The hurrier I go the behinder I get

Good Morning Teams,

We completed FRC Judge Advisor training last weekend and are now preparing for FTA training this weekend.  Our FTAs are dedicated volunteers and I appreciate their enthusiastic participation in this annual event here in snowy Manchester, NH.  We’ll have the FTAs set up and tear down a 2011 field, we thoroughly brief them on the rules and scoring system, then run a few matches.  This way the FTAs and FRC engineering staff can review game and field performance in a controlled environment before the competition season begins.  The FTAs will depart prepared for the competition season and the engineering staff can address any bugs we find during the rigorous testing.  We’re determined to make 2011 the best FRC season ever.

Training for other key event volunteers is scheduled throughout the month of February, mostly on line and via conference calls.  Volunteer coordinators still recruiting volunteers for regional events.  If you know of someone who wants to help out at a competition have them go to www.usfirst.org/vims to sign up. 

As your team is preparing for 2011, please remember to check the bi-weekly team updates on the usfirst website and make sure rookie teams in your area know that this is the only place where official updates to the Game Manual are posted.

Also, keep in mind the deadline to submit for FIRST Dean’s List, Chairman’s Award, Woodie Flowers Award and the Website Award is February 17th which is only 21 days away.  Details are available on our website and submission for the Chariman's Award, Woodie Flowers Award and the Website Award is done by your team’s student submitters in STIMS.  Submission for the FIRST Dean's List is done by the team main contact in TIMS.

Remember, if you submit for the Chairman’s Award, you have to bring your video with you to the interview.  New this year: no video, no interview.

Also new this year:  instead of bronze participation medallions, all teams will receive 25 game logo themed participation pins.

The FTC rookie team incentive is still available for FRC teams.  If your FRC team supports the development of a new FTC team before March 30, 2011, the new FTC team will receive a $200 discount on the 2010-2011 season registration, and your FRC team will receive a $500 credit on the 2012 season registration. 

February 24th is Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day.  If your school is interested in participating in Allegro Production’s Virtual Scientist Guest Lecturer Series contact Fallon@ssrvideo.net for more information.  Deadline to register is Friday, February 11 at 5pm EST.,

26 days to Robot Ship
See you then!

Also of interest

Good Afternoon Teams,

There are tentative plans to open the FRC Pits at the FIRST Championship earlier this year.  FRC Pits are scheduled to open on Wednesday, April 27th from 5:00pm to 9:30pm to access your robot.  Similar to last year, the FOCUS WILL BE ON GETTING YOUR ROBOT READY FOR INSPECTION.

The FRC Kickoff Workshops held on Friday, January 7th were recorded and are posted here: http://thinktank.wpi.edu/tag/1005.

The Beta version of Virtual Technical Advisor (VTA) is now open.  Visit https://my.usfirst.org/FIRSTPortal/Login/Virtual_login.aspx.  If your team needs technical help, put in a request for assistance.  The system will match teams with technical advisors.

If you are programming your robot in LabVIEW, be sure to check out http://www.frcmastery.com/.  The site has been updated for the 2011 season.

This past Saturday, January 15th, we had all of the Lead Robot Inspectors (LRI) here at Headquarters for training.  Stay tuned for a group picture.  During all 2011 FRC Competitions (Regionals, District Events, State Championship, and Championship), robots will be subjected to a weight inspection and a brief safety inspection before competing in elimination rounds.  Be advised robots may be selected for re-inspection at the request of the LRI, Referees, FTA, etc...if necessary.  Teams are reminded that they always have the option to appeal any inspection decision to the Lead Robot Inspector (LRI).  Documentation will go a long way in appealing your case.

FIRSTChoice is now closed and early feedback has been positive.  My blog on Friday, January 14th stated that IF there was a surplus of mini bot kits there would be the possibility of making them available to FRC teams in a limited window.  There are no additional mini bot kits leftover for sale.  FRC teams without a mini bot kit will need to work with other teams or obtain the mini bot materials on their own.  FRC teams that loan out their mini bot will earn co-opertition points.

You can help make robot ship day go smoothly by assigning one member of your team to read up on the Bag and Tag process http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/content.aspx?id=3570 if you are attending a Bag and Tag event.  Double check your shipping documents now http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/content.aspx?id=3570
if you are attending a traditional event.

34 days to Robot Ship
See you then!

To Bot or Not

Good Afternoon Teams,

It has come to my attention that there seems to be some confusion about the FRC mini bot.  If your team has decided to build a mini bot for 2011, (Yes, you can compete without a mini bot.) there are a few things you should know. 

• FRC teams are encouraged, but NOT required to work with FTC teams.  As much as we would like to promote cross-program co-opetition, you don’t need an FTC team to compete in LOGO MOTION.
• If you can’t find a FTC team to work with during the 2011 season, we put together 1700 FTC mini kits and made them available to FRC teams through the FIRSTChoice process.
• The mini-bots you saw climb poles during the Kickoff videos were constructed primarily from the FTC mini kit.  (We added zip ties and other minor items.)
• There are 284 FTC mini kits still available as of 11:06 am today, and there is still time to order before FIRSTChoice closes 8PM ET on Sunday, January 16th. Teams may choose a maximum of one (1) FTC mini kit as part of their three free items.  All your team has to do is pay shipping costs. 
• If any FTC mini kits remain after the deadline, we’re looking at the possibility of making them available to FRC teams during a limited sales window.  Details will be released next week.
• Teams may use components not included in the FTC mini kit as long as those components comply with the rules set out in the 2011 FRC Game Manual. 
• If your team has any questions about the mini-bots, or any other aspect of LOGO MOTION, please visit our Q&A forum. 

39 days to Robot Ship
See you then!

14 inches and counting

Good Afternoon Teams,

Well, it’s snowing sideways here again.  We have over a foot of snow already and it doesn’t look like it’s going to stop anytime soon.  The FRC staff are hard at work filling orders for teams who submitted replacement parts requests in TIMS and preparing for robot ship and the first week of competitions.

The replacement parts request system closes tonight, Wednesday at 8PM ET even if it’s snowing where you are.  Get your requests in.

FIRSTChoice is open.  Please remember teams are permitted to order a maximum of 3 items.

If you’re stick in a snow bank with nothing to do, take a minute to watch the top six safety animations.  We had 86 teams submit videos.  If your team decides to make a safety animation for next year, keep in mind, the limit is a limit and the theme is important.   Those were the first two hurdles these teams had to overcome on their way to making it to the top.

My thanks to all of you who voted for the top three games from the last 19 seasons.  The results in descending order are:

• 2010 Breakaway
• 2006 Aim High
• 2008 FIRST Overdrive
• 2007 Rack ‘n Roll
• 2009 Lunacy

If you’re frozen, confused by the game, the Q&A forum opened today.  Members of the GDC are eager to read your questions about LOGO MOTION.  Check the whole forum before you post to see if your question has already been asked.  If your question is original, it still won’t appear until the GDC has an answer for you.

If you’re stuck on anything else having to do with FRC, email FRCTeams@usfirst.org or call 1-800-871-8326 x0

If you’re dreaming of spring and the start of competition season, we have a few slots open at the Regional Events listed below.  (Events are listed from most spaces available to least spaces available.) If your team is interested in attending an additional event, send an email to FRCTEams@usfirst.org and we’ll see what we can do about getting you in.

Bayou
Duluth
Oklahoma
Wisconsin
Seattle
Kansas City
Hawaii
Toronto
Las Vegas
Lone Star
Peachtree
Utah
Fingerlakes
Arizona
Palmetto
Buckeye
Oregon
Midwest
Washington DC
New Jersey
Silicon Valley
Connecticut
North Carolina
Colorado
Florida
Boston

As you prepare for competition, please remember Dean’s homework and include the word FIRST whenever you refer to your team or team number.

Cross your mittened fingers, we’ve applied for a trademark for LOGO MOTION and are awaiting the results.

41 days to Robot Ship
See you then!

Has it only been two days?

Good Afternoon Teams,

First things first, our website is up and running.  It’s just a little slow because of all the traffic.  You can view everything having to do with LOGO MOTION here.

Recordings of the live broadcast are available on NASA and here.

FIRSTChoice opened last night at midnight. Make your selections soon.

And for those of you who tweeted questions that we couldn’t get to on Saturday, the Q&A forum open Wednesday at noon. Please post your questions for the GDC there.

Its important that you reimage your Classmate if you plan to use it in 2011. You can find detailed directions in How to Set up Your 2011 Driver Station.  If you want to use another computer as your Driver Station, simply download the Driver Station software and install.

Dean’s homework applies to us all so please note I’m including FIRST in my caption:  Will.i.am and FIRST FRC Director Bill.i.am “in motion” at the 2011 FIRST Robotics Competition Kickoff in Manchester, NH.

43 days to Robot Ship
See you then!

Is Everybody Ready?

Good Morning Teams,

If you aren’t going to a local kickoff, you can still view the live broadcast.  There will be an option to watch a captioned version of the kickoff on the webcast.  Details are coming to that page soon.

New this year I will be tweeting during kickoff.  You can follow me @FRCTeams or watch for #frcko.  When the GDC asks for your input please tweet directly to @FRCTeams.

What can you do now to get ready for Saturday?

• Back up all files you have on your classmate.  
• Print out your team’s roster in TIMS and collect paper copies of the Consent and Release form from anyone attending kickoff who didn’t sign the form on line.
• Download the encrypted game manual.  It will be posted by 2PM ET today.
• Double check your team’s access to FIRSTChoice and make sure you’re ready to order
• Bookmark the Team Updates page
• Review the Q&A system for 2011 
• Send a message to be included in the live broadcast
• Clean out the vehicle your team is using to bring home the Kit of Parts.  Veteran kits will weigh 95lb and rookie kits weigh 140lb.  Make sure you have room.
• Schedule a time to inventory your kit of parts so that you can complete the Replacement Parts Request system in TIMS before the 8PM deadline on January 12th.
• Get some sleep.  It might be your last chance before February 22nd.

3 days to Kickoff
See you then!

4 Days to Kickoff

Good Morning Teams,

I hope you had a great holiday!  We are working diligently to get ready for Kickoff.

For anyone interested, the second official game hint is here: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/content.aspx?id=18713

Get ready.  The season is upon us!  See you on Saturday.

4 Days to Kickoff
See you then!