[Lindy]

The SWAT-Bot is finished and in the news already? Wow, that's what I get for being cooped indoors with my computer for so long.

Anyway, since I seem to be the only one from 968 still browsing these forums, I'll chip in some comments.

Yes, as far as I remembered, the robot started as a side-project for RAWC in the summer, after Officer Prizzi brought it up as a potential project for the team to get involved in during the off-time. It would hone the team's skills, help the local police department, and maybe generate some nice publicity -- always good things. Several members of the 968 team helped to design and build the robot during the time.

The whole thing, of course, was wholly dissassociated from FIRST operations. The funds to finance the project, for instance, was rounded through various donations through the hard efforts from Mr. Prizzi himself. Also, none of the regular team mentors worked on it (at least, I didn't, anyway). Instead, some other very knowledgeable folks (such as Zack Bieber) helped along with team.

All-in-all, it's good to see the Bulldog finally roll out. I'll have to check it out personally, sometime. That is, if I can get off this blasted computer.