.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

I'm jelous that 648 won't be able to almost win Midwest again... LOL! What could have been... :D

Re: Midwest Regional
 

All i have to say is most week one regionals aren't that intense due to the fact teams don't have there game down, yet this one more than half of the teams are known for exactly that, having there game down. Especially the ones who make practice robots holy moley

im excited

Re: Midwest Regional
 

Team 1038 was glad to see our friends from 48 was going to be joining us at Midwest. Let's show the Windy city how us OHIO teams play FIRST.

See ya in Chicago!

Re: Midwest Regional
 

Hello everyone :) I checked the Midwest regionals page recently, there appears to be a total of 41 teams and 10 first year rookies, including ourselves. Our school is less than a mile from the IIT campus, and I didn't know that there would be so many teams travailing here from so far away. I cant wait for the regionals, it looks like lots of fun.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

So a little more than a month to go! We are getting really excited!!!
But I have a question to any one that has previously gone to this event what kind of food is there at the UIC Pavilion, if any? And we are thinking about ordering pizza Thursday night does anyone have suggestions about which place to order from? Thanks

Re: Midwest Regional
 

Food at the UIC Pavillion is pretty bad, although I think that it's much the same for any big sports venue. There are a bunch of resturants in the area, though, so if you want to walk a short ways in the Chicago cold to get lunch, that would probably be your best bet!

As far as pizza goes, Chicago is known for its pizza, or so my parents tell me :) If you're staying at a hotel, you should probably just ask at the front desk - I don't know what's around the area specifically.

Looking forward to seeing everyone in two (ish) weeks!

Re: Midwest Regional Food
 

You can preorder lunches which will be brought into the UIC pavillion.

Pre-Order Lunches for the Midwest Regional

Teams may now pre-order lunch for the Midwest Regional. Instructions are at the bottom of the form. All team lunch orders and method of payment must be faxed/mailed by 12:00pm on February 13th, 2008.

http://www.usfirst.org/community/frc...ts.aspx?id=430 by clicking on the pre-order lunch form link for the Midwest Regional!

Mr. Bill

Re: Midwest Regional
 

Hey, can anyone point me towards information about teams that are going to the Midwest Regional...it's time to kick scouting into high gear!

Re: Midwest Regional
 

The Blue Alliance = best team info source ever.

http://www.thebluealliance.net/tbatv...hp?eventid=138

Re: Midwest Regional
 

503 is looking forward competing for its fourth regional chairman's award at the Midwest Regional. The team list is really awe-inspiring, looks like most of the teams from Einstein the past few years decided to show up in Illinois. I look forward to some tough competition, good luck all! :D

Re: Midwest Regional
 

I can't wait for Midwest!!!

I have to watch the webcast on friday but I will be there on saturday ready for some action packed matches. We are in for some fun.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

This is the FIRST time (*chuckle*) that 1024 has ever gone to Chicago. Sounds like it's huge... like... multi-field huge... Is this true? I've herd there are three fields.

1024 will see you all bright and early Thursday!

-q

Re: Midwest Regional
 

the bomb squad cant wait to get to Chicago either.:D

Re: Midwest Regional
 

Team 16 is very excited to be returning to Chicago for the first time since 2003. Remember our "Stack Attack" robot? It was low and fast and got up the ramp in automous in under 6 second. The Baxter engineer, Brandon Padgett, who was the design leader for that robot is back with us this year and will be coaching our drivers. So we're low and fast and can't wait to be back at Midwest!

Re: Midwest Regional
 

Midwest is at the UIC Pavilion we generally have a small practice field set up sponsered by the wonderful 111 wildstang people however there is only one competition field. Looks like 1024 had a little fun with the pipe bender this year I can't wait to see that double fisher price planetary/ tough box gearbox up close and personal.

As for 1525 Warbots we have adopted a new nickname this year as the wicked wabbits or W3. We can't wait to start the competion up this week. It looks like its going to be a difficult regional this year (although it generally is). We just got our stickers the other day and they look pretty sweet. We will be handing the stickers out at the Midwest Regional. See ya all thursday.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

is Wildstang going to webcast the practice rounds today??

Re: Midwest Regional
 

I was wondering that myself, I've been periodically checking the NASA webcast site, no regionals up as of 1015 AM EST. I can't wait to see the BEAST.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

I'm guessing no as it is now 10:35 (enough time for two matches) and nothing yet. I was really hoping to see some of these bots :(

Re: Midwest Regional
 

They are an hour behind us so it is only 9:35 there in chicago.:)

Re: Midwest Regional
 

looks like az regional got a last minute webcast together. it is on ustream. nothing on air yet.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

Arizona is next week.:)

Re: Midwest Regional
 

You and me both, Kyle.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

sorry about that. i should of said.'a week and 2 hours behind.':o

Re: Midwest Regional
 

Back to the topic, when is the webcast going to start because im eagerly waiting to watch the powerhouses go at it?

Re: Midwest Regional
 

I dont think Wildstang is gonna do practice day

Re: Midwest Regional
 

haven't they in the past?

Re: Midwest Regional
 

im def not feelin the lack of webcasts today

Re: Midwest Regional
 

I don't think so either. I just checked, and it says to come back when the event is going on. (Translation: tomorrow morning...:()

Re: Midwest Regional
 

checked where?

Re: Midwest Regional
 

Re: Midwest Regional
 

the midwest regional site here

Edit: beat me... darn

Re: Midwest Regional
 

gerr... real player.... i thought that was dead already.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

Hmm, Oh well, guess ill have to wait until tomorrow :(

Re: Midwest Regional
 

Far from it, iTunes and Real Player almost have the same size user base, the big difference is that iTunes is gaining ground (thanks to iPod), and Real is losing ground. The real winner at the moment though is Windows Media which has the most usage, but it too is losing some ground.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

Yes! My team struck the first blow today in practice.

In autonomous mode the robot collided with another!

Re: Midwest Regional
 

Hopefully it was at least from the other alliance!

EDIT: Not that I would encourage that kind of behavior.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

So whats the competition look like so far?

Re: Midwest Regional
 

NASA UPDATED!

http://robotics.nasa.gov/events/2008_frcwebcasts.php

EDIT: Only New Jersey is running. Midwest isn't up yet.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

Well, the Midwest Regional doesn't work atm...and the New Jersey one has fbombs all over their live "sound tracks".....Hurry up 111!!!!

Re: Midwest Regional
 

I got some video from Midwest for not even a full match, but audio works.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

Is their webcast up? I cant watch it because I dont have Real player yet.
Joey

Re: Midwest Regional
 

Midwest is up, but unstable:

http://robotics.nasa.gov/events/2008_frcwebcasts.php

EDIT: seems to be alright now.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

Webcast is up for me..

<---- watching Jersey and Midwest at the moment ^_^

Re: Midwest Regional
 

How are you watching both at once if they are both RealPlayer streams?

Re: Midwest Regional
 

New Jersey plays in WMP. Midwest in Real.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

Oh thanks.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

I only saw the end of that match, did 1114 really get 10 laps?

Which bot where they?

Re: Midwest Regional
 

1114 is one sharp piece of equipment.
I can't wait to see it in person.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

Can't say that I'm surprised...but 1625 and the red robot last match (1114, I believe?) look amazing! Great match with great tempo.....aaaaaaaand a ball shot at the scoring table :D!

Re: Midwest Regional
 

Was that Winnovation that just lit up that last practice match?

Re: Midwest Regional
 

Why aren't they seperating the practice matches? Just one 240 Second match?

I would think teams would complain about this format limiting Hybrid practice. I would.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

Let me just say....Winnovation and Simbotics just put on a show to be proud of! Hurdle after hurdle after hurdle ^_^....sure lit up my sore eyes after some of the other matches at New Jersey and Midwest.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

That was Winnovation!! And the match i just watched we got 7 hurdles and screwed up on two other ones. I can't wait to get there tomorrow!

But I guess the matches are longer.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

Looked like 1114 had a little trouble getting the balls down in that last match. But once they got them down it was off to the races.

Winnovation was amazing as well. Those two robots should definitely in the mix as the competition winds down on Saturday.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

I don't know what team that was, the blue allaince shooter, but they rocked that match!! Plus 1114 was impresive as ussal. This is gonna be a great regional:D

Re: Midwest Regional
 

That was Winnovation (1625)

Re: Midwest Regional
 

This regional is really bringing it. Was that a rookie team on the blue alliance that hurdled a bunch of times? 23XX? For the life of me I can't read the numbers...

Re: Midwest Regional
 

For those of us that weren't fortunate enough to be able to watch the webcast, did anyone manage to get some pics of 1114 and 71's robots?

Re: Midwest Regional
 

yeah, i want to know as well. I was on the edge of my seat when they placed that ball. Looks like they had a dead battery at the end though.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

I knew 1625 would do good, one of my favorite robots so far! I can't wait to see 1114, especially after reading these recent posts.

How did 16 do? (one of my other favorites)

Re: Midwest Regional
 

I hope the Bomb Squad team members can provide some details. According to an inside source ;), Team 16 figures to be a factor in the MWR: today their robot demonstrated good speed, maneuverability, ball pick-up and shooting capabilities.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

anyone who saw the webcast, can you guys inform me on what type of bot 1114 is? a shooter or a arm bot?

Re: Midwest Regional
 

Am arm bot that shoots.:D

Re: Midwest Regional
 

:eek:

guess i'll be watching the webcast at work tomorrow

Re: Midwest Regional
 

Really? Now I'm very interested. Is it an exceedingly fast arm (how my team and 1523 are doing it), something more like 1625 with a kicker in the gripper, an arm-bot with a shooter as a secondary mechanism, or something so amazingly brilliant that it can't be described with mere words?

Re: Midwest Regional
 

1114 design this year is certainly one to watch, i'll place my bets already if 1114 and 1625 get together on Saturday its over... (and i haven't even seen 71 yet... yea i know never bet against hammond). These two bots with there sick kicker grippers are just dominant.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

Yeah, match 56 looks fun with 1625 and 1114 together, and 1625 has to play Wildstang 3 times in a row tomorrow. That should be fun!

Re: Midwest Regional
 

Just got back to the hotel after a long day of watching practice, here is one guys opinion on the power-bots here this year:

1114 - Hands down, the best I have seen here so far. Can do a lap in auton, great speed, great ball aquisition, and can shoot the ball halfway down the field.

33 - The killer bees have a great bot again, cool break away arm which lets it keep going after releasing for a hurdle.

16 - Cool shooter, came out weak in the beginning but got strong as practice went on.

1024 - A cool shooter/arm hybrid, one to watch!

111 - WildStang came out of the gate a little slow, but got better. Can place on the rack and hurdle.

101 - A cool shooter arm - yes the arm shoots! Curious to see how they do tomorrow.

Other notables - 2358 and 1038. Very curious to see how this works out! I will have a ton of pics up Sunday, can't upload them until I get home...

Re: Midwest Regional
 

I am now more interested in seeing the prelims tomorrow then I was, if that is possible :eek: :yikes: lets hope its good!!

Re: Midwest Regional
 

For all of you out there who are curious about 71: I talked to a friend of mine who was at Midwest today and he said that the Beast was some sort of surgical tubing-powered catapult launcher with swerve on the drive train side of things.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

1114 is very very much like us, with a roller gripper and a puncher at the back of the gripper, amazingly fast.

As far as the beast goes, picture 118 but full size base with beasts swerve, very very similar launcher and pickup to 118 but no turret.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

How could someone who can't watch all day, like me for instance, set up a computer and an external hard drive to capture and save the live feed from Midwest for later viewing? I really want to watch a lot of the matches and get a feel for the game, along with the fact that a lot of teams at Midwest will be at both of our Regionals. If anyone knows how I can set a computer up to do this, I would greatly appreciate it.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

If you already have the hard drive space, get something like VLC player (link). You can watch streams and save them at the same time in any file format or codec you like. At least, it kinda worked when I tried ;)

Disclaimer: I don't know exactly what I'm doing. I've just tried this today and it worked...

Re: Midwest Regional
 

It's worth noting that the pickup feature of that robot was not actually demonstrated today.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

Any clue about how much disk space per amount of time this used?

Re: Midwest Regional
 

No idea.... I recorded ~100 seconds and that equated to 10 mb (kinda large!...) You can, however, select the file type and codecs for video and audio, so you may be able to make that smaller (the one I tested was an .avi with mp4 encoding (I think, I'm no expert at this, believe me!))

Re: Midwest Regional
 

Do you know of any players with that capability that don't cost money? I like my money. :D

Re: Midwest Regional
 

Hmm... It appears I linked to the wrong site (possibly)

Here's the actual free one: http://www.videolan.org/vlc

Re: Midwest Regional
 

VLC is free and open source

http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

Re: Midwest Regional
 

If that doesn't work, Real Player has a record feature that allows you to do the same thing - record streams as they play live.

I recorded a 4m 26s clip today that was a little under 4MB. Same quality as the live stream. Unfortunately, Real Player is the only program which you will be able to watch the recording in, as it records in IVR format. (Internet Video Recording)

Another possible issue is setting up a stream to record for a long period of time. The live streams tend to freeze up, or cut out sometimes. Without being there to restart the stream, you might miss a large sum of things.

Maybe try having a friend record it for you.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

so, you must have the scedule

i would love to see it, wanna watch some rivalry matches (111 v 71) any of those tomorrow?

Thanks In Advance

Re: Midwest Regional
 

That's actually not bad, actually sounds about right. That's 360 MBs per hour, while a bit large for video of that quality, it isn't all that outrageous.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

There is actually a thread that has the match lists attached to it.

And it appears that 71 and 111 will have to wait for elimination to meet each other on the field.

Re: Midwest Regional
 

I'm sorry if it has already been posted or if i missed something, but can someone please post a copy or link of the match schedule.

Thank-you

Re: Midwest Regional
 

A thread was already started here

Re: Midwest Regional
 

This event is going to be awesome.

So awesome that I just dragged myself out of bed so I can get to work by 7 AM my time so I can watch/record the webcast.