pic: FTC 339's ("1114 Simbotics") Robot

[Pat Fairbank]

loading photo ...

[Vince lau]

Congrats to simbotics for winning the Ontario FTC we had a great battle in the finals with you guys amazing scoring robot

[Billfred]

Wow, I didn't realize an embroidered sweatshirt qualified as a non-functional decoration!

If for no other reason, I'll have to make it to DaVinci to see the Simbots in action. Again.

*I have no beef with them asking nicely to keep shots of their robot off the internet--and I applaud their ability to have succeeded at that for as long as they have.

[Jonathan Norris]

Congrats guys, missed this one but I heard it was a hard fought win. Ty I think there is a little too much of the robot showing there

[Rich Kressly]

Congrats ... again . Repeating like this certainly isn't easy at all, but your crew surely makes it look that way!

[JaneYoung]

Congratulations, this photo would be great in Inspirational Photos!
Awesome!

[Imprudent]

Congrats again guys. It was definitely a hard fought match in the finals but you managed to pull ahead of us! I thought we had you for a minute in the last match - then we tipped over...It was an honour to play against you and good luck in Atlanta!

[Holtzman]

Thanks to all for the kind words.

478 - You guys had a fabulous machine. It takes a lot for a vex robot to impress me, and you guys did. Well played.

189 - Great bunch of guys to work with, great machine. It was a pleasure to work with you.

225 - You Played Great D. Thanks for being there when we needed you.


Since becoming a Mentor for Team 2056, I am no longer coaching the 1114’s Vex team. Last year I tried to do both, and in Atlanta I felt like I was abandoning 2056. So, I decided to step down as coach for FTC1114. Long time 1114 member Jeff Becket has stepped up to the plate as the new Drive Team Coach for FTC1114 and did a fantastic job on the weekend. I couldn’t have done better myself. I must admit, watching matches is much more stressful than coaching matches.

Good luck to all, and we’ll see you in Atlanta!

[shsroboticsclub]

I was told on another forum that simbotics did not want any photos of their robot on the internet. Is there any truth to this?

[EricH]

Originally Posted by shsroboticsclub

I was told on another forum that simbotics did not want any photos of their robot on the internet. Is there any truth to this?

They never have. For some evidence, there was a picture of their alliance with the robot uncovered, though partially hidden behind a trophy. That picture has since been deleted. I have never seen a picture of one of their FVC/FTC robots before the championship (and few enough after...).

[Philip W.]

Originally Posted by EricH

They never have. For some evidence, there was a picture of their alliance with the robot uncovered, though partially hidden behind a trophy. That picture has since been deleted. I have never seen a picture of one of their FVC/FTC robots before the championship (and few enough after...).

That picture was removed from ChiefDelphi as a request from team 189. Although the trophies covered 339's and 225's robot remarkably well, 189's robot was very exposed. They do not wish to lose their competitive advantage by revealing their robot design.

[njamietech]

I agree with people in FTC wanting to hide their robot...

But doesn't it violate the whole concept of gracious professionalism to do so. I think it also violates gracious professionalism to steal someones idea without their permission.

[BHS_STopping]

Originally Posted by njamietech

I agree with people in FTC wanting to hide their robot...

But doesn't it violate the whole concept of gracious professionalism to do so. I think it also violates gracious professionalism to steal someones idea without their permission.

Very true. Although, we kind of touched on this when our team posted pictures of our robot (FTC 546) a few weeks back. We didn't fear that people would "steal" our idea, per se. Frankly, we really didn't mind other teams getting inspiration from our design: FIRST isn't all about keeping your robot a secret from the rest of the world (although it is perfectly understandable if that's how you would like to keep things), but it isn't about taking ideas from other robots, either.

We figured that, if there were teams out there who would sacrifice originality and the engineering process just for the sake of winning, those teams probably need to learn more about what FIRST is about. Teamwork, even between competitors on and off the field is what really counts. Just posting a picture can be a valuable source of inspiration for a struggling team, which is why we think it's important not to keep your whole robot "under wraps." However, for the sake of the competition, it would probably be best to just post "teasers" instead if you're looking to provide inspiration to other teams.

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by njamietech

I agree with people in FTC wanting to hide their robot...

But doesn't it violate the whole concept of gracious professionalism to do so. I think it also violates gracious professionalism to steal someones idea without their permission.

There are few businesses in the world that don't have a few things they're working on in secrecy. Look at Apple or any auto maker, and you'll see them keeping everything about their upcoming products as secret as possible. The ramifications can be huge--imagine if the Zune folks knew what Apple is working on in their iPod division right now--meaning that until it's ready to ship in final form (read: at the Championship), secrecy is a valid approach.