2007 Indiana Robotics Invitational

[AmyPrib]

IRI was started in 2000 in the high school gym in Kokomo, Indiana by Team 45. Back then they had 20 or so team (?) in attendance. (now it's up over 60). It was in Kokomo for 2yrs and then moved down to Indy to have teams 234 and 393 join as co-hosts to organize the event. It's held in 1024's high school facilities.

Prior to this in '97-'99, Team 45 would host "TechnoKat Challenges" where local students would form teams and compete. They had a few hours to build a small robot (lego/vex size) and then compete. This sorta "grew" into the IRI.

Even prior to that in '94-'97, they hosted the "PopCan Regatta". They'd get some people together, build "boats" out of popcans and other limited materials, and have a competition in the high school pool.

All these smaller competition events progressed and built up into the IRI.

If you go to www.technokats.org and the photo gallery, check out the albums for '97-'99. There are photos of the Tkat Challenge in there. In the '94-97 albums, there are photos of the popcan regatta.
If you go to the History Project Link on our site, and click on the image for 1997, we have an old "Tkat Challenge Rules" booklet. If you click on the 1996 image, there are popcan regatta rules posted.

Andy Baker can provide you with details on any other specific questions.