I don't think I'd ever advocate the sale of any of our old robots (besides, who would want them?
). The symbolic value of all the time, energy, sweat, emotion, memories, and, indeed, blood poured into each robot would far outweigh any monetary value you could attach to the machines.
48 has kept each of our 11 robots generally together. Most are functional to some degree. It's hard finding places to keep so many, especially so when you're in the process of transitioning from the old high school to the new building that opens up next year. Many that resided at the school have taken up temporary residence elsewhere. Current robot status:
1998 - in two separate pieces but could be restored - no controls. Stored in teacher's garage.
1999 - together, but all surgical tubing from the floppy conveyor rotted away. No controls. Stored in teacher's garage.
2000 - Fully functional. On display at Delphi facility.
2001 - Partially functional. On display at Delphi facility.
2002 - Partially functional. On display at Delphi facility. Extruded frame still out of whack after meeting the center goal at the same time Team 60's bot did in elims at Disney.
2003 - Fully functional. Used for obstacle/defensive bot during practice. Stored at 2010's high school.
2004 - Fully functional. Used for obstacle/defensive bot during practice. Stored at 2010's high school.
2005 - Partially functional. Slated for eventual conversion to t-shirt cannon/robotic paintball shooting platform.
Stored at 2010's high school.
2006 - Functional save for ball collector. Used as a popular demo bot. Will either be stored at 379's high school or in my garage.
2007 - Fully functional. Served as pilot's (drivebase) practice bot for the 2008 season. Will either be stored at 379's high school or in my garage.
2008 - Will stay at 379's high school over the summer, where 48 will stage its summer operations while our school is closed. Thanks again to the Robocats!
Once we move into the new building, the problem of storing all these bots will still exist. Instead of selling these bots or letting them sit in some mentor's garage, my one thought would be to offer them to local venues such as Youngstown State University and Kent State - Trumbull Campus to be a part of static displays promoting FIRST programs. We already put our robots on static display at the art gallery at the local mall. Get them out where people can see them and ask questions, and who knows what kind of FIRST buzz you can generate locally?