Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

With less than 24 hours until the FIRST Robotics Competition Season Kickoff, everyone is starting to get excited to find out what this year's game is. Here are some useful links for people who will be tuning in with their teams.

This thread can be a place to consolidate everyone's discussion and speculation as the Kickoff unfolds. We're sure to learn some new and exciting things about the new control system's capabilities and what we'll all be getting in the Kit of Parts. Some big unanswered questions remain!

• What will we be using the camera for?
• How will autonomous mode take advantage of all this new computational horsepower
• What challenges will the Game Design Committee throw at us this year?
• Water game?

Stay tuned, less than 24 hours until we all find out!

Go teams!

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

On the camera issue, there has to be something that goes along with the camera. It could be a tool for teams to view the robots prespective in a match, or it could be used for tracking. Could we be playing the game without view of our robots? We will find out tomorrow!

Also, how long they will talk before they finally reveal the game? :P

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

I predict that 2009 will be the year of the sensor. Teams mastering several different sensors will have an advantage, at least more so than in prior years.

I also think teams with mature drivetrains may be in for a shock. Pure speculation.

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

Sensors may be very important this year, especially with the new control system.

If we are seeing elevation in the field drive trains will have to be simple

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

Looking at the agenda, it looks like a little more than an hour allocated for the actual kickoff "event"...Kickoff and game announcement is scheduled for 10, and kit handout starts at 11:30 at a different site, so I'm guessing it will work something like this...
10:00 - 10:35ish -> the usual "welcome to the season" speeches, etc, maybe with something thrown in about the new controls
10:35 - 10:37 -> Dave's masterpiece (aka the game description animation)
10:37 - 11:00 -> More specific description of game
11:00 - 11:30 -> Q&A and mass exodus to FIRST loading dock kit pickup

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

Thanks for the info :) last year I remember sitting there and wondering if they would ever announce the game.

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

that pretty much seems to be the standard schedule of what goes on. That first half hour of intro speeches seems to take forever though!!!!:ahh:

Be sure to keep an eye out for my scoring spreadsheet. With all luck, I'll have at least an Alpha version posted tomorrow.

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

don't forget the montage of dancing teams from previous years

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

Haha, that is always a necessary part of kickoff :)

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

hey every one well im here in the first "headquarters" you can say.. they wont let me in the room with the kop... i try lol but any way some pretty cool stuff... i cant wait till tomorrow and see what the game is ill be in the crowd at the kick off woottttt...........

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

Where will it be posted?

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

Here is how I think it will go...

Paul will be up first to welcome us, give us the current stats of FIRST like teams, the other FIRST programs, rookies, counties, and sponsers. We'll have a safety video to watch and a chairman's video to watch. Next, we'll hear from at least two governers/representitives/senators from various locations and/or hearing from a sponser CEO or higher up. Dean will offer his homework to better FIRST as well as talk about the future of something in the world, Woodie will discuss our mentors and GP. We'll have Dave come on to show off the new control system as well as any other technical problem solving we have to look forward too. Then the GDC will gather together in front of one/two/three large curtians, open them up...croud and other crouds over the world gasp. Que game animation. After that, people in boxes will play out the game. Then Dean, Dave and Woodie will play our some game show with Paul as host, giving up various important points to the game, ending with the encryption code for the manuals. Then the three will have some sort of ending sign off that will hint that next near will be the water game.

But thats just my opinion.

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

You left out at least one interesting item.

Tonight's homework is figuring out what that is.

Blake
PS: Water game!

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

Wow, I cannot believe that kick off is tomorrow! I was wondering; is there any way to get the chat room to work with a an ipod touch? I won't be taking my laptop to kick off because I really don't feel like hauling around a huge 6+ lbs. computer with me. If not, no big deal. Thanks!

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

My spreadsheet will be found in the white papers (CD Media), under scoring. I'll also start a thread about it when it's posted. If you want a sample of my previous works, just search for papers posted by me.

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

Meebo is not supported by the Touch at this time. It is a flash object, and unfortunately not all are supported. :(

I will be sure to check your work out!

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

Alex: It's Meebo. Part Flash, part HTML.

I can't wait!!! I'm sad to see you couldn't get the WMP working on the page, Greg. At least I can pull the feed into my VLC and watch that way. And the big screen in the hall. :D

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

Ah that makes sense, I'm not very familiar with Meebo (although 50% of my friends use it as an AIM client)


So what are everyone's kickoff eve predictions?

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

The TBA Crew just got up here to Manchester. We forgot a power strip, so we had to go out and buy one. The roads up here in Manchester are still pretty snowy, so cars are sliding around a little bit. Hopefully no one slides around too much on their way to Kickoff tomorrow! :ahh:

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

and thats why i love Florida, although if you A/C dosent work its kinda annoying

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

ahhhhh how long has it been since I've last logged in?
I'm excited for you guys, and I miss the racking of the brains, the mass printing of game manuals, and the pre-brain storm brain storming. I don't mind the ride to the webcast site though...
Wishing everyone a good next season, good luck.
-e.foote

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

That basically describes the climate of Michigan :)

And I hope all of the teams get to Manchester safely!

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

Live Coverage is going! Tune in at thebluealliance.net/kickoff09

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

I hardly ever pay attention to the first 45 minutes of the broadcast. It's always so incredibly boring, and I'm on my laptop ignoring it right now in fact. I believe that is one thing FIRST needs to work on, making the kickoff less boring.

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

this is probably the last chance you will get for a good nap, enjoy it.

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

On the contrary, I find it so interesting to hear all the great stuff about FIRST from those who know it best- Dean, Dave, Woodie, Mr. Abele, and Mr. Gudonis. Their words are VERY important to anyone who wants to truly understand the program. I always pay special attention to what these fantastic people have to say, it means a lot.

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

I think the reason it seems boring is the incredible anticipation of the new game. I heard dean speak a few months ago outside of first and it was very funny and interesting.

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

I know it's important, but I'd be good with a summary of the minutes and an 11am local kickoff time, including breakfast.

Have a FIRST convention for these speeches. I'm not trying to be disrespectful, and I certainly understand the importance/meaning of them, not to mention the traditional suspense of the game release, but it just goes on too long.

Before you flame me, I'm not implying that he's not saying anything good. Just that it could be said with a few less words. Now you may commence firing...

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

Dean's HW: Connect with Alumni using FIRST website.

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

Dean's homework seems to be in the context of planning a "million machinist march" in two years?

I'm all for it. :)

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

HELP!!! Our school district blocked all video, and our school did not give us satellite.

Can someone be sure to post the decrypt code here so we can at least get the manual?

Thanks!

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

I'll post the code when it goes up.

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

Digg the Kickoff and spread awareness outside of FIRST!

http://digg.com/tech_news/FIRST_Robotics_2009_Kickoff

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

Clearly, the goal is to have a standing army of people trained in disciplines that will allow them to counteract the inevitable robot uprising. Who better to stop the machines than those who designed them?

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

wow... regolith? our prediction was right about the slick floors.... moonrocks==moonfish...

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

low traction, trailers, essentially the game is throwing balls into robots' trailers.

should be interesting.

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

What a game! I certainly did not expect anything like this. Can't wait to start designing for this amazing challenge!

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

Does anyone know what the actual polymer is? A cursory search of regolith didn't bring any polymer up.

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

dude...

rack & pinion steering bot, rear wheel drive... DRIFTING!

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

Some initial pics of the new field are up on Flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/2242118...7611844292070/

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

BURNOUTS!!!! like in drag racing will give more traction with the slick KOP wheels.

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

Unlock Code:

1GiantLeap4FRC

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

the password is 1GiantLeap4FRC

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

Thanks SO much! Info in this thread is all we've had access to. Grrr!!

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

Best of luck to all teams this year! It's looking like a pretty awesome competition.

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

Once anyone knows about a downloadable video of the contest, please post it here! (We're flying blind, but regolith is a cool word, and the field looks cool thanks to the unlocked docs!)

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

Just go to youtube and search lunacy... It'll come up. I also donloaded the video off of the NASA website, but the picture quality is poor.. I would suggest you just go through youtube unless you want to save the video for offline use.

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

Was there a signoff? I went to a supplementary, time-delayed kickoff event, and they seemed to have cut off the end of the video.

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

Great job with your site, TBA! I tried putting something together similar to this a few years ago, and while I know that the web in general is expanding by leaps and bounds as far as what you can do, I don't think that my site came anywhere close to what you have done...

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

The word "regolith" means loose rock and dust layered over bedrock. It's what the moon's surface is made of. It's just the game term for the slippery plastic used in the middle of the arena.

I think the actual material is FRP (Fibreglas™ Reinforced Plastic).

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

This posting is epically ironic.

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

I missed the first 1/2 hour of the kickoff, and i wanted to see the intro video (since they filmed my team for it..). NASA hasn't put it up yet, but i was wondering if anyone downloaded it and would be willing to upload it to youtube or something? Thanks!

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

First year rookie for 1189 Gearheads here, and I can already feel robotics pumpin through my veins after kickoff! But i've got one question...
I've received no and yes answers, so I need some clarification on this...
Will or will there not be a 2009 animation contest? (not safety, that's over)
Thanks guys!

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

Dude, I like your why of thinking! :D

As for the people complaining about all the speeches ect... yeah its gets to be a drag. But these are the people that make it all happen so chill. :P
Someday you'll want people to listen to what you think is important. ;)

-p :cool:

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

I agree with everyone saying that the speeches are important and informative, as well as the people. The problem that I have is that they all tend to go over the same rough ideas, and hardly ever contain humor. Make a speech funny, and people will pay more attention. Either that, or shorten the speeches a little. It's not like this is the State Of The Union Address.

Just my two cents.

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

I meant the intro video, not the animation... nasa hasn't put it up yet? thanks though!

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

A simple yes or no would suffice. =/

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

Sorry, I saw the link at the bottom, and assumed it lead to a working media file. I'm sure it'll be up within the next 24 hours.

I'm sure that everyone who has seen your post (including myself) doesn't know the answer, or is getting around to it. Awards are not my specialty, otherwise I'd answer you confidently, but (in my limited knowledge) I don't think there's another animation contest outside of the safety. Again, I could be wrong, so please be patient. :)

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

Alright, thanks man. And sorry bout the rush.

Re: Kickoff 2009 Discussion
 

Section 5.3.2 of the rules lays out the Autodesk Visualization Award. The details are now available at http://firstbasefrc.autodesk.com/?nd..._visualization