Bad News and Extremely Unfortunate Timing

[sportzkrazzy]

Teams 1592 and Team 801's trailer was rear-ended tonight on the way to the Orlando Regional load-in, only 3 miles from the venue.

Unfortunately, both robots are nearly destroyed and barely salvageable.
Thankfully, our student and mentor driver were okay and no one was hurt.

At this point in time, we don't know much about what the next step in this situation is, but we would like to thank the Orlando Regional Committee, FIRST, and all of the gracious teams that were quick to step up and offer their assistance and parts in this time of need.

[Akash Rastogi]

All people involved are safe, at least there is a bright side.

Man, I really feel for you guys as well as the teams up in Canada who just had their truck/trailer stolen.

Bad day for FIRST. I wish you guys the best of luck...

Did they let you unbag early because of this? I would think these circumstances call for special measures.

[Dancin103]

Zac and team, I'm so so sorry this happened, but like Akash said, the driver and student are both ok, this could have been worse. I know if we were down there this year we would pitch right in in getting you guys back on top. I wish you the best of luck!

[Nick Lawrence]

First, I'm thankful nobody was hurt.

Second, do either of you have practice robots?

-Nick

[216Robochick288]

Even though 216, 244, and 288 lost their trailers, I am more than sure that we will be willing to send people to help you guys with anything you need.

Do you know if your electronics are still in one piece, or most of it anyway?

Also, I am very glad to hear that everyone was alright. I hope you guys have a fantastic competition anyway!

[JaneYoung]

Wow. I'm sorry to learn about this.

My initial thought was... if it's going to happen, let it happen in Orlando.

By that I mean - a lot can happen in a day's time and the Orlando Regional is known for making good things happen. Especially with the determination of the two teams involved and those attending who will step up to help. I'm also thinking of the amazing volunteers and organizers of this event and how they will help to make everything run smoothly, keeping the way clear for you to do what you need to do.

Thoughts are with you,
Jane

[NOV8R]

Back in 2006 on the last day of build season things were hectic and we were in a big hurry. That was when your robot had to be sent to a storage location in a crate. In the final minutes the robot (in it's crate) was loaded on a flat bed truck for one of our mentors to drive it to the storage location. There was only one problem, in all the rush nobody tied the crate down. As the mentor was driving on the interstate at 70 mph, he noticed a strange object tumbling end over in the median. You guessed it, it was our robot sans crate. The good news it didn't hit any other vehicles nor did they hit it. The robot parts were gathered up and when it arrived at the storage location they were shrink wrapped to a pallet. There was nothing like showing up the Thursday morning of the competition to see your robot in less than operable condition. Now for the good news. Everyone at the regional pitched in and by Friday morning we had a functioning robot. The people of FIRST are amazing and I'm sure we'll see that again in Orlando.

[avanboekel]

Wow, I'm really sorry to hear about this. We on 2338 are rooting for you guys to pull through for this weekend.

By the way, thanks for overnighting us that cRio module. We're putting it to good use.

-Adam

[JesseK]

Man, that's a worst case scenario! I wish there was something I could help with.

Save your BOMs. In the post-mortem of the accident, depending on the insurance involved the teams should be able to get reimbursed. At least that way you can rebuild for an offseason & demo bot. Frisbee bots are probably the only thing cooler for demos than ball-shooting bots.

[Doc Wu]

Originally Posted by JesseK

Save your BOMs. In the post-mortem of the accident, depending on the insurance involved the teams should be able to get reimbursed. At least that way you can rebuild for an offseason & demo bot. Frisbee bots are probably the only thing cooler for demos than ball-shooting bots.

And welcome a new sponsor for 2014: Allstate!

[Banderoonies]

Wishing you best of luck.....so sorry this happened. Glad everyone was ok

[216Robochick288]

How are these teams doing right now?

[PayneTrain]

From what I've dug up, both teams passed inspection and were on the field today. I know HQ game them no ceiling for the holding allowance so I assume the practice bot that is split between the teams might be a full replacement for one of the teams (presumably 1592) and 801 is probably using a simple chassis with the 125 shooter mentioned here, or something else entirely. I assume there are a lot of people who put a lot of work into these two robots today and they are way too tired to come on Chief Delphi and give a full update, but I do hope someone lets us know.

There are also some pictures of the whole damage around here somewhere, and they looked pretty brutal.

[Nuttyman54]

Glad to hear they were able to get some stuff together to compete!

I would expect RoboShow Orlando to at least touch on this in their 17 minute recap tonight, hopefully we'll get some good details from them.

[StAxis]

Both robots now bear a striking resemblance to their original selves. I am amazed by what they were able to do today.

They split up the practice robot, 1592 got the drive train and 801 the shooter. 801 used the drive train they frantically constructed last night and 1592 used a refurbished shooter from one of the original bots I believe. Both have passed inspection and driven on the field

Everyone in the pits and the stands cheered when the first of them (1592) went out to a practice match, it was awesome to see them driving around and operational, really goes to show what the FIRST community can do.