2008 Woodie Awards
WCC, WTMC compete in FIRST Robotics at EMU
Dylan Stoll
Issue date: 3/26/07 Section: Science & Technology
- Page 1 of 1
Earlier this month Eastern Michigan University hosted the 2007 FIRST Robotics Competition Great Lakes Regional. Washtenaw Technical Middle College and Washtenaw Community College were represented by team 1549, the Fire TraXX.
The competition consisted of one day of practice rounds on March 8 and two days of competition on March 9 and 10. This year, teams were challenged to build a robot capable of picking up inflatable pool rings and placing them on pegs on a large structure known as "the rack". At the competition teams were randomly sorted into alliances of three, and points were given for placing pool rings on the rack in rows and for getting your alliance partners' robots off the ground at the end of the match.
The Fire TraXX decided to make their robot have a strong drive system for playing defense, and to design their robot so that their alliance partners could drive up on it. With this in mind, they built a rectangular robot with a flat top and folding ramps for their alliance partners. Instead of wheels on their robot, they used small tank treads from a snow-blower.
At the competition, there were a wide variety of robot designs. Many teams had ramps like the Fire TraXX, or lifting systems for getting their alliance partners off the ground. Most teams had a claw, some of which were very complex, for picking up pool tubes.
Upon arriving at the competition, the Fire TraXX discovered that they had a problem; the electronics on their robot did not comply with the rules. They had to spend about two hours fixing it, but this setback they still managed to tie the first match that they played.
The rest of the competition was exciting and fast-paced for the Fire TraXX, including a 16-0 win on their first day of competition. They also received numerous complements from other teams about their robot, and robot transportation cart which features a stereo and neons.
Due to faulty gearboxes and a few smaller problems the Fire TraXX did not make it to the finals this year. But with what they learned from this year, some new team members and the possibility of sponsorship on the horizon, the Fire TraXX eagerly look forward to next years competition and the chance to "bring home the gold".
If you are interested in joining the Fire TraXX, please contact Gary Schultz at gschultz@wccnet.edu.
You can also check out the team's website at www.myspace.com/firetraxx1549.
The competition consisted of one day of practice rounds on March 8 and two days of competition on March 9 and 10. This year, teams were challenged to build a robot capable of picking up inflatable pool rings and placing them on pegs on a large structure known as "the rack". At the competition teams were randomly sorted into alliances of three, and points were given for placing pool rings on the rack in rows and for getting your alliance partners' robots off the ground at the end of the match.
The Fire TraXX decided to make their robot have a strong drive system for playing defense, and to design their robot so that their alliance partners could drive up on it. With this in mind, they built a rectangular robot with a flat top and folding ramps for their alliance partners. Instead of wheels on their robot, they used small tank treads from a snow-blower.
At the competition, there were a wide variety of robot designs. Many teams had ramps like the Fire TraXX, or lifting systems for getting their alliance partners off the ground. Most teams had a claw, some of which were very complex, for picking up pool tubes.
Upon arriving at the competition, the Fire TraXX discovered that they had a problem; the electronics on their robot did not comply with the rules. They had to spend about two hours fixing it, but this setback they still managed to tie the first match that they played.
The rest of the competition was exciting and fast-paced for the Fire TraXX, including a 16-0 win on their first day of competition. They also received numerous complements from other teams about their robot, and robot transportation cart which features a stereo and neons.
Due to faulty gearboxes and a few smaller problems the Fire TraXX did not make it to the finals this year. But with what they learned from this year, some new team members and the possibility of sponsorship on the horizon, the Fire TraXX eagerly look forward to next years competition and the chance to "bring home the gold".
If you are interested in joining the Fire TraXX, please contact Gary Schultz at gschultz@wccnet.edu.
You can also check out the team's website at www.myspace.com/firetraxx1549.
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