13-02-2015, 12:16
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FRC RI/FLL Field Manager
AKA: Max Vrany
 FRC #1306 (BadgerBOTS) Team Role: College Student
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Rookie Year: 2011
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 2,081
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Guest FRC Blog - Innovation First International
http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprogr...-International
Quote:
Today’s post is a look at one of our Crown Suppliers, guest written by Innovation First International.
Did you know that Innovation First International (IFI) was actually born from the FIRST Robotics Competition? Our founders, Tony Norman (right) and Bob Mimlitch (left) were FRC mentors.
After observing challenges faced by their local team, Bob & Tony realized that they could do something to help teams facing similar difficulties. They decided to start a company using lessons learned from FRC, and one key philosophy spawned its name: innovation early in the problem-solving process is necessary to produce simple and elegant designs.
Our heritage is important to us, and we’re proud to continue supporting FRC. That’s why we’d like to give the community a chance to learn some more about our story.
Our History with FIRST
In 1999, IFI launched its first product: the revolutionary Victor motor controller, designed specifically for FRC. This laid the groundwork for further collaboration with FIRST and co-development of the 2000-2008 FRC control system.
Today, Tony & Bob’s dream is supported by over 200 employees worldwide and three subsidiaries spanning the educational robotics, consumer toy, and business-to-business markets. The company may have grown substantially from their garage in the 90’s, but the fast pace, commitment to quality, and passion found in competition robotics still pervades our culture.
Our headquarters are located in Greenville, Texas, and our employees and interns form a diverse melting pot of past/present FRC affiliations.
IFI also sponsors teams near our corporate offices through mentorship and/or financial support (FRC148, FRC217, FRC1114, FRC1296, and FRC3310). To put this commitment in perspective: 50% of our VEX Robotics subsidiary and 100% of its product development group are active FRC mentors this season. Competition robotics isn’t just part of our job -- it’s our weekend hobby, too.
Why spend so much time and effort on these programs?
Put simply, IFI believes in FIRST’s mission to inspire young technology leaders. Time and time again, we have had the privilege of witnessing quiet students from rural Texas transform into (literal) rocket scientists and business owners.
An active community presence also grants us the opportunity to engage with some of the world's brightest minds early on. We love hiring FIRST participants; their experiences in FRC make them a natural fit for our corporate culture!
Enough history, let’s talk RECYCLE RUSH!
One of IFI's founding goals has always been to help students succeed in competition robotics, and the VEXpro Build Blitz is the latest product of these efforts. By distilling and documenting our processes, Build Blitz aims to enhance teams' build experiences and help them achieve superior performance. Though we used 2015’s RECYCLE RUSH gamepieces and field elements, the principles are intended to be timelessly applicable to any FRC game.
Approaching a new game? “Karthik’s Strategic Analysis” demonstrates how thoroughly examining a game can lead to a strategic priority list and help dictate design goals.
Looking for expert insight into the design process? We interviewed some 10+ year veteran IFI engineers to learn how they think during build season. Learn about avoiding common design mistakes, getting by with limited CAD access, and more!
Trying to unlock a successful drivetrain’s “secrets”? The Drivetrain Design Guide (PDF) introduces concepts like “Crayola CAD” and gearing calculations.
IFI & Teams
Like most FRC Suppliers, our most valued resource is feedback from our outspoken users. Whether it’s a suggestion for Build Blitz or a VEXpro item from your Kit of Parts, we’d love to hear from you!
We’re as excited as you are to see RECYCLE RUSH played, and wish GREAT success to all teams!
info@innovationfirst.com
prosupport@vex.com
www.innovationfirst.com
www.vexpro.com
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Last edited by cgmv123 : 13-02-2015 at 12:53.
Reason: Image updated
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Even in the worst times, I get a reminder of just how wonderful my big FIRST family is. - 216Robochick288 [more] 
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