FIRST Robots to Lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

[Larry Lewis]

I am glad that someone was finally able to get this going! Our team applied for the parade in 2010 and were rejected. It is great that people in FIRST were able to work with Macy's to make it happen now.

[MrForbes]

More info....


http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20131107006532/en

[Mr. Rip]

Just for fun, here is the Texas Torque 2013 robot Sonic ready for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The lights on the back of the robot are cycling as candy cane stripes.

Scott Rippetoe
FRC Team 1477

[Gregor]

Originally Posted by srippetoe

Just for fun, here is the Texas Torque 2013 robot Sonic ready for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The lights on the back of the robot are cycling as candy cane stripes.

Scott Rippetoe
FRC Team 1477

Those scissors are beautiful.

I think you need to file the tip though, too pointy to pass inspection.

[Robotmmm]

Very cool! I see you have your giant scissors ready to cut the ribbon as well!
What changes did you have to make in order to drive the entire parade route?

[Mr. Rip]

We went with softer rubber wheels and increased the diameter from 4 to 5 inches for better ground clearance. The floor intake was removed because it had runners that rode right on top of the carpet. A floor pan was added to protect the electronics from debris and water.

Additional lights were added to the robot to create a candy cane effect on the back cable carriers. The main robot battery runs the lights and a marine battery is powering the robot the entire 2.5 miles of the route.

All of the electronics have been enclosed in polycarbonate boxes and a polycarbonate rain shield can be quickly added to provide cover for the entire robot in case of inclement weather.

Scott Rippetoe
Texas Torque

[Abhishek R]

Great, now I have a reason to watch the Parade. I had been wondering how you were gonna cut the ribbon, did you have to add a new mechanism, or are using the elevator or something to open the scissors?

[Aaron.Graeve]

From the picture Mr. Rippetoe posted on the previous page, it looks to be a new mechanism on a separate solenoid.

Also, it is nice to see show bumpers again.

[Mr. Rip]

We are using a new attachment to make the scissors open and close but they run off the same pneumatic solenoid that raises and lowers our hanger hooks. Flow control keeps the scissors from chomping too quickly.

Mr. Rip

[MichaelBick]

Originally Posted by srippetoe

The main robot battery runs the lights and a marine battery is powering the robot the entire 2.5 miles of the route.

1477 for one said they are using a longer life battery earlier in the thread.

[mom1155]

The FIRST takeover continues! Tune into Fox & Friends tomorrow morning between 7-8 AM EST to see FIRST teams Texas Torque and The Holy Cows LIVE talking about FIRST, their robots, and their important role in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!

[geomapguy]

Originally Posted by srippetoe

Just for fun, here is the Texas Torque 2013 robot Sonic ready for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The lights on the back of the robot are cycling as candy cane stripes.

Scott Rippetoe
FRC Team 1477

Scott, what exactly is the sponsor side panel made out of?

[Mr. Rip]

The side panels were made buy Sign's Now, the company that donated the graphics for our trailer. They are made from the same material used for the signs people post in their yard that remind us their child plays football, baseball, band, etc. I believe it is called corrugated plastic. The cost was very reasonable and I think they really dress up the robot.

Mr. Rip

[George1902]

SPAM's 2013 robot, Chomper, and his all black confetti cannons are ready to go!

[peetam22]

Hey, we've got two members who came with SPAM who are interested in the tickets! Message me please so I can give you their contact info?