22-07-2008 01:06

vivek16

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

I hate to ask, but what is it?

thanks, Vivek

22-07-2008 06:43

Koko Ed

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

It's a robot the 1024 made that would be driven around by remote control and beep at people.

22-07-2008 07:26

GaryVoshol

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

You know you've been involved with robotics too long when you see a remote-controlled traffic barrel coming up behind people and honking - and it doens't faze you.

22-07-2008 07:40

jtdowney

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

And you have been in way to long when the fact that the same barrel ended up saran wrapped to a bench doesn't faze you either.

22-07-2008 08:56

AndyB

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

I heard 1114 had their robot saran wrapped during the alliance selections. Never saw a picture though.

22-07-2008 09:23

RyanN

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

It was. It was right near our pit. I was scared to start packing everything up because we had a large roll of saran wrap to pack everything up with. It was not us though.

22-07-2008 09:46

Karibou

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

Whenever they need a steady supply of traffic barrels, they're welcome to come to Grosse Pointe and take all of ours =]

But why Saran wrap it to a bench? Of all the other things that it could be wrapped to (Andy Baker ( ), a trackball, etc), you had to choose a bench.

22-07-2008 10:01

Dan Petrovic

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

Well, the bench wasn't occupied. It wasn't busy, like Andy Baker. It wasn't difficult to work with, like a track ball.

It also made it really easy to carry it to 1024's pit when we were finished.

22-07-2008 10:23

Andrew141WOBOT

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

I wondered why it was stuck to a bench. That thing hit me coming back from a match

22-07-2008 10:31

JVN

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

Yes, I saw the result of this. Personally I believe this was way out of line. Pranks are all well and good, but in my opinion you should NOT be messing with another team's robot without their permission. ESPECIALLY right before eliminations.

Not funny.

-John

22-07-2008 11:05

Cory

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

I agree. I walked by while looking for some parts to fix our bot with, and saw some people wrapping it. I would not be happy if random people took my robot out of it's pit and started screwing with it.

22-07-2008 11:15

IndySam

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

I'm with you John. If that had been my robot someone would have had a stern talking too.

22-07-2008 11:50

Lowfategg

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

I agree. No one should be playing with other peoples robots unless the team that owns the robot is asked first.

22-07-2008 12:26

Ryan Dognaux

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

I'm glad someone wrapped up that cone, it was funny for about the first ten minutes and then I was just annoyed the rest of the weekend by it.

22-07-2008 12:31

Elgin Clock

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

1114 was already pranked that weekend on Thursday night by professional pranksters.
Saturday was just amateur hour IMHO.
The difference between the Thursday night pranking & the Saturday pranking was that members of 1114 were in on the prank (aka: bot-napping) on Thursday, & obviously were asked before hand.

Pranking is funny but only to a limit of course.

The cone prank (which I didn't see but would have liked to in person) was just great! There's a HUGE difference in pranking a side project & a competitive robot while at an event as well.
That's just funny right there what they did to the cone-bot. lol

22-07-2008 15:34

Arefin Bari

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

Speaking of the Thursday night prank, I am trying to get all the pictures I can get so I can make a collage out of it. Please send me pictures if you have any. Thanks.

22-07-2008 15:56

Kyle Love

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

If you ask me, the prank done on Thursday night could have broken more things then the whole saran wrap. But thats just me. Regardless, both weren't funny IMHO. The whole barrel thing though, everyone was annoyed by it so that's cool, since ya know, it wasn't a REAL robot.

22-07-2008 16:15

Mike Schreiber

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

I agree messing with a competition robot isn't exactly funny, especially if something gets messed up...I personally wasn't involved in it, I actually didn't even know it happened until after it was done and never saw it up close only from across the gym (our pit, against the far wall). But I still would like to see pictures, although whoever has them probably shouldn't post them here because the reaction will not be favorable.

22-07-2008 16:19

Travis Hoffman

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

Could someone provide details of the Thursday night "professional" prank?

Makes me recall the time Steve Warren stuck a note on our crate at GTR on Thursday morning before we arrived. It instructed us not to open it and see "Customs" instead. Except we WEREN'T in on the prank.

22-07-2008 16:38

Arefin Bari

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

Me and few others thought we should pull something on 1114 (specially on Karthik). The idea behind it was to freak Karthik out by taking the robot out of the arena and not bring it back until 8:30 next morning. Few adults and kids from 1114 were involved with us as well (We took their permission before touching the robot).

Anyways, we took the robot out of the arena and took it back to where I was staying (The robot was in the car the whole time and it was supported by many things that will prevent it from breaking, also I was driving very slow). Team 1114's kids were with me the whole time. Around 8 at night, they wanted to go back to the hotel and I didn't feel comfortable keeping the robot in the car the whole night so I took the kids back to the hotel and stored the robot in the meeting room in the hotel that 1114 was staying at. We took pictures of the robot standing in front of the podium giving "lectures" to 1114's kid and so forth. That same night, I went to hang out with team 1114 at their hotel. Karthik had no idea that the robot was downstairs locked in a room.

Next morning, the robot was back in the arena safe and sound. Unfortunately, the prank wasn't successful since Karthik found out that same night. The teacher brought the robot back to the arena.

It's not a good thing to mess with someone else's property without getting their permission; but I believe it's okay when permission is taken as well as the people who it belongs to are involved as well.

22-07-2008 17:25

Steve W

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

BUT, it sure was funny. No harm, no foul. Clean fun and I did not keep you waiting long to say "April Fools!!!!!!" (then I ran)

22-07-2008 18:49

Paul Copioli

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

The person who performed the prank had confessed to the IRI organizers on Saturday night and promised to apologize to 1114. I do not know who they were or if they have already apologized or not.

22-07-2008 20:13

Travis Hoffman

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

......you ran so far awaaay......

Yes there were no angry thoughts of flogging toucan-haired mentors that day, as we knew the crate hadn't been opened.

I could imagine a different feeling if someone had messed with our bot without our knowledge, though.

22-07-2008 21:08

Qbranch

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

Wow... I'm amazed at how much exposure Albert the Road Barrel got...

Sorry we didn't have his fully autonomous mode done in time for IRI... eventually he's getting an array of eight or more ultrasonic sensors around his base... plan is to either give him a route to follow and just stop if somebody comes up to him (using our 2008 robot's championship-rockwell-automation-innovation-in-control-award-winning autonomous navigation software... had to throw that last part in there ), or just have him run away from people.

Oh gosh... if you all tried to saran wrap it to any baker he'd probably just order his '05 kitbot transmissions to stop... however the trackball is interesting...

...and yes, I thought it was hillarious when Albert showed up on a bench.

I didn't really think the LED display getting saran wrapped was too funny though... it had a pretty penny worth of parts in it...

Sorry, but we didn't give albert a keyed switch to turn on, so it was pretty easy for anyone to grab the controller, unplug the charger, and go. Unfortunately, some of the people that drove Albert were very obnoxious. Sorry, but not much I can do about that.

As far as I know, I think I'm clean at least... I don't remember hitting anyone.

Again, sorry some people layed on the horn... but yes it is a good tool to pull off a gag... you should have seen when some 1024-ers took it over to a road construction site (on Keystone, I believe) and put it in the row with the rest of the road barrels... they say they got somebody to do a U-turn just by spinning it in circles and honking the horn while operating it from behind a new jersy barrier. Before you ask, yes I've asked for a video many times... if I get one, I'll be sure to post.

-q

22-07-2008 22:01

JaneYoung

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

That sounds like a Candid Camera moment.

Talent Show, Q, Talent Show. Albert could assist the master of ceremonies. or...Fishboy and Albert the Road Barrel, Taking It On The Road....

Or.... Albert, The Latte Barrel.

Or ... if only Albert Had A Hammer

ok, I'll stop. Well, writing but not thinking. I can't believe I missed seeing this little guy. *sigh*

22-07-2008 22:20

Chris Fultz

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

I am going to disagree here. that robot belongs to the entire 1114 team, and unless they all agreed to take it from the arena, you put them and all of their work at risk. think of what could have happened - a slip, a drop, something bent or broken, and they could have lost their entire weekend of competition. How would you recover from that?

I hope it doesn't come to this, but maybe the IRI needs a "Do not touch another teams robot" policy.

there are lots of ways to have fun and play pranks - i don't think this is a good one.

ps - i would say this about any teams robot, regardless if they were in the #1 or #72 spot.

23-07-2008 02:12

jtdowney

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

I would have thought/hoped that falls under GP and that a stated policy wouldn't be needed.

I am going to have to agree with Chris (and others), the only time you should do anything with another teams robot is if they've asked you to help work on it.

23-07-2008 02:30

Arefin Bari

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

Maybe this whole idea was just out of control and not thought out enough. I am embarrassed for leading this whole thing on Thursday night. I didn't have enough people or time to think of a good prank for IRI this year like last one.

I can't take back what I did. With that said, I apologize to everyone on Team 1114 and to the IRI planning committee. I didn't mean this to come out this way or mean any harm to anyone. No such action will be taken in future that will involve me.

Team 1114, I idolize you guys as a team and I hope this action of mine doesn't affect my relationship with your team in future.

23-07-2008 10:54

Elgin Clock

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

It's all good Arefin.
I'll get on writing up a release form that teams that get pranked can sign next year so the folks who like to lawyer situations will all be happy before we have any fun again at the expense of another team.


Obviously I'm being sarcastic here, & laying it on thick.
Imagine if any candid camera, or situational television show ever aired on tv with humor in mind had the people getting pranked sign a waiver BEFORE they got pranked?? Or what if you were told before hand you were going to be given a surprise party? Takes some of the fun out of it now doesn't it?

Seriously folks. There is a time & a place & a way to go about pranking someone or a team in the FIRST community, or even outside of it.

Yes, I'll agree things have the potential of getting damaged if a prank is approached the wrong way (as I've had the misfortune to experience first hand actually - but I'm no more of an opponent of pranking after that, just more of a propponent of pranking in a non-destructive way), but sometimes people just need to lighten up & have some fun (in a safe way).
FIRST teaches us to be safe. It's in the core values.
It also teaches us to have fun with all we do, & be innovative, & also creative.
With that in mind, if a person decides to pull a prank, you hope that they will approach it in a safe way & they will always, in my mind, be fully responsible for anything that went wrong, which Im sure in ALL these pranks we are talking about the prankster(s) would agree.



And in turn, one good prank usually deserves an equal prank against the original prankster, so if anyone wants to help me plastic wrap Arefin's car, or do something else, let me know.
Oh, & btw, don't mention it to him. Shhhh!!


Wait a second... DARN IT! He's going to read this & know I'm up to something.
Oh wells, may as well get my waiver ready for him to sign.

23-07-2008 11:13

JaneYoung

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

Just to add a thought to the discussion of taking another team's robot or doing things to it like wrapping it in saran wrap.

Many teams have valuable sponsors that they depend on for monies, support, partnership. If something were to happen to a robot because of a prank, how could that be explained to the sponsor and who would do the explaining?

The discussions regarding sponsor support, outreach, spreading the word of FIRST and impacting communities locally and globally are real. Reputation is something all FIRST teams work to establish inside and outside the FIRST community. It doesn't take much to weaken a reputation that has been built over time.

This is another perspective to look at when making choices and decisions regarding how you conduct yourself as an individual and as a team.

23-07-2008 12:05

JVN

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

I'll again preface this with the comment that I like practical jokes and have been known to play a prank or two in my time. However, I get agitated when thinking about pranks involving our robots. I find your attitude toward this issue EXTREMELY irresponsible.

If an accident happens, and you damage our robot... how exactly would you be responsible? Would you pay for it? How would we determine cost for such a thing?

Why should I trust that you won't do something stupid which results in a bad situation? How can you be sure there won't be some horrible accident?

If you break something, should I just lighten up? Do you expect me to be happy that you derived pleasure at my team's expense?

It is all about risk. If everything goes fine, great... we laugh at ourselves and everything is cool. If something goes wrong, then what? Why is it worth the risk? Why should YOU get to decide whether it is worth the risk or not.

Why would I ever sign your hypothetical waiver to allow you to mess with me or my team or my robot?

Let me be very clear:
Stay the heck away from 148. I don't trust your judgment.

I wonder if there are other teams who don't trust your judgment. I wonder if you've ever given that any thought.
Then again you ARE a professional pranker, right?

-John

PS - Greg Ross once said "Playing a practical joke means doing something mean and calling it funny."

23-07-2008 12:31

Dmentor

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

On the subject of pranks…

Good pranks are clever, inventive, humorous and inspiring in a sense; but they are also a little sadistic and very dependent on the participant’s and observer’s perspectives. I think good pranks can spark our imaginations but they also evoke strong emotional responses in the target of the prank (be it fear, embarrassment, anger). Bad pranks (and jokes) damage relationships, reputations and is the source of numerous lawsuits in the workplace. Pranks and jokes typically exist in that murky gray region between acceptable and unacceptable behavior. It is hard to know when you’ve gone over the boundary since you are typically playing very close to it. I tend to think there is an associated “adrenalin rush” with behaving within this boundary of acceptable behavior which makes it appealing to the prankster.

While I admire a good prank, I am often more intrigued by how the prank’s target behaves. Some get angry and/or threaten revenge; others show great generosity of spirit by playing along even though their internal emotions may be roiled. Those folks that fall into that last category are the ones I really admire.

23-07-2008 17:08

AndyB

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

Bad Prank: Saran Wrapping 1114.
Good Prank: Karthik Matress Taco.


Just sayin.

23-07-2008 17:09

Pavan Dave

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

Wow.

The way I'm looking at it right now is that Arefin's prank was not theft. The other one, by the sound of it, was. Can you add getting police officers to patrol the event to your list of things to do for IRI next year? Maybe we will need some snipers on the roofs too to make sure everyone is always in order. WAIT maybe thats taking it too far? We're all involved with robotics, maybe we should just make a meter to measure how a team's sense of humor is?
...
I understand some of the outrage about this pranking controversy but really everybody is over reacting unless some damage was caused. If Karthik and 1114 can post on here and say what happened to their robot and what damaged what maybe people will calm down without a magic "chill pill" and shrug or laugh this off.


Pavan.

23-07-2008 17:57

Karthik

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

What's funny to one person is just an annoying story about a chicken in traffic to another...

Here's the deal on the pranks. On Thursday, Arefin and crew, along with some 1114 students/mentors decided to hide our robot. When I first heard about this prank, I was pretty annoyed. But after learning the details, and knowing that our students and lead teacher helped transport the robot, I was okay with it. My primary concern was the safety of the robot, and knowing that the proper precautions were taken made eased my concerns. Do I think it was an ill-advised stunt? Yes. Am I angry/annoyed about it in the slightest? Not at all. (Arefin, no need to keep apologizing, we're cool with it.) The other thing about this prank, was that Arefin has been friends with 1114 for a while. It's not like some stranger came and stole our robot.

The second prank on Saturday was a different story. I don't want to go into all the details, since the perpetrator has yet to speak to us about it, but basically someone who our team was not familiar with decided to saran wrap our robot before the elimination rounds. We were not happy with this prank at all, for a couple of reasons. It was performed by someone not associated with our team in the slightest. When I pull pranks, I pull them on my friends, not complete strangers. For example, if I were to saran wrap Paul Copioli while he was sleeping, it'd be funny, we'd both laugh, the world would go on. If I were to saran wrap a 6'2", 200 lb stranger in his sleep, he'd probably punch me in the face and break about 83 bones. This would be deserved.

The second reason this prank was a bad idea, is because the prankster had no idea what damage could have been done, to the robot or himself. Every FRC robot is delicate in it's own way. For example, say our ram was loaded? The prankster could have easily released it thereby sending our ram flying into their face. This would be what I call a "less than good situation".

Pavan, I have to disagree. The "no harm, no foul" caveat doesn't apply here. It's akin to saying that speeding is fine as long as you don't hit someone. There's a reason we have laws against speeding, to prevent damage from occurring. We're fortunate that our robot took no damage during the prank, and we're even more fortunate that no one was hurt by our robot.

Anyways, the lead mentor for team of the student who performed this prank called me on Sunday and apologized profusely. We're more than over the situation (although a few of us were pretty annoyed in the moment), and are pretty surprised that this became an issue here on CD. Hopefully we can all turn this situation into a positive lesson about "good ideas" and "bad ideas". Or to put it more succinctly "think before you act".

Now here's something I totally disagree with.

23-07-2008 17:59

Cory

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

I've got to disagree. Taking someone else's robot out of their pit, and then doing anything at all to it is out of line.

1114's radio cable came out in SF 1-1. Their arm pot was screwy all afternoon in the elims. Who's to say that it wasn't because random people were messing around with their robot?

It's like they teach you in kindergarten (or maybe even preschool. It was a long time ago ) keep your hands to yourself. Even if they didn't cause damage, that doesn't negate the fact they were messing with another team's robot.

If this happened to my team, and my kids "arranged" for such a prank to take place, I can tell you I would not be happy at all. Both the responsible parties, and my students would have a lot of explaining to do.

23-07-2008 18:58

Pavan Dave

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

Just to clarify for Karthik, Cory, and the rest of you, I am only defending the prank by Arefin and the professionals as they had a certain degree of consent. The other prank was completely out of line and does deserve the proper response.

The thing is that the 'professionals' had permission from some members of 1114. NOT only students but apparently a teacher was in on it too. When a student's voice of reason fails, it is up to the adult to make the proper decisions and make a stand when they are the head of a group, organization, etc.

Pavan

23-07-2008 19:03

Andrew Schreiber

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

A thought on the first prank. (the second was out of line end of story) Depending on who owns the robot this could of been a major problem. If a group (other than 1114) were to have ownership of the robot then this could turn into a case of theft. Realize, these are expensive pieces of equipment. Some companies put thousands of dollars towards their teams, most of this with the thought of being rewarded w/ positive PR and some nice advertising. If a prank were to inadvertently damage the robot or the robot came up missing (say a company exec wanted a photo op) I imagine the company would be pretty angry. If the robot is not performing at it's peak the company is not getting all of what it paid for. This could lose sponsorships for teams. I say this as a caution only.

Ok, pretty bleak and negative. The sad part, I like practical jokes. But NOT on competition robots. Mike, this was pretty funny, and since it was not on a competing robot I think it was acceptable. That being said, if it competes and it doesnt belong to you or your team, keep your hands off it. Treat it like anything else that belongs to others. For example, if one of my friends stole my computer and hid it from me the night before I had a paper due said friends may be going to class with a black eye or two the next day.

Prank with caution and respect.

23-07-2008 20:42

Schnabel

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

Ok, so here is the deal, STOP TALKING ABOUT 1114 FROM THIS POINT ON!!! I have come on here by request to clear this up as it was ME who wrapped both the cone and the robot. I mean for crying out loud if I would have known it would have created this much controversy, I wouldn't have done it. I had bought the wrap to continue a new tradition started last year think it would be cool if the team pranked choose a target for the next years prank and continue on a tradition. I did not know who it was going to be, but someone who I will not mention the name suggested 1114. So durring aliance selections we went to the pits and their robot just happened to be sitting on the cart in the pit room. I did not move their robot ever, I just happened to be lucky that it wasn't in their pit. I with the help of others then began to wrap it, but we were very careful to wrap it loosley and with as little bit of touching it as possible. Now the very day after I talked to both 1114 and the iri planning committee, so both know. Yes I could have made a better choice, but for crying out loud people, it was just a joke. Also mike I did enjoy helping you with this.
So, from this point on, this thread is about the co e and nothing about 1114, and if you are having diffulty with this, you can pm me instead of posting for the person you are bashing for doing this is in fact me, so from now on say anything to my face (or as close to my face as pming can get).

25-07-2008 00:07

Bendavnel

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

what are you talking about of course albert is a real robot. All i needed was a First controller (to expensive for a homemade bot) and a cople of sticks and i could have ran him in the comp. its faster than our robot (which is fast enough). besides what makes any of the lap BOTS in this years competition any different from the cone???? Just cause we got a little entertainment out of driving it around dosent mean u should hate on it. for every person who found it annoying i bet i could find at least 3 people who loved it. And be honest if you had built a cool little robot like that wouldnt you wanna show it off too?

Ben

25-07-2008 00:54

Pavan Dave

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

Getting in peoples way when they are trying to walk and "juking" them out to stay in their way isn't cool and if I did have something like that, I certainly would know a time and place for it. I saw random people get attacked by the thing and I do mean attacked.

This is like what Karthik was saying, its okay if you do it to PEOPLE YOU KNOW, but don't mess with others especially those who don't know you.

I got hit by the thing a few times, and when I was trying to work on the robot it wouldn't get away from me. Please play the GP card if you want- I hate that term anyways - but I was about to push the off button regardless of Chris' "keep your hands off other robots" rule due to it being a distraction and getting in the way of my IRI experience.

Also for every one person that you messed with I bet there were two others or three others who saw it and didn't appreciate it on the victim's behalf.

If Chris does decide to make the no touching robots rule, I think he should make a rule regarding getting permits for show robots and robots touching/disrupting people.

EDIT: Somebody said that they are not responsible for the actions of the others on their but but in reality they are just as guilty for not stopping their own teammates so please do not pull that "its not my fault, I didn't do it" card.


Pavan Dave


.

25-07-2008 01:06

RyanN

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

Much like Pavan said, there is a time and a place. I was never personally attacked by it, but I did not appreciate it annoying people. I believe some of your own teammates were annoyed with it from what I saw. I also saw it go out of control near the cafeteria because the VEX controller has the same crystal as the VEX field nearby and almost knocked down the table. An appropriate place to use your robot would have been away from all the pits and away from high traffic walkways. Although it's a safety cone, it was causing many safety issues at IRI. It was funny at first, but after about two hours I was annoyed. I know the feeling that something you made is great and funny, but you need to keep in mind you are only one person. Other may follow pursuit in thinking it's funny, but I saw many people that did not enjoy its existence. I also saw the refs signaling for you to get it out of their way. At that point I would have understood that I have gone far enough with it and shut it off.

I'm sorry if I sound ungracious, but some things need to be told plain and simple.

25-07-2008 01:12

Mike Schreiber

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

I believe the rule would be meant for competition robots, as no one (at least that I've heard from) saw touching Alfred as an issue. Yes 1024 did work hard on him, but the purpose of such a robot is to entertain and therefore most likely interact. Besides it ran into me first! haha

On the topic of driving him on a road...VIDEO PLEASE, but that does seem slightly dangerous, and I'm sure there's probably some crazy law against it. Now I want one.

25-07-2008 01:20

Pavan Dave

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

I disagree completely. If I can't touch another competition robot then why can a non competition robot touch or harass me? I don't care if many people found it enjoying, the fact of the matter is MANY not just me and Ryan and a few random people were ANNOYED and NOT amused. Many people I spoke to, however fun they thought it was agreed that there is a time and place and said it was only fun for a few moments not for minutes of in your face action. I think they should make the rules to make NO exceptions for robots harassing humans without permission.


Pavan Dave


.

25-07-2008 02:15

AdamHeard

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

Indeed. It was interesting and all for a bit, but the horn got annoying. Also, It ran into me when i was walking to the field once. It didn't really hurt or anything, but it was annoying.

25-07-2008 08:13

GaryVoshol

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

Of course it's a real robot, but it wasn't a competition robot. If it had been broken by the wrapping, nothing would have come of it except taking it back to the shop on Monday and fixing it. If messing with a competition robot breaks it, it could put the team out of the game.

I was on the field so I didn't get the full effect of the roving barrel. I do remember thinking once or twice, "There's that horn again, it's kinda annoying." If it had been going off a lot in the pit area and commons, "kinda" would have escalated to "extremely".

It's a cute idea that has its uses. Sounds like some people thought it was taken too far.

25-07-2008 10:21

JaneYoung

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

Poor Albert seems to be getting bashed as well as saran wrapped.

I'd hate to see such a fun idea go down the tubes.

Could 2 Alberts be sectioned off in an area of unused hallway (or outside) and have races as a fundraiser? People who want to race pay a small fee to do so? Monies go to charity? Children of all ages have a blast?

Just a thought.

25-07-2008 10:45

AndyB

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

Out of curiosity, did anyone once ever ask the people driving it if they could avoid an area, or if it was really becoming as much of a problem as what you say (I'll take your word for it), did you ever consider to ask them to turn it off for a while?

It's one thing to completely bash it after the fact, but if it was becoming such a problem in all of your eye's, then why did no one do anything about it? You can't expect a situation to get better if you don't make an attempt to confront it.

25-07-2008 11:41

Elgin Clock

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

That instantly reminds me of the commercial on TV where 4 girls are standing in a ladies room complaining about how so much water is being wasted from the faucet running, & they all are talking & agreeing that someone should do something about it, but none of them do until a 5th woman finally comes over who heard them talking, & shuts it off.

And then the orginal 4 all walk away (sheepishly) because someone finally "stepped up" & took care of the problem, while the girl who shut it off just smiles.

Then there is some kind of tag line about taking action to solve a problem, & not just talking about it or something.

I know that's a little off tangent, but when I read your reply, I thought of that & thought it was relative.

25-07-2008 13:22

Richard Wallace

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

Maybe FIRST should include a road barrel in the 2009 kit of parts, and require teams to use it as their robot's outer shell? That could be an interesting alternative to the standard bumpers we have been required to use recently.

25-07-2008 13:45

JaneYoung

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

Living in Texas as I do, with rodeos around in the springtime, barrel racing takes on an exciting and adrenaline-pumped meaning. However, traffic barrel driving/racing/competing in FIRST reminds me of one of the clown acts in a circus when I think about it. Especially with the horns. That would be a great act for sure. A mime clown with an Albert the Road Barrel or 2 would be hysterical.

Richard, I know you are making a tongue-in-cheek remark, btw.

25-07-2008 14:40

IKE

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

Living in Michigan I get my fill of traffic barrels every summer. I believe someone nominated them as the state tree. Winter seems to be the only time that the barrels actually come down. If FIRST turned into a traffic jam of Orange barrels I would probably go nuts.

25-07-2008 15:40

GaryVoshol

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

What do you think those horses would do if one of the barrels suddenly started moving and honked?

25-07-2008 15:47

Protronie

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

I showed the pic of Albert to some folks I know in the business... they loved it.
How long would it take to have 450 units ready to ship and how much per unit?

Albert could be the next best thing to work zone safety since the arrow board.

25-07-2008 16:24

Bendavnel

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

Are you kidding me. i mean 450 this isnt a buisness that im running i just built a little well, a big toy. I had actually never thought about making them but they would be kinda cool. i would have to change the design a little to make it cheaper. and id have to price it all out and check it out. they wouldnt be to cheap though. id look into it if there is actually intrest though

Ben

25-07-2008 16:46

Karibou

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

Yet, there always do seem to be one or two floating around, even in sub-zero temperatures and several inches of snow. Seeing hundreds of orange barrels in the WINTER would be enough to drive me straight into an asylum

25-07-2008 17:21

JaneYoung

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

DQ for the guilty barrel.
--
In bullriding, the rodeo clowns use barrels (not cones/traffic barrels) for protection and distraction. I've seen some amazing work and have a very high regard/respect for those clowns. They know what they are doing.

25-07-2008 21:27

EricH

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

Spook. If that scares humans, then a horse will REALLY be scared. And if anyone's on that horse, they're coming off, most likely, when the horse spooks.[/offtopic]

On topic (somewhat): I'm inclined to agree with the definition of prank earlier in the thread. I was pranked today at work (it's a fun-loving place) by one of the other workers.

25-07-2008 23:59

Dan Petrovic

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

Oh this poor traffic barrel...

It was a really clever idea to have something like this driving around. We had the idea of making a grill drive around for our town's 4th of July parade., but... it just never happened.

However, I think it hung around in the most congested spot in the entire building: the pit entrance, a bit too much. I saw it run into many people and the honking... oh the honking...

It was the perfect robot to pick up and run away with. It wasn't a competition robot, it was sturdy, members of 1024 were good sports about it, and everyone else who saw the poor robot wrapped to the bench highly approved.

However, in hindsight, it probably wasn't a good idea to carry the bench to 1024's pit as that was near a high traffic area, as well...

26-07-2008 12:11

Raumiester2010

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

I agree that the cone was a great idea and would be great for PR. (and i am bummed that we didnt think of it first. koodos to you team 1024) though this is a great idea, i agree with InfernoX14 and probably many others when i say that it hung around too much in a crowded, congested spot and became overly annoying as the weekend went on. Also, I spent most of my time in the pits and every time it honked, even if it was on the other end of the pits, it startled me.

other than how annoying it got, it really was a good idea and i hope that 1024 doesn't discontinue Albert and i hope to see it at IRI next year (if we are invited again) i just ask you guys give the horn a little break.

26-07-2008 12:34

Bendavnel

Re: pic: IRI Prank #1

As one of the creators of Albert the robotic safety barrel i would like to apologize to anybody that was offended by him at IRI. It was not the not our intention to annoy anybody. It was just a little summer project that a couple of us from team 1024 decided to build. I was not able to be there all the time while albert was being driven around, so I was unaware of the problems he created and nerves that he tested until i read about it here on CD. I completely understand how his being in the commons and in the hallway to the fieldhouse would be distracting and problematic. I hope that i dont have to remove albert completely from FIRST events but tweaking the horn and how and where he is driven will certainly be taken into consideration for any future events. Sorry again for any problems he caused over the IRI weekend.

Ben