Additions to the Kit of Parts

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Posted by Ryan Shanley.   [PICTURE: SAME | NEW | HELP]


Student on team #191, The X-Cats, from Joseph C. Wilson Magnet High School and Xerox.

Posted on 5/14/2000 11:10 AM MST



I was disappointed this year that there weren't many new surprises in the kit of parts. I don't know about you, but I enjoy when FIRST pops something new in there for us to find uses for.

I remember a few years ago when they added the Yaw Rate (Giro) Sensor, and students from many teams (including my brother and I) were inspired to explore its many applications. A student from GRT, team #192, wrote a great paper on how to use the sensor with applications in stabilization, angular measurement, and angular acceleration; he also explained how he helped his team apply these to their robot to control its arm and keep it from tipping. I've used the paper countless times in the past few years in designing our electronic subsystem.

well, I look forward in hope that next year FIRST can give us something new (besides a huge pneumatic tank) to further inspire us and give us more engineering aspects to work with. Good luck to those still competing (I am in serious 'Rumble at the Rock' withdrawal)!

ryan