FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

[mom1155]

The FIRST takeover continues! Tune into Fox & Friends tomorrow morning between 7-8 AM EST to see FIRST teams Texas Torque and The Holy Cows LIVE talking about FIRST, their robots, and their important role in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!

[Hallry]

Originally Posted by srippetoe

The standard battery is no match for the 2.5 miles in 45 minutes.

When we did our Memorial Day Parades back in May (they were each a little less than 1.5 miles IIRC), we used a Y-cable to greatly quicken battery changes, so that our robot only had to be stopped for <20 seconds during a change:

Originally Posted by Hallry

We have a Y-shaped anderson connector that we used. It looks like the one on the left side of the picture below, but is longer:


We had one end hooked up to the robot, the other to the battery in the robot, and when we swap batteries, we hook up the free end to the new battery before disconnecting the old one, so the robot never turned off.

(Taken from this thread)

You can see it in action here; I think the first battery change happens at about 16:53.

Just a suggestion if the marching teams are interested, although I'll bet the FRC World Champions and Hall of Fame team already have a solution worked out. . Can't wait to see 1538 and 1477 on Fox and Friends tomorrow morning, and then all 5 teams leading the parade on Thursday!

[Hallry]

My apologies for the double post, but 1477 and 1538 are live on Fox and Friends NOW!

[Robby Unruh]

It doesn't look like they have it listed on their website... anyone have a link so I can watch it online?

[Hallry]

Originally Posted by Robby Unruh

It doesn't look like they have it listed on their website... anyone have a link so I can watch it online?

Someone recorded it and posted it on Youtube here, in case anyone else missed it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha1Z...ature=youtu.be.

[waialua359]

What an awesome experience for these 5 great teams!
Its about the only thing that you could sacrifice for not being at home with family/friends this Thanksgiving Holiday.
At least, lucky for me I get to relax with loved ones WHILE watching the Macy's Day Parade.

[mdituri]

Anyone local want to go into see the parade tomorrow morning? My aunt just handed me two tickets to the uptown grandstands at the opening of the parade. (between 76th and 71st street)

If you are a nice robot couple, I might give you both tickets and just bring my lawnchair and sit closer to the end of the route so I am closer to the train.

My mom, dad, and 2 aunts are clown pirates tomorrow with one of the floats so I am going in to see them anyway.

[peetam22]

Hey, we've got two members who came with SPAM who are interested in the tickets! Message me please so I can give you their contact info?

[SharonO]

So, has anybody figured out what kind of impact the weather is going to have on these robots tomorrow?

[peetam22]

As long as water doesn't get to the Electric board, the connections on it, things should be fine. For spam, ours is covered by plexi and there's sealant on all lighting connections.

Originally Posted by SharonO

So, has anybody figured out what kind of impact the weather is going to have on these robots tomorrow?

Let's hope the possible downpour doesn't rain on their parade.

[Mark McLeod]

It already has and it didn't stop them
Should be clear, cold and gusty tomorrow for the parade itself.

[Roger]

I'm kinda hoping for those high winds, so the balloons can't fly -- but only so the robots get to be the major only parade interest At least it looks like no rain; nothing worse than it raining on your parade. Too bad you guys didn't bring the robots from the water game year. Don't forget to say Hi to Mrs Walker when you're lining up for the parade. I'll stop now

[mdituri]

The beginning of the parade. Waiting to start and showing the robot to the clowns.

[Hallry]

Originally Posted by Roger

I'm kinda hoping for those high winds, so the balloons can't fly -- but only so the robots get to be the major only parade interest

Due to the winds, the balloons WILL fly, but just won't be let up quite so high.

And with that, the parade's about to begin!!