Well it was good to see 2921B and C robot do well in the last skirmish. 2921C got into the quarter finals and 2921B got into the semi finals with a good aliance (avondale) and went against another avondale robot and rangitoto collage. the first round was a fair win to rangitoto and avondale. And the second round avondale's (on the 2921B side) robot didn't work due to firmware corruption (default program) but even then it was a close match with 2v1. Over all it was a great scrimmage and good experience. lets hope we do better and bring home the trophy at the NZ nationals.
Ethan
Free Range Robotics enters the Vex Website Challenge
Written by Michael Lawton
We are the first team to enter the "Robotics Team/Club Website" vex design challenge!
There is a robotics boot camp and scrimmage on at Rangitoto College on the 8th to 9th of August starting at 9am until 4pm. Come and have some fun!!!
Letter to Sponsors
Written by Patrick Walmsley
Thank you everyone, for your support of our team, Free Range Robotics, in our endeavours at the World Championships in Dallas. This competition had some huge excitement. A couple of highlights were our first two games; Each of these games is played by four teams: two blue teams versus two red teams. We are paired up randomly. In both of the first two games our partners were unable to play, so we played alone against two robots and we won both games. This immediately made our standing with everyone rocket up; it really showed the world what New Zealanders and homeschoolers are made of.
TV ONE - Kiwi kids shine in world robotic competition
Homeschool Team Win at 2009 Vex Robotics World Championships
Written by Mark Lawton
Free Range Robotics receiving the world title in programming skills. From left to right Richard Paul, Kane Ross, Michael Lawton, Isaac Harrold, Ethan Harrold, Mark Lawton, Rhiannon Waller, Terry Allen, Patrick Walmsley, John Waller, Max Waller
Auckland Homeschool Team Free Range Robotics took away two awards at the 2009 Vex Robotics World Championships held 30th April - 2nd May in Dallas, Texas.
They won the World Championship title for Programming Skills where they had to design and programme a robot to navigate over a field and score goals in a one minute period without any human intervention.
Remember all the latest news articles including this one are listed here.
Free Range Robotics Celtic Fundraiser Dance!
Written by Michael Lawton
You are invited to the
Free Range Robotics Celtic Fundraiser Dance!
Where: Carey Park, 397 Henderson Valley Rd Map When: Sunday 5th April; 7pm - about 10pm What: Dancing, Food, Demonstrations of "Free Range" (the robot), Live Music Cost: $10pp; $35 per family
All to raise money for the Homeschool Robotics team who are heading to America to represent NZ in the world championships!
Be prepared to have fun! All ages welcome.
Please bring: yourself, a smile, and a plate and non-alcoholic drink to share for supper
Twelve Auckland teenagers have a date in Dallas next month after manoeuvring their machines to victory in a fast and furious final of a robotics competition on the Albany campus at the weekend.
Two teams made up of Avondale College pupils and home-schooled children will compete at the Vex World Championships on April 30 after winning the New Zealand national finals at Massey University this weekend. The alliance was declared tournament champions from a field of 31 teams.
Competition convener Dr Johan Potgeiter, a senior lecturer at the School of Engineering and Advanced Technology, says it was a lot of fun. "The winning alliance collaborated on their software and they were both awesome," he says. "Home school's robot, Free Range Robotics, was absolutely brilliant. In one task it picked up multiple cubes and threw them out of the ring in a real show of strength, while Avondale College's robot, Binary Blitz A, was extremely fast."
Tech-savvy teenagers from around the country will unleash their specially designed robots in a New Zealand Vex robotics competition at the Albany campus on Friday and Saturday.
The two best teams will be able to compete in the world championship in Dallas, Texas, next month.
The competition involves 31 teams of six pitting their remote-controlled creations against each other to complete tasks in the fastest time.
Started in the United States, Vex robotics has been gathering momentum in New Zealand since being launched by the University's School of Engineering and Advanced Technology at Albany last year.
2921c - the first prototype at least - is almost finished! We need to replace the chain with high strength chain or tank tread, and stop some of the balls getting stuck (the orange balls were getting stuck quite often). We also need to put a stopper so the sucker doesn't go to low, and put rubber bands on it to keep it pressing down on the balls. The sucker needs to start a little more inwards to fit within 18" and not go so far out. There are not enough ports for all the sensors we wanted so we have to go without the bumber switches on the front.
2921c Development
Written by Michael Lawton
We have been working all day on the robot. We finished the other tower and attached our basket, then we figured out how to extend our sucker assembly (which took a long time!).
Another 2921c Update
Written by Michael Lawton
We have been doing some more work on the robot the evening. We ran into problems with the towers on the back mounting two motors on each side , so we rebuilt the right side. The tower on the right is now finished, but we need to duplicate it on the other side. Also, we mounted our last wheel. We are planning to get the robot finished by Thursday so we can test it at Massey University, and then play at the scrimmage on Saturday.
More 2921c Development Photos
Written by Michael Lawton
We've been building the lifter basket/sucker today. The wheel-legs are going to be mounted on slide rails, so at the start of the game they can extend. Also, we are thinking of making the base of the basket of motorised chains, with a shaft of intake rollers at the front. We have measured the front of the basket/sucker assembly to be 24" high when raised.
New Robot
Written by Michael Lawton
After the motat scrimmage, 2921c have decided to make a new design. We are going to make a four bar lifter on an omnidirectional base, with leg-wheels or vexplorer wheels for the sucker (similer to 2921b).
Final Day
Written by Rhiannon Waller
Hi everyone, We had a gripping final day of competition, then straight to the event dinner function. We arrived back at our hotel at 11:30pm and had to pack up the robots, and all the tools etc, and our own stuff, grab a couple of hours sleep and up again at 4am to start travels home. So I haven't had a moment to send an update.
The final day started early, as usual: In the team pit, sorting jobs for the day, getting the robot loaded up with programmes, and especial attention to scouting for potential alliance partners. We won our games and stayed at the top of our tournament division for the qualifying rounds. This meant we had literally 10 minutes to come together and discuss who out of the other 139 teams we should invite to join us in the finals matches. That was really tough - because we had had only 3 scouts to go out and watch games.
Today was a very exciting day! Each team has only 6 qualifying matches to get a chance to be in the quarter finals. We won all five of our matches today, and we have one more tomorrow. Even more exciting is that Free Range Robotics the Home school team, are coming first on the placing board! This is out of a draw of 140 teams. The other 140 teams that are here in Dallas are playing off each other in a parallel tournament to ours, and the champion team of each division gets to play in the Grand Final. It looks like we have a good chance at the title! Match one score was, 36 to 30, we had NO alliance partner, as they did not show up at all! So we played against 2 opposing robots on our own. And won! Match two, 46 to 19, we also had no alliance partner again (their robot was disqualified for being over size just as we set up on the field) but we managed to win convincingly. Match three 37 to 24. Match four, 40 to 36. Match five, 44 to 21 We have our last qualifying match tomorrow which will be followed by the finals in the afternoon.
Today was the first day of the robotics championships - registrations, set up and practice, and of course scouting. We set up our pit with the NZ flag and our team banner and it looks very good! We had the robot inspected and our programming checked and all was ok. The drive team of Max, Ethan and Kane spent time practicing on the elevated platforms (quite a different feel from the floor level we had for our competitions in NZ), and had a practice competing round on the competition fields. Isaac and I went scouting, met some other teams and found out about their robots. It's important to know the other teams that you might play against or be in an alliance with.. Got some cool as stuff from some of the teams! Like flags, bracelets, badges, lollipops, all sorts really! We bought some more robot parts today, as we had to repair a few things. Most of the stuff that happened today was a bit of a big blur of people (Everywhere!) Pits, badges, and everything! Everyone was exhausted by about 4, but the day goes until 7pm. So after the day had finished, and it was really humid outside, we just dragged back to the hotel. There are a lot of teams here, but there a few teams missing, due to the flu alert.
I'm Rhiannon Waller, and I will be keeping you up to date while the team is in America with the aim of bringing home the VEX World Champion trophy! The team who are in Dallas are: Patrick - team captain and pit manager; Max - driver coach; Kane and Ethan - robot drivers; Michael - programmer; pit crew is - (and other tasks) Richard (programmer, scout), Isaac (scout, photographer) and me, Rhiannon (scout, communications). We are supported by adult leaders and mentors, who help keep us on task. Over the last few weeks in the build up to the competition Michael and Richard have been working amazingly hard on the programming, and have even learnt a few things along the way! Craig and Mark have been working very hard organizing fundraising opportunities! Terry, John and Patrick have been sizzling their heads to the bone with all this organizing that has to be done! Max, Ethan and Kane have been practicing driving everyday for past few weeks, and Isaac and I have been doing all the other preparation jobs so that we have everything ready.
This information is for all school robotic teams attending the scrimmage this weekend Saturday 30th – Sunday 31st January.
Team members competing on the day and direct support crew (coaches, mentors and teachers) will have free entry to the Museum. (We are limited to the amount of free entries we have).
The New Website is now live www.vexrobotics.co.nz same URL but a lot different. Have a look around and send us feedback.
Also the next order date is 14th January, please have all orders to me by 4pm. Check out this link ‘How to order parts’ for more information.
VEX New Season Updates and News
Written by Maurice Tipene
Hi Everyone,
Hopefully the Christmas/New Years break has been treating you all well! I know it’s early in the year but I have a few notices that I need to get out so here goes:
Firstly, there is a two day Scrimmage being held at MOTAT (Auckland) on January 30th – 31st(Doors open at 10:00am, games will start at 10:30am – 4pm both days), it will be a normal scrimmage but held over two days with big crowds coming and going.
Massey University Albany is having their annual degree show for Engineering and Food Technology final year projects.
Attached is the invitation for and anyone else who you think might be interested in going.
Feel free to pass it on to anyone who may be interested in Engineering or Food Technology, it will give them a good insight into what students do in these courses.
SCRIMMAGE THIS WEEKEND 26-Sep
Written by Maurice Tipene
Hey All,
This weekend is the scrimmage at AVONDALE COLLEGE details on the website http://vexrobotics.co.nz/events.asp , the venue will be open at 9am with a 10am kick off!
THIS COMPETITION WILL HAVE AUTONOMOUS
IF YOU DON’T HAVE AUTONOMOUS DON’T WORRY (IT WILL JUST MEAN THAT YOU DON’T DO ANYTHING FOR THE FIRST 20 SECONDS OF THE MATCH. (REMEMBER TO BRING TETHER CABLES ETC. YOU WILL BE WIRED INTO THE FIELD).
If anyone requires any extra information contact myself or Johan.
Scrimmage - Massey University recreation Centre, Sat 12 Sept 10.00am start
Written by Celeste Power
Reminder!!
The next VEX scrimmage will be held this weekend at the Massey University Recreation Centre (it is also Massey University Albany’s Open Day), kick off at 10.00am.
Please note that there will be NO AUTONOMOUS PLAY this weekend (which differs from what is stated on the VEX Robotics website).
See you there!
VEX Scrimmage - Saturday 29 August at Onehunga High School
Written by Celeste Power
Hi everyone
The next scrimmage for this season is being held this weekend on
Saturday 29 August at Onehunga High School, starting at 10.00am!
Driving directions to Onehunga High School can be found on the website www.vexrobotics.co.nz and the scrimmage will be held in the main school hall, behind the Marae (parking available on street).
As at previous scrimmage events, food and drinks will be able to be purchased all day
(e.g. bacon rolls, hot chips, sausage sizzle, soft drinks etc) so make sure to bring along spare change!
GOOD LUCK TO All and see you there!
Next VEX parts order - Wed 10 August
Written by Celeste Power
Hi everyone
We are placing another order for VEX parts this week, so please send me your orders by the end of the day on Wed 12 August!!
Hexbugs!
Written by Celeste Power
Hi everyone
If any schools are interested in purchasing VEX HEXBUGS (sell at school events, fundraise with etc) please let me know how many cases you would like by end of day tomorrow (Thursday 13th ) so these can be ordered. The cost of these is USD$165 per case (excl shipping) and there is 30 in a case.
Information Update on VEX Robotics Competition for everybody
Written by Celeste Power
Hi All
To update you all on the current situation, Chris Hamling from Rangitoto College has kindly summarized below an outline of what has been finalised for the VEX Robotics competition, and VEX Regional Event, which is coming up next week
VEX was truly international this past weekend, as VRC Clean Sweep Competitions were held in Canada and Mexico, along with our first ever tournament in Spain. Congratulations to all the teams that participated. Teams from 5 different countries (Canada, Mexico, Spain, Sweden and the United States) qualified for the 2010 VEX World Championship this April in Dallas. Good luck to everyone competing this weekend in Colorado, Georgia, Massachusetts, Nebraska and Virginia.
Below is an update on the progress and special attractions at the Championship of the Americas:
Event Information
Preparations are being completed for this year's Championship of the Americas being held March 18th-20th in the brand new beautiful Kroc Center in Omaha, NE. Join the teams from coast-to-coast that have already registered for this unique, multi-division event. For all the event details including schedule, discounted hotel accommodations and directions visit: http://www.create-found.org/RoboticChampionship.php
Multiple Divisions
Middle School
The Championship of the Americas has a Middle School only Division. If you have a middle school team that has qualified for the CoA you have the opportunity to compete against middle school teams only! (Of course you are always welcome to play up in the High School Division if you choose.) Just like the High School Division, the winners of this division qualify for the World Championships in Dallas! Some qualified teams may be unable to attend which may open up spots at the tournament, so we've created an online wait list for teams that might not have qualified but still wish the participate. Here is the link for the Middle School Division registration: http://robotevents.com/robot-competitions/vex-robotics-competition/vex-robotics-championship-of-the-americas-middle-school-division.html
Grade School - Crazy Cube
If you have a grade school team interested in Crazy Cube please contact us at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
for availability and team registration information.
High School
The High School Division is shaping up to be a highly competitive and fun event where nine teams will qualify for the World Championships. Some of the best teams in the world will be here. (Last year the winner of the High School Division and Middle School Division from the Championship of the Americas were members of the final two alliances at the World Championships!) Some qualified teams may be unable to attend which may open up spots at the tournament, so we've created an online wait list for teams that might not have qualified but still wish the participate. Here is the link for the High School Division registration: http://robotevents.com/robot-competitions/vex-robotics-competition/vex-robotics-championship-of-the-americas-by-the-create-foundation-1.html
Team Celebration
All teams registered for The Championship of the Americas are also invited to the Team Celebration. The party includes dinner, drinks, games and the aquatic center will be rocking as we party in the water. Whether sliding, floating or just enjoying the music with new found friends the party will be the perfect ending to an exciting event. And to make it even better it's FREE. All teams are invited as guests of the CREATE Foundation and our generous sponsors. So get registered, grab your robot, swimsuit and towel, and we will see you in Omaha!
The Championship of the Americas Organizing Committee
Vex Update
Written by Vex Robotics
Greetings VEX Robotics Competition Teams,
Here's an update for everyone going into the competitions this weekend:
Team Growth and Recent Events
The number of VEX Robotics Competition teams continues to grow, as there are now almost 2,300 official VRC teams. We'd like to congratulate Maryland and Virginia for becoming the 5th and 6th United States to have over 100 VEX teams, joining California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Texas! A number of states are right behind them and are quickly approaching 100 teams (including Georgia, Indiana and Nebraska). Thank you to all the event partners providing so many opportunities for teams to participate throughout the United States and around the world!
Here's a shorter update after another great week of competitions. Things will slow down for the holidays for a couple weeks, but the big news this week is that the Online Design Challenges have been announced.
Hawaii to Host Second-Annual VEX Robotics Pan-Pacific Championship
Written by Vex Robotics
HONOLULU – Nearly 1,000 middle school and high school students from Hawai‘i, the U.S. Mainland and China will descend upon the Hawai‘i Convention Center this week, December 3 – 5, for the 2nd annual VEX Robotics Pan-Pacific Championship. The event is free and open to the public.
The team-based robotics competition will put students’ engineering and high-tech skills to the test in three action-packed days of competition with robots created from the VEX Robotics Design System.
It's been an exciting couple of weeks since the last update. More than 200 teams played in 11 different events the past two weeks (in 8 different US states and in Brazil), with many new teams qualifying for the 2010 VEX Robotics World Championship April 22-24 in Dallas, Texas. This next week will see almost 250 teams compete in 7 more events spanning the globe, including the first ever VEX competition in Japan, the Inaugural VEX All-Star Challenge at Disney World, the first VEX Robotics competition in Australia and competitions in 4 additional states (Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana and Massachusetts).
A special note: The Disney All-Star Challenge event is now going to be web cast on Friday and Saturday – the link to the webcast may be found on the home page at RobotEvents.com.
A few weeks ago we shared that the VEX Robotics Competition program had already grown to over 1300 teams and 150 events around the world. It seems the growth has not slowed down, as the team count exceeded 1600 this past week and even more new events have been added, pushing the total number of VEX competitions to almost 160! This upcoming week there will be 125 different teams participating at 5 more events in California, Florida, Hawaii, Nebraska and Massachusetts. There will be 25 more events in the next 4 weeks - in 13 different states and 4 countries (Brazil, Japan, Colombia and Australia). 10 upcoming events have already filled and are closed for registration now, with a number of other competitions already 80-90% full, so be sure to get your teams signed up soon for any upcoming events you wish to participate in before they fill up.
Massachusetts & California High School Teams Dominate VEX Robotics Competition World Championship
Written by Vex Robotics
Innovation First International, creators of the VEX Robotics Competition World Championship, today announced that teams from Champs Charter High School, Crowther home school and El Camino Real High School were crowned as the world champion winning alliance. Nearly 300 hundred elite VEX teams from middle schools, high schools and university campuses from around the world competed at the Dallas Convention Center on May 1-2 with robots they built using the VEX Robotics Design System.
VEX Robotics Teams “Battle of the Bots” at the Inaugural Championship of the Americas in Omaha, Nebraska on April 2-4, 2009
Written by Vex Robotics
More than 90 leading elementary, middle and high school VEX robotics teams from North America will convene at the Omaha Civic Auditorium on April 2-4, 2009, to compete in the CREATE Foundation Robotics Championship of the Americas (RCoA) using the VEX Robotics Design System for the opportunity to be heralded as the tournament champion or winner of one of the laudable division awards. Twenty of the highest scoring teams at the RCoA will also qualify to compete with more than 200 teams from around the world at the VEX Robotics World Championship. Students will challenge their toughest competitors using robots created from the popular VEX Robotics Design System, developed by Innovation First, Inc, a leader in educational and competitive robotics products.
Second Annual VEX Robotics World Championship Competition to be Held at Dallas Convention Center and Arena
Written by Vex Robotics
Building upon the success of the inaugural VEX Robotics World Championship in 2008, the 2009 tournament will move to a larger venue to accommodate the growing popularity of the VEX Robotics Competition. The second annual VEX Robotics World Championship will take place April 30- May 2, 2009 at the Dallas Convention Center and Arena, located downtown at the center of the widely known Dallas Arts District in Texas. The World Championship is the culmination of over 1,000 teams competing in 100 regional robotics competitions across the globe that use the VEX Robotics Design System. Focused on stimulating education in science, technology, engineering and math, the competition draws students ranging from middle schools and high schools, and for the first year, a college challenge pilot program is being incorporated.
VEX Robotics Announces Inaugural College Challenge Competition to be Introduced at the 2009 VEX Robotics World Championship
Written by Vex Robotics
Innovation First, Inc., a leader in educational and competitive robotics products, is proud to announce the pilot season for the VEX Robotics Competition College Challenge. The single tournament for the College Challenge will take place at the VEX Robotics World Championship at the Dallas Convention Center and Arena from April 30 to May 2, 2009.
Dedicated to taking robotics competitions to the next level, VEX Robotics announces Elevation, a new game designed for middle and high school students interested in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Elevation follows last year’s popular Bridge Battle game and will be introduced for the 2008-2009 competition season. The new game for the VEX Robotics Competition is fueled by Innovation First, Inc., a leader in educational and competitive robotics products, and offers an engaging outlet for students around the world to test their robot building skills and compete against one another.
News
Twelve Auckland teenagers have a date in Dallas next month after manoeuvring their machines to victory in a fast and furious final of a robotics competition on the Albany campus at the weekend.
. We are planning to get the robot finished by Thursday so we can test it at Massey University, and then play at the scrimmage on Saturday.
