[FRC Blog] Championship Waitlist, Crate Fittings, Travel Resources, & Canburglars

[Hallry]

Posted on the FRC Blog, 3/18/15: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprogr...es-canburglars

Championship Waitlist, Crate Fittings, Travel Resources, & Canburglars

Blog Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2015 - 15:21

Waitlist!

Some teams have wondered when we’re going to start releasing FIRST Championship waitlist slots. That’s going to start today. We’re starting much earlier than in recent years because of the significantly larger number of waitlist slots we are projecting we’ll have available (thanks to the 600 FRC Teams we’re going to have at Championship. I’m completely pumped). So, waitlist teams, some of you will be getting some emails starting today that are going to make you smile.

Having Trouble fitting Your Robot in Your Crate?

Some of our Championship-bound teams (OK, full disclosure, I just got goosebumps writing that phrase – have I mentioned we’re going to have 600 FRC Teams at the FIRST Championship this year?) have found, post-bagging, that their robots are too tall to fit in their crates, which are not allowed to be taller than 70”. So, they may feel stuck, unless they’ve got crates that work like one of these:



(Not the Dalek. The TARDIS behind it. Though having a crate that works like a Dalek might be fun too. Fun, but clearly unsafe.)

Not to worry. Just send an email to frcteams@usfirst.org explaining the situation, and they can grant you permission to open your bag so you can disassemble your robot to the point where it will fit in your crate then re-bag. Note, though, that no other work may be done on your robot other than the disassembly . And practice is right out.

New Championship Travel Resources Program

Continuing with our Championship theme (600 Teams!), we’ve got a new travel resources program teams may use. Check it out here. Through this website you can access special events, get help finding transportation, and even get travel insurance if you’d like. We recognize the logistical complexities of trying to get your team to St Louis, and your interest in making sure everyone has fun. This new program is designed to help.

Canburglars

One of the many things I love about FIRST is the richness and depth of our culture. One way this shows itself is in the neologisms created by our community. ‘Canburglar’ is one of these. It means a mechanism that can quickly snatch Recycling Containers from the Step during Auto. I’ve seen some impressive ones, and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens if two of these face off against each other in a match. One important note, though – with the speed at which some of these move, it’s very important to make sure these mechanisms are safe. Inspectors will be checking to make sure mechanisms like these, and all other aspects of your robot, are safe. Please be ready to discuss the safety features of your robot with the Inspectors. We’ve said it before, often, that nothing you are doing is worth getting hurt over. Safety should be the priority.

Frank