We're moving! As of right now, you can find us at our new home on the web, at TeamDuct Tape.com .
All our old blog posts are there, along with all our photos and videos, and all our resources and information, as well as some new features, like an event calendar, and dedicated sponsor and sponsorship information pages.
We hope you'll come check out our new website, and keep journeying with us on our FIRST Tech Challenge robotics adventure.
We've Moved!
Welcome to LIFE Robotics
Blog Archive
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Touring the Nanomaterials and Nanomanufacturing Research Center University of South Florida
Team Duct Tape was invited to tour the University of South Florida's Nanomaterials and The NNRC "is a university-wide user fabrication and metrology center providing state-of-the-art equipment, professional support personnel and infrastructure to enable multidisciplinary research in
nanomaterials and nanomanufacturing methods related to fundamental materials science, sensors, actuators, electronics, bio-systems, medical products, optics and integrated nanoscale systems. The Nanotech I facility supports research projects of faculty, graduates students, undergraduates, and industrial researchers."
In short, there was a lot to see there! Among the many fascinating things team members saw at the facility were:
- FIB Focused Ion Beam Microscope
- FEI Transmission Electron Microscope
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- Alcatel Deep Reactive Ion Etcher
- DI Atomic Force Microscope
- Class 1000 Cleanroom and Test Lab
- Panalytical X-Ray Diffractometer
- Vacuum Evaporators
- Microautomation Dicing Saw
- Probe Stations and Wire Bonders
All examining, dissecting, slicing, dicing, creating and bonding very, very, very tiny things. We were able to learn about the myriad applications of nanotechnology, ranging from medicine to household items, and to see mechanical engineering applied at a new level.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Thank You Florida West Coast Section of the ASME
Team Duct Tape would like to thank the Florida West Coast Section of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers for graciously sponsoring the team's participation in the Florida FTC State Championship, which will be held on February 28, 2009 at the University of South Florida Campus Recreation Center.
Team Duct Tape is deeply grateful to the FWCS-ASME for your generosity, and for your moral and academic encouragement. We will work hard to honor your trust and support by exemplifying FIRST ideals of excellence and Gracious Professionalism in all we do.
However we fare at the state tournament, your gifts of kindness, mentorship and expertise will sustain team members far beyond their high school robotics experience and well into their futures.
Thank you!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
New procedure for running matches at the FTC Florida State Championship
The FTC Florida State Championship will be held at the University of South Florida Campus Recreation Center on Saturday, February 28. The Florida FIRST Tech Challenge Operating Committee just received approval for a new way to manage competitions at the state event, in the hopes of remedying the overlong run times that have plagued some competitions here and across the country.
From Michael Coleman, Florida FTC Affiliate Partner:
Robotics competitions are complex to run, and there are many opportunities for slowdowns. We have made several changes over the course of this season that have improved our competitions.
Unfortunately, we haven't found a solution to two problems:
a) Long times for establishing Bluetooth connections between robots and the Field Management System prior to each match.
b) Logitech Controller drop-outs during the teleoperation portion of a match.
We need to have a system for running matches that is quick and reliable. Frankly, we are not quite there yet.
I received permission from FIRST to try a new system for running matches at the FTC Florida State Championship. I believe the new procedure will solve both of these nagging problems. The key points for how we will run matches at the Florida State Championship are as follows:
a) The software templates are MANDATORY. Many teams used the new templates at the last competition and they were extremely helpful for identifying problems during a match. FIRST recently made this a mandatory rule and we will enforce it at the competition.
b) Teams will use their own Notebook Computer, Logitech Controllers, Bluetooth Dongle and Robot for all matches played at the State Championship.
c) It is MANDATORY that teams install the FTC version of LabVIEW on their computers. This software is necessary to run the Field Management System software.
d) It is MANDATORY that teams install the most up to date version of the Field Management System software on their computers.
e) Teams will establish a Bluetooth connection between their computer and their NXT prior to leaving the pit area.
f) Teams will use the Field Management System on their computer to control their robot during a match.
g) Teams will demonstrate during software inspection their ability to have a self-contained system (notebook computer, Logitech controllers, Bluetooth dongle, etc.) for controlling their robot during a match. Power will be provided at the playing field and queueing areas for team use. It is expected that the team computer is able to operate on battery power when moved from the pit area to the queueing area and from the queuing area to the alliance station at the playing field.
It is STRONGLY suggested that teams immediately install the FTC version of LabVIEW and the Field Management System on their team notebook computer. Next, use this setup to practice driving the robot. It is MANDATORY that teams arrive at the Florida State Championship with the equipment and software needed to control their robot during a match. If your computer, Field Management System, robot, etc. don't work together at home, they will not work at the competition. Solve any problems before arriving at the competition.
We will have backup systems at the playing fields if a team computer breaks at the competition.
The Software Templates, Field Management System and Instructions are available on the www.ftctraining.com web site in the ROBOTC, NXT-G and LabVIEW sections.
Teams attending the state championship and interested in trying this procedure out, might want to consider attending the FTC Raytheon Cougar Challenge Scrimmage on February 8, 2009 at Countryside High School in Clearwater. Here are the details:
Raytheon is sponsoring a scrimmage on Sunday, February 8, 2009. We will test the new system for running matches at this scrimmage. The team capacity is 12 and teams sponsored by Raytheon will have priority. A minimum of three open slots are available for teams not
sponsored by Raytheon. Key points are:
a) Qualification style matches that follow all of the game and robot rules. We will not run elimination matches.
b) No judging.
c) Top three teams receive awards.
Date: Sunday, February 8, 2009
Time: Approximately 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Countryside High School
Address: 3000 State Road 580, Clearwater, Florida, 33761
Priority will be given to teams sponsored by Raytheon and teams that haven't received an invitation to the State Championship.
If you have questions about the new system or would like to attend this scrimmage, send an
email to Michael Coleman (michael.coleman@flfirst.org).
From Michael Coleman, Florida FTC Affiliate Partner:
Robotics competitions are complex to run, and there are many opportunities for slowdowns. We have made several changes over the course of this season that have improved our competitions.
Unfortunately, we haven't found a solution to two problems:
a) Long times for establishing Bluetooth connections between robots and the Field Management System prior to each match.
b) Logitech Controller drop-outs during the teleoperation portion of a match.
We need to have a system for running matches that is quick and reliable. Frankly, we are not quite there yet.
I received permission from FIRST to try a new system for running matches at the FTC Florida State Championship. I believe the new procedure will solve both of these nagging problems. The key points for how we will run matches at the Florida State Championship are as follows:
a) The software templates are MANDATORY. Many teams used the new templates at the last competition and they were extremely helpful for identifying problems during a match. FIRST recently made this a mandatory rule and we will enforce it at the competition.
b) Teams will use their own Notebook Computer, Logitech Controllers, Bluetooth Dongle and Robot for all matches played at the State Championship.
c) It is MANDATORY that teams install the FTC version of LabVIEW on their computers. This software is necessary to run the Field Management System software.
d) It is MANDATORY that teams install the most up to date version of the Field Management System software on their computers.
e) Teams will establish a Bluetooth connection between their computer and their NXT prior to leaving the pit area.
f) Teams will use the Field Management System on their computer to control their robot during a match.
g) Teams will demonstrate during software inspection their ability to have a self-contained system (notebook computer, Logitech controllers, Bluetooth dongle, etc.) for controlling their robot during a match. Power will be provided at the playing field and queueing areas for team use. It is expected that the team computer is able to operate on battery power when moved from the pit area to the queueing area and from the queuing area to the alliance station at the playing field.
It is STRONGLY suggested that teams immediately install the FTC version of LabVIEW and the Field Management System on their team notebook computer. Next, use this setup to practice driving the robot. It is MANDATORY that teams arrive at the Florida State Championship with the equipment and software needed to control their robot during a match. If your computer, Field Management System, robot, etc. don't work together at home, they will not work at the competition. Solve any problems before arriving at the competition.
We will have backup systems at the playing fields if a team computer breaks at the competition.
The Software Templates, Field Management System and Instructions are available on the www.ftctraining.com web site in the ROBOTC, NXT-G and LabVIEW sections.
Teams attending the state championship and interested in trying this procedure out, might want to consider attending the FTC Raytheon Cougar Challenge Scrimmage on February 8, 2009 at Countryside High School in Clearwater. Here are the details:
Raytheon is sponsoring a scrimmage on Sunday, February 8, 2009. We will test the new system for running matches at this scrimmage. The team capacity is 12 and teams sponsored by Raytheon will have priority. A minimum of three open slots are available for teams not
sponsored by Raytheon. Key points are:
a) Qualification style matches that follow all of the game and robot rules. We will not run elimination matches.
b) No judging.
c) Top three teams receive awards.
Date: Sunday, February 8, 2009
Time: Approximately 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Countryside High School
Address: 3000 State Road 580, Clearwater, Florida, 33761
Priority will be given to teams sponsored by Raytheon and teams that haven't received an invitation to the State Championship.
If you have questions about the new system or would like to attend this scrimmage, send an
email to Michael Coleman (michael.coleman@flfirst.org).
Thursday, January 29, 2009
More Pictures from USF Polytechnic RoboBattle
More pictures, courtesy of USF Polytechnic,of the recent RoboBattle qualifying event:
__________________
__________________
Please see the attached document and the links below for a few pictures and a video of the event.
http://picasaweb.google.com/
http://www.metroi4news.com/
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
For our FLL Friends: Roger Williams University Offers $200,000 in Scholarships to 2009 FIRST LEGO(R) League Team
Visit Roger Williams University for the complete story:
http://www.rwu.edu/newsandevents/news/firstlego012709.htm
BRISTOL, R.I.
Lakeland Minutes USF RoboBattle Videos
There are three nice, high quality videos of the USF Polytechnic RoboBattle on YouTube, courtesy of Lakeland Minutes. This one shows a bit of Team Duct Tape's robot trying ("trying" is the operative word) to get up the ramp.
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