Bots v Bots

FIRST General Forum
1

Posted by nick237 at 12/19/2000 11:35 PM EST

Engineer on team #237, sie h2o bots, from Watertown high school ct and sieman co.

I have been reading with great interest the discussions of FIRST ‘V’ Battle Bots and I think there’s a few small points that some of us are missing. Learning and Technology takes many forms and how this is achieved needs to be addressed.
Our Team has always been under the conception that learning is everything and winning although nice
’ ha ha ha ’ is secondary. Battle Bots is a degree of learning as is FIRST.
No one has mentioned Junk Yard Wars in the forums yet but in my mind to me this would be the ultimate challenge. In Junk Yard Wars one isn’t given the luxury of 6 weeks to build and construct for the task at hand like FIRST gives us.
In J Y W they ought to have a game where each team builds a robot in 10 hours to crush flat the guy with the megaphone screaming out the time thats left for building. As a member of the mechanical team for team 237, as we get to the end of the 6 weeks of building all the other members of the team keep reminding us of how much time we have left and are we going to end in time?
J Y W must be like that but only worse, I know its run by mostly adults and the odd Reverend and Grandmother but the stress must be colossal.
However if you watch the program carefully some of the ideas that materialize are quite ingenious and I have to wonder what would be built if these people had 6 weeks like we do.
I would like to see some students only have the chance at J Y W and see what they could do against a team of adults, the learning and teaching curve would keep me glued to the program.
Dont condemn what doesn’t interest you, try to look at a persons idea and in your mind think of what you would do to change it and why. Necessity is the mother of Invention but Reinvention makes it better.
nick 237

2

Posted by Peter Krumdieck at 12/20/2000 8:10 AM EST

Engineer on team #353, Pobots, from POB Central School District.

In Reply to: Bots v Bots
Posted by nick237 on 12/19/2000 11:35 PM EST:

: I have been reading with great interest the discussions of FIRST ‘V’ Battle Bots and I think there’s a few small points that some of us are missing. Learning and Technology takes many forms and how this is achieved needs to be addressed.
: Our Team has always been under the conception that learning is everything and winning although nice
: ’ ha ha ha ’ is secondary. Battle Bots is a degree of learning as is FIRST.
: No one has mentioned Junk Yard Wars in the forums yet but in my mind to me this would be the ultimate challenge. In Junk Yard Wars one isn’t given the luxury of 6 weeks to build and construct for the task at hand like FIRST gives us.
: In J Y W they ought to have a game where each team builds a robot in 10 hours to crush flat the guy with the megaphone screaming out the time thats left for building. As a member of the mechanical team for team 237, as we get to the end of the 6 weeks of building all the other members of the team keep reminding us of how much time we have left and are we going to end in time?
: J Y W must be like that but only worse, I know its run by mostly adults and the odd Reverend and Grandmother but the stress must be colossal.
: However if you watch the program carefully some of the ideas that materialize are quite ingenious and I have to wonder what would be built if these people had 6 weeks like we do.
: I would like to see some students only have the chance at J Y W and see what they could do against a team of adults, the learning and teaching curve would keep me glued to the program.
: Dont condemn what doesn’t interest you, try to look at a persons idea and in your mind think of what you would do to change it and why. Necessity is the mother of Invention but Reinvention makes it better.
: nick 237
Man, did I open a can-o-worms or what?

Anyway, I didn’t talk about JYW because, although the design demand is overwhelming, they don’t usually build 'bots and that’s why i didn’t mention it.

After last year (my rookie year) I have tremendous respect for anyteam in any sport that gets a 'bot up and running in 6 weeks, let alone 10 hours.

Nick makes a very interesting point, however, that in order to learn we have to overcome some pride, and take whatever learning we can from wherever it is offered. (Had I learned that lesson earlier in my life, I would have graduated from college in my early 20’s instead of my mid 30’s.)

Looking forward to a great season!

-pete

3

Posted by Joe Johnson at 12/20/2000 9:16 AM EST

Engineer on team #47, Chief Delphi, from Pontiac Central High School and Delphi Automotive Systems.

In Reply to: Re: Bots v Bots
Posted by Peter Krumdieck on 12/20/2000 8:10 AM EST:

Junk Yard Wars is great.

I am definitely interested in getting on that show.

Not only does it meet the ‘my mom and her friends are watching’ test but it is all about completing a task not destroying your opponent.

Beyond all this, how much time can it take? You’ve only got 10 hours! A typical FIRSTer can do that standing on his (or her) head.

Joe J.

4

Posted by Raul at 12/20/2000 1:42 PM EST

Engineer on team #111, Wildstang, from Rolling Meadows & Wheeling HS and Motorola.

In Reply to: I definitely want to be on JYW…
Posted by Joe Johnson on 12/20/2000 9:16 AM EST:

Me too. Can I be on your team?

Raul

5

Posted by Joe Johnson at 12/20/2000 1:57 PM EST

Engineer on team #47, Chief Delphi, from Pontiac Central High School and Delphi Automotive Systems.

In Reply to: Re: I definitely want to be on JYW…
Posted by Raul on 12/20/2000 1:42 PM EST:

Raul,

You and Me baby!

Now all we need is a welder/die grinder dude and a grease monkey type to get old engines running using a roll of barbed wire, a half empty Skol container and a ViceGrip pliers :wink:

Has anyone researched how to get on this show? I looked into it a while back, they basically had a message that ran along the lines of ‘we have all the teams we want right now, thank you very much – don’t call us we’ll call you.’

Any new info?

If you know, let us all know.

Joe J.

6

Posted by Jessica Boucher at 12/20/2000 3:18 PM EST

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

In Reply to: Raul the Magificent & Dr. Joe – sounds like a team!
Posted by Joe Johnson on 12/20/2000 1:57 PM EST:

: Now all we need is a welder/die grinder dude and a grease monkey type to get old engines running using a roll of barbed wire, a half empty Skol container and a ViceGrip pliers :wink:

Take Nick! We’ve been wanting him to do this show for a while, and he is brilliant when it comes to stuff like that. Plus, he’s British :slight_smile:

: Has anyone researched how to get on this show?

One of our other guys researched it and came up with an application that was 6 pages long…the link to the application site is on the bottom.

Some of the questions asked are:

Name:
Occupation / Job title:
Nickname(s) (go on, even the bad ones):
Address (inc. post code):
Email(s):
Daytime/work 'phone number:
Evening/home 'phone number:
Fax number(s):
Mobile 'phone:
Unusual hobbies:
Unusual skills/talents:
Interests/passions:
Amazing facts about you:
Team Name (And reason, if not obvious):
Team Bond (How do you know each other? Are you a family team? A team of sisters? A team of doctors?):
Team Interests (Have you ever built anything together, or do you belong to the same clubs, etc.):

After that is a small section about your experience in certain areas:
Welding
Cutting
Grinding
Sawing
Joining
Drilling
Turning
General Mechanics
General Electrics
Panel work (metal)
Familiarity with engines
Other (please specify - including professional skills and qualifications)
What would be you ideal challenge to build? Why?

And then theres a small section about your clothing sizes :slight_smile:

Each person needs to fill out one, and add to it a 3 minute video of anything they want.

Thats it! I would love to see a team of FIRST-ers (all from different teams) come together and go on this show. It would definetly boost morale, though it might be a tad hard to explain on the show. Plus, I heard the airfare was free :slight_smile:

-Jessica B, #237

7

Posted by Andrew Rudolph at 12/20/2000 5:50 PM EST

Student on team NASA KSC/Michael Krop Senior High School from Michael Krop Senior High School sponsored by NASA Kennedy Space Centre.

In Reply to: Ive got an idea!
Posted by Jessica Boucher on 12/20/2000 3:18 PM EST:

Must make team to go on scrapheap challenge!! Ive been ponering that for a long long time. It would be cool if they actually filmed one in the good ole US also then the best of both countries faced off in a super grand finale.

8

Posted by Justin Stiltner at 12/21/2000 4:00 PM EST

Student on team #388, Epsilon, from Grundy High School and NASA, American Electric Power, Town of Grundy.

In Reply to: hmm
Posted by Andrew Rudolph on 12/20/2000 5:50 PM EST:

: Must make team to go on scrapheap challenge!! Ive been ponering that for a long long time. It would be cool if they actually filmed one in the good ole US also then the best of both countries faced off in a super grand finale.

Hmmmm I cant weld but I am pretty good in the shop otherwise and im a great scrounger… can I be on the team also? … I think they have heard of FIRST and what we do and they are afrade that if they let an american FIRST team in that we will never be defeated and would make the English look bad.

Justin Stiltner
Team #388
Epsilon
Grundy Va,

9

Posted by Jessica Boucher at 12/22/2000 8:37 AM EST

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

In Reply to: Re: hmm
Posted by Justin Stiltner on 12/21/2000 4:00 PM EST:

Looks like we’re going to need more than one FIRST JYW team, with all the responses we have…that would be interesting, to see two FIRST teams battling it out in the JYW set. The two teams would have to treat eachother with excellent gracious professionalism, though :slight_smile:

-Jessica B, #237

10

Posted by Andy Baker at 12/22/2000 9:38 AM EST

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

In Reply to: Looks like…
Posted by Jessica Boucher on 12/22/2000 8:37 AM EST:

Gracious professionalism… ha!

…I spot the much-needed length of hydraulic hose about 10 meters away, in the middle of a mud puddle. As I jog over to the part, I see Raul reach down for the same section of tubing. I tackle him around the shoulders and we both tumble into the muck. Raul shoves his forarm into the back of my head as I taste mud. Wiping the slime from my face, I see Raul grab the hydraulic hose and race toward his team’s shop. I start after him, but then get whacked with one of Raul’s spinning side kicks. As I fall back down, into the mud, I remember… Raul is a blackbelt!

Hey… it’s a Friday.

Andy B.

ps… an application is being filled out.

11

Posted by Jessica Boucher at 12/23/2000 8:42 AM EST

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

In Reply to: Mudwrestling for parts
Posted by Andy Baker on 12/22/2000 9:38 AM EST:

>As I fall back down, into the mud, I remember… Raul is a >blackbelt!

::grin:: Anyway…I wonder how they would try to describe FIRST to the viewers…as far as I can remember, they do minute introductions of the team…try explaining FIRST in a minute, as well as introducing all the other team members separately.

Though, if it was two FIRST teams battling it out in the junkyard, they might take an extra bit of time to describe FIRST.

As far as I remember, the Battlebots interview with Ramtech 59 didn’t mention FIRST at all (even though the team made it clear that they were a FIRST team for people who knew FIRST, aka the lanyards, which was a nice touch).

Just curious (yet again),
Jessica B, #237

12

Posted by Raul at 12/23/2000 6:15 PM EST

Engineer on team #111, Wildstang, from Rolling Meadows & Wheeling HS and Motorola.

In Reply to: Mudwrestling for parts
Posted by Andy Baker on 12/22/2000 9:38 AM EST:

Andy,

That little story is pretty funny. In that situation all you would have to do is throw one of those cool looking Delphi shirts to the side and I would jump on it and forget about the hose :-). Beside that, I would hate to have to compete against you in anything.

Maybe I should join you in that football game you guys play at the All Star? How about adults against the students?

Raul

13

Posted by Greg Mills at 12/22/2000 1:42 PM EST

Engineer on team #16, Baxter Bomb Squad, from Mountain Home and Baxter Healthcare.

In Reply to: Ive got an idea!
Posted by Jessica Boucher on 12/20/2000 3:18 PM EST:

:
My Dad (recently retired after 45 years Industrial Maint.), myself, and my Architect son are on the list. We are hoping that they like the idea of a Father, Son & Grandson team!

Greg

14

Posted by Bill Beatty at 12/21/2000 10:35 AM EST

Other on team #71, Team Hammond, from Team Hammond.

In Reply to: Raul the Magificent & Dr. Joe – sounds like a team!
Posted by Joe Johnson on 12/20/2000 1:57 PM EST:

Allstar FIRST team? Too many members.

15

Posted by Justin at 12/21/2000 7:18 PM EST

Other on team Blue Lightning Alumni Association from RWU sponsored by FIRST-A-holics Anonymous.

In Reply to: Raul the Magificent & Dr. Joe – sounds like a team!
Posted by Joe Johnson on 12/20/2000 1:57 PM EST:

…Engineering world one Comp. at a time :wink:

While I don’t know Joe increidbly well…just from his posts I can totally see him on Junkyard Wars. I think I know lots of FIRST people that would be quite good on that show. So since we’ve already determined we can give the battle bots a run for their money w/out robots Brawn. I’m willing to bet we can give those brits a run for thier money with our Brains :wink: :wink:

‘FIRST Conquering the Engineering world one Comp. @ a time.’ ‘Resistance is futile…you will be assimilated.’ :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

-Justin

P.S. Um I’m not really a grease monkey but I think it’d be cool to drive the ATV around… :wink:

16

Posted by colleen – T190 at 1/3/2001 2:14 PM EST

Engineer on team #190, Gompei, from Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science and WPI.

In Reply to: FIRST conquering the…
Posted by Justin on 12/21/2000 7:18 PM EST:

we should try and work with the other robotics competitions… promote the concept of engineering and robotics competitioins as a whole… no matter what one people want to join…

I think there would be a better PR push around the world if there are 3 or4 HUGE groups of people saying ‘engineering is cool… do it…’

17

Posted by Mike Carron at 12/20/2000 11:34 PM EST

Engineer on team #343, Oconee’s 2000 Crew, from Hamilton Career Center and Nasa/Square D Company.

In Reply to: I definitely want to be on JYW…
Posted by Joe Johnson on 12/20/2000 9:16 AM EST:

I with you too Joe. Let’s do JYW!
Later,
Mike Carron
Team 343 Project Mgr.

18

Posted by “MOE” at 12/21/2000 9:46 PM EST

Coach on team #88, TJ2, from Bridgewater-Raynham Reg. High School and Johnson & Johnson .

In Reply to: I definitely want to be on JYW…
Posted by Joe Johnson on 12/20/2000 9:16 AM EST:

HELLOOoooooo
I think this would be a great time (JYW). If we find the time, after 6 weeks this should be a snap???
YEP put us in TEAM 88 TJ2 and MOE.
Hope all have a great HOLIDAY SEASON
See you soooooon MOE