IRI Results, Notes, and Thank-yous

[archiver]

Posted by Andy Baker at 05/07/2001 2:02 PM EST


Engineer on team #45, TechnoKats, from Kokomo High School and Delphi Automotive Systems.



The TechnoKats had a great time hosting the second annual "Indiana Robotics Invitational" this past weekend.

Here are some results:

Top four seeds: 1:71, 2:308, 3:535, 4:447

The alliance of 71, 33, 47 and 234 scored 720 to get into the finals. The alliance of 308, 111, 469 and 85 also made it into the finals. In the finals, the 308 alliance pulled off an upset by posting a 720 on their second effort. The 71 alliance had a chance to beat 720, but lost a big ball on the way up to balance. They went for having 13 black balls in the near goal, and a big ball just couldn't stay capped on the goal. Team 33 even tried to "shake" the near goal while the HP balls were being loaded in order to get that 13th black ball in, but the 13th black ball was still was too high in the goal to let a big ball stay on top.

Great effort on all of the teams, and thank you for your patience and professionalism as we worked through a few electrical glitches early in the day.

Our panel of 8 judges had a great time being a part of the event. They suprised us all with giving the "Team Spirit Award" to the 4 people who came all the way from WPI (team 190), awarding the team who showed excellent spirit in the effort to compete. I've gotten some feedback from some of the judges so far... and while they say that their jobs were difficult to do, they would rather give out even more awards to the teams. So, expect even more hardware next year.

The TechnoKats got much help from many teams. Team 292, PantherTech helped us set up the field, while teams 93, NEW Apple Corps, 535, G-Force, and 221, Mi. Roboworks, were a great help in tearing down and packing away the field. Thanks also to people who helped referee who were from other teams, Dan Green (111), Ryan Newton (461), and Charlie Elwood (393). Also thanks to Bob and Rob Jenkins from team 201 for giving us great help. Even Trevor and Chuch McCulloch from team 349 came down to lend a hand, even though their team couldn't make it.

The TechnoKats all had a great time and enjoyed hosting the event... from the cookout on Friday to the shindig on Saturday. Only one member of the team didn't make it thought the weekend; our mascot, TechnoPig... but he was a team player, that's for sure.

Here are some more "unofficial notes" from the weekend:

Cheers to team 93 for making it down to Kokomo, especially since you lost a van around Milwaukee. The next five hours must've been cramped, that's for sure.

I'm looking forward to seeing all of the pictures from team 190's trip... sorry about sending you to Kokomo's worst hotel, the KokoMotel. Hopefully, you got enough "bakes" to take back with you to Worcester, Rick.

Sorry about having to re-run match 16. No, we didn't set that match up on purpose, although seeing teams 45, 47, 71, and 111 in a match makes you think twice. Also, losing power during the match was an honest mistake.

Sorry about not having teams 234 and 393 in a match together. We actually had it planned, but it was too late in the day and we didn't get to that match.

Thanks to Tim Railey and Chris Byam, who scared away the Harley rider who showed up the the Baker house afterwords. I hear that he saw all of the cars and was just looking for a beer... but he soon left, empy handed, thanks to our "bouncers".

The crew who were playing basketball Sat. night got a good lesson on how acrylic works as a basketball backboard... it broke. We will use polycarbonate next time, for sure.

Shame on the student from team 93 who tagged my 4-year-old daughter when we were playing tag in our front yard... pick on someone your own size! Actually, she had a blast and appreciated you letting her play with you.

Thanks to the rest of the the TechnoKats and team 93 for once again doing all of the dirty work and cleaning up after the party Sat. night.

Thanks to everyone who told my wife thank-you for her efforts, she appreciated it and enjoyed having you all over to our house.

And, most importantly...
Thanks to the rest of the TechnoKats for making this event great. There are many people who did more work than I who made this thing work, that's for sure.

We appreciate all of the teams who made the effort to compete at the IRI. We will be sending out a survey to see what you liked and what you want to have us improve on for next year. Thank you again for coming.

Sincerely,
Andy Baker

[archiver]

Posted by Chris Hibner at 05/07/2001 2:18 PM EST


Coach on team #308, Walled Lake Monster, from Walled Lake Schools and TRW Automotive Electronics.


In Reply to: IRI Results, Notes, and Thank-yous
Posted by Andy Baker on 05/07/2001 2:02 PM EST:



All of the real "thank-yous" should go to the TechnoKats for a great competition and a great weekend. Our team had a lot of fun and it was definitely the best invitational that we've been to.

(Andy: as a note, our alliance put up 720 in the semi-finals as well.)

-Chris

[archiver]

Posted by Chris Hibner at 05/07/2001 2:24 PM EST


Coach on team #308, Walled Lake Monster, from Walled Lake Schools and TRW Automotive Electronics.


In Reply to: IRI Results, Notes, and Thank-yous
Posted by Andy Baker on 05/07/2001 2:02 PM EST:



I thought the rule changes were great! If FIRST is listening: PLEEEEEEEASE let us know the alliances in advance. It made the competition much more fun to play and much less stressful. I really enjoyed it much more this way.

-Chris

[archiver]

Posted by Kevin at 05/07/2001 2:30 PM EST


Coach on team #308, Walled Lake Monsters, from Walled Lake Schools and TRW Automotive Electronics.


In Reply to: Something I forgot to mention
Posted by Chris Hibner on 05/07/2001 2:24 PM EST:



If FIRST is listening, please consider changing much more than letting us know the alliances in advance. Making the competition much more audience-friendly (easier scoring (not easier game play)and more competitive (not more destructive)) as well as having less reliance on other teams (not less teamwork).


: I thought the rule changes were great! If FIRST is listening: PLEEEEEEEASE let us know the alliances in advance. It made the competition much more fun to play and much less stressful. I really enjoyed it much more this way.

: -Chris

[archiver]

Posted by Kevin at 05/07/2001 2:26 PM EST


Coach on team #308, Walled Lake Monsters, from Walled Lake Schools and TRW Automotive Electronics.


In Reply to: IRI Results, Notes, and Thank-yous
Posted by Andy Baker on 05/07/2001 2:02 PM EST:



A huge thank-you goes out to the TechnoKats for hosting the IRI, as well as all the teams that made it work so well.

Also, does anyone have the individual match results (qualifications, standings, etc.) and does anyone have any videos of the matches for the day that might be available at some point?

As a side note, Team 71 was most impressive as they maintained the number one seed even while trying out new strategies during the qualification matches - like working with the stretcher in nearly every round. I would have loved to have seen them break 800. Guess I'll have to wait until the next invitational.

Thanks.

Kevin
308

: The TechnoKats had a great time hosting the second annual "Indiana Robotics Invitational" this past weekend.

: Here are some results:

: Top four seeds: 1:71, 2:308, 3:535, 4:447

: The alliance of 71, 33, 47 and 234 scored 720 to get into the finals. The alliance of 308, 111, 469 and 85 also made it into the finals. In the finals, the 308 alliance pulled off an upset by posting a 720 on their second effort. The 71 alliance had a chance to beat 720, but lost a big ball on the way up to balance. They went for having 13 black balls in the near goal, and a big ball just couldn't stay capped on the goal. Team 33 even tried to "shake" the near goal while the HP balls were being loaded in order to get that 13th black ball in, but the 13th black ball was still was too high in the goal to let a big ball stay on top.

: Great effort on all of the teams, and thank you for your patience and professionalism as we worked through a few electrical glitches early in the day.

: Our panel of 8 judges had a great time being a part of the event. They suprised us all with giving the "Team Spirit Award" to the 4 people who came all the way from WPI (team 190), awarding the team who showed excellent spirit in the effort to compete. I've gotten some feedback from some of the judges so far... and while they say that their jobs were difficult to do, they would rather give out even more awards to the teams. So, expect even more hardware next year.

: The TechnoKats got much help from many teams. Team 292, PantherTech helped us set up the field, while teams 93, NEW Apple Corps, 535, G-Force, and 221, Mi. Roboworks, were a great help in tearing down and packing away the field. Thanks also to people who helped referee who were from other teams, Dan Green (111), Ryan Newton (461), and Charlie Elwood (393). Also thanks to Bob and Rob Jenkins from team 201 for giving us great help. Even Trevor and Chuch McCulloch from team 349 came down to lend a hand, even though their team couldn't make it.

: The TechnoKats all had a great time and enjoyed hosting the event... from the cookout on Friday to the shindig on Saturday. Only one member of the team didn't make it thought the weekend; our mascot, TechnoPig... but he was a team player, that's for sure.

: Here are some more "unofficial notes" from the weekend:

: Cheers to team 93 for making it down to Kokomo, especially since you lost a van around Milwaukee. The next five hours must've been cramped, that's for sure.

: I'm looking forward to seeing all of the pictures from team 190's trip... sorry about sending you to Kokomo's worst hotel, the KokoMotel. Hopefully, you got enough "bakes" to take back with you to Worcester, Rick.

: Sorry about having to re-run match 16. No, we didn't set that match up on purpose, although seeing teams 45, 47, 71, and 111 in a match makes you think twice. Also, losing power during the match was an honest mistake.

: Sorry about not having teams 234 and 393 in a match together. We actually had it planned, but it was too late in the day and we didn't get to that match.

: Thanks to Tim Railey and Chris Byam, who scared away the Harley rider who showed up the the Baker house afterwords. I hear that he saw all of the cars and was just looking for a beer... but he soon left, empy handed, thanks to our "bouncers".

: The crew who were playing basketball Sat. night got a good lesson on how acrylic works as a basketball backboard... it broke. We will use polycarbonate next time, for sure.

: Shame on the student from team 93 who tagged my 4-year-old daughter when we were playing tag in our front yard... pick on someone your own size! Actually, she had a blast and appreciated you letting her play with you.

: Thanks to the rest of the the TechnoKats and team 93 for once again doing all of the dirty work and cleaning up after the party Sat. night.

: Thanks to everyone who told my wife thank-you for her efforts, she appreciated it and enjoyed having you all over to our house.

: And, most importantly...
: Thanks to the rest of the TechnoKats for making this event great. There are many people who did more work than I who made this thing work, that's for sure.

: We appreciate all of the teams who made the effort to compete at the IRI. We will be sending out a survey to see what you liked and what you want to have us improve on for next year. Thank you again for coming.

: Sincerely,
: Andy Baker

[archiver]

Posted by Andy Baker at 05/07/2001 3:21 PM EST


Engineer on team #45, TechnoKats, from Kokomo High School and Delphi Automotive Systems.


In Reply to: Re: IRI Results, Notes, and Thank-yous
Posted by Kevin on 05/07/2001 2:26 PM EST:




: Also, does anyone have the individual match results (qualifications, standings, etc.) and does anyone have any videos of the matches for the day that might be available at some point?

We have the stats and video footage. I'm not sure how we are going to both available quite yet, but we're working on it. I'll let you all know by the end of the week.

Andy B.

[archiver]

Posted by Jessica Boucher at 05/07/2001 2:55 PM EST


Student on team #237, Sie-H2O-Bots, from Watertown High School and Eastern Awning Systems & The Siemon Company.


In Reply to: IRI Results, Notes, and Thank-yous
Posted by Andy Baker on 05/07/2001 2:02 PM EST:



......that I forgot to ask in FL....is it tough differenciating between luggage on your team with 1/2 of the luggage looking exactly the same?

We were waiting for our bus to take us to the airport w/ Buzz and there was this pile of luggage bewteen ours & Buzz's...and 1/2 of them had the TechnoKats logo on it.

Sorry for being so random, I think the idea of team luggage is awesome though

-Jessica B, #237

PS - I have heard nothing but good comments concerning IRI - great job!

[archiver]

Posted by Erin at 05/07/2001 10:27 PM EST


College Student on team #65, Huskie Brigade, from Pontiac Northern High School and GM Powertrain.


In Reply to: Random question for the TechnoKats......
Posted by Jessica Boucher on 05/07/2001 2:55 PM EST:



I know this is a ridiculous post, but time is on my side, yes it is, so..

The Huskies have red duffle bags with HUSKIE BRIGADE on them (a no-brainer). It's funny at the airport having about 10 kids all yelling: "WHO IS BAG 92?" "WHO IS BAG 31?" "WHAT NUMBER IS THE SPIRIT BAG?" "WHERE IS 26? ITS ME!"
You'd think they had become numbers or something.

Erin, who didn't get a red duffle, and is almost happy about it.

Oh BTW- if Andy reads this: I heard the Kokomo Inn is pretty bad as well...

[archiver]

Posted by Libby Ritchie at 05/07/2001 11:40 PM EST


Coach on team #393, Full Metal Jackets, from Morristown Jr/Sr High School and NASA/KIPT, Inc..


In Reply to: IRI Results, Notes, and Thank-yous
Posted by Andy Baker on 05/07/2001 2:02 PM EST:



In regards to Andy's post and teams 234 and 393 (the "married" teams)... we did get to compete together one time, which was great.

Kokomo did a great job of organizing the IRI and we thank you very much for hosting that event!

[archiver]

Posted by Wayne Doenges at 05/08/2001 7:40 AM EST


Engineer on team #535, G-Force, from Huntington North High School and UT Electronic Controls.


In Reply to: IRI Results, Notes, and Thank-yous
Posted by Andy Baker on 05/07/2001 2:02 PM EST:



Three cheers for the TechnoKats!!!

Hip, Hip Hooray!
Hip, Hip Hooray!
Hip, Hip Hooray!

We had a great time. We finally got to show what we can do.
#3 seed, YES!

It's a pity that team 999 couldn't do better

[archiver]

Posted by Erin at 05/08/2001 8:35 AM EST


College Student on team #65, Huskie Brigade, from Pontiac Northern High School and GM Powertrain.


In Reply to: IRI Results, Notes, and Thank-yous
Posted by Andy Baker on 05/07/2001 2:02 PM EST:



As Kosmo would call this: "Supersonic Upset Special!"

I know it is a little early to tell, but maybe the IRI will be the place for post-season upset action. Last year when 1, 65, and 240 took the number one spot, we had to go up against Chief Delphi (and Beatty I believe ) who actually beat 65 and 1 for the first place spot at GLR that year (and made team 1 place 3rd at MMW). Chief Delphi was one of the TOP of the TOP that year, and I know a lot of people really couldn't believe what happened. Maybe the IRI is the place for a second chance.

Congrats to everyone

-Erin

[archiver]

Posted by Andy Baker at 05/08/2001 9:44 AM EST


Engineer on team #45, TechnoKats, from Kokomo High School and Delphi Automotive Systems.


In Reply to: IRI Results, Notes, and Thank-yous
Posted by Andy Baker on 05/07/2001 2:02 PM EST:



Tony Koscica, from team 292 PantherTech, took some excellent photos of the IRI and posted them on the web.

Here is the link:

http://www.western.k12.in.us/homepag...tures/view.asp

For those of you who weren't there, you can tell from these pictures how the pits were right next to the field.

Thanks, Tony!

Andy B.