“Because Robots!” is going to be a theme that we’d like to pursue throughout our outreach activities next year.  It involves campaigning throughout our community while spreading our interest of robotics to all people.  We think that a program like this can help quantify the impact we have on people, because it really gets them to think about robots and technology, and then gives us a reminder about the people we affected. Wherever there are people to be inspired, we will be there!

We will also be opening up a website at www.becauserobots.org where people can share links and videos about exciting new developments in robotics with other people.  It will be an exciting online community where people can get inspired with new ideas.

Be sure to stay tuned for more updates about this exciting new program, and remember, Because Robots!

Some of the ongoing projects and activities are:

1) Year End Report
-Google
-Western Digital
2) Chronograph Speed Sensor
-Measures the speed of balls; can be used for shooter testing
3) Drivetrain Design
4) Key Tracker
-Make improvements
-Implement a line follower as a side project
5) Auto Aim Improvements
6) 2CAN Reliability
7) Control System Improvemnts
-Drivetrain
8) IMU
-Move I²C communications to BeagleBoard
-Auto-balancing
9) Second Workstation
-Specify parts
-Assemble
10) GibbsCAM
-CNC wheels
-Write down questions
11) Local Machine Shop Sponsor
-Plasma cutting
-Laser cutting
-Water jetting
-Power cutting
12) Prony Brake
13) Constant Force Spring Motor
14) Broach Press
15) Team Schedule for Build Season
16) Build Season Report: What Worked and What Didn’t
-Annual report
-Weekly report on schedule/progress
17) BotBall
18) Demos
-Sponsors
-Middle schools
19) Physics Turntable
20) Website Improvements
-Add content
-Technical improvements
21) High Altitude Balloon
22) CD Bot
23) Battery Tester
24) Because Robots!
25) Ideas on How to Make the Club More Fun
-Remote controlled cars

If you have any more ideas, come in and share them with us!

The purpose of National Robotics Week is to:

• Celebrate the US as a leader in robotics technology development
• Educate the public about how robotics technology impacts society, both now and in the future
• Advocate for increased funding for robotics technology research and development
• Inspire students of all ages to pursue careers in robotics and other Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math-related fields

Why is robotics important?

• Robotics technology is a growing industry which creates high-tech jobs in the US
• Robotics technologies are helping to improve healthcare, national defense, homeland security, energy, manufacturing, logistics, transportation, agriculture, education, consumer goods, and many other sectors
• Robotics provides an exciting, hands-on way for students to learn Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

Learn more at: http://www.nationalroboticsweek.org/

In the quarterfinals, the alliance took on Teams 1538, 1280, and 2035. The first match was a nail-biter, as Alliance 800 only lost by 5 points, with the final score of 46-41. Unfortunately, in the second match, the Tail of the Monkey’s 2CAN failed to boot up properly, which meant that it would be unable to operate during the match. Because of this, Team 846 and the 6th alliance suffered a 52-16 defeat.

Although the Funky Monkeys were unable to win the regional, the team was able to win the Innovation in Control Award sponsored by Rockwell Automation. The team also received very positive feedback for the Chairman’s Award. Hopefully, the Funky Monkeys will be able to come back even stronger next year and be even more successful!

• When: March 29-31, 9:00AM-5:00 each day
• Where: San Jose State University – Directions
• Who: Everyone

Please direct comments or questions about this repository to FRC12_rules@lynbrookrobotics.com.

Links:

• Game Manual
]]> http://lynbrookrobotics.com/announcements/kickoff/feed/ 0 http://lynbrookrobotics.com/announcements/live-webcast-of-kickoff/ http://lynbrookrobotics.com/announcements/live-webcast-of-kickoff/#comments Sun, 08 Jan 2012 03:41:13 +0000 vincentyao http://lynbrookrobotics.com/?p=3890 On Saturday, January 7th, the 2012 FIRST Robotics Competition game will be announced. NASA will be streaming a live webcast of the entire kickoff event, which starts at 7:30 AM PST. The link to the webcast is: http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/robotics/.

The encrypted game manual can be downloaded at http://www3.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/competition-manual-and-related-documents.

Update: The live stream has concluded.

]]> http://lynbrookrobotics.com/announcements/live-webcast-of-kickoff/feed/ 0 http://lynbrookrobotics.com/announcements/happy-new-year/ http://lynbrookrobotics.com/announcements/happy-new-year/#comments Sat, 07 Jan 2012 06:47:55 +0000 vincentyao http://lynbrookrobotics.com/?p=3824 Happy New Year everyone!

Don’t forget, kickoff is just right around the corner, on Saturday, January 7th, 2012!

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