Northeastern District Event March 28th and 29th 2014

The Aztechs 157 robotics team attended the Northeastern District competition this past week. We came into this district with such energy, enthusiasm, and electricity. This was a challenge that we took part in and were ready to see through until the very end. 

Our robot was delivered into the pits with our diligent drive team, and the rest of our team was decorated and dazzling, ready for the day's endeavors. Sheer passion was dripping from our foreheads and our robot was driven to leave it all on the arena. 

No rank was bringing us down, it was only the dance music that allowed our enthusiastic team members to flock down the stairs and accompany fellow teams. The music kept the whole university in its seats, moving and grooving, but the students and mentors were highly spirited and dancing all the way home afterwards. 

See our dedicated team members; students, and mentors making a quick adjustment to the robot. Meet Marcus Fletcher, Michael Villani, Matt Kahn, Nick, Teju, and Kayleigh Stevens. 

See our mascots in action on the arena's dedicated dance floor with mascots and members from other teams. May I also introduce Jennifer Moore, Amy Fowler, and "Supernor"-bot. 

See the adorable duo from Hudson, Massachusetts, best friends before they even met each other in person; members Becky Beaudoin and Jennifer Moore. 

Are you ready for the competition? Start your engines and let it rip. Wave your yellow and blue banners and "Go Aztechs!"

WPI District Event March 13th and 14th 2014

               The Aztechs 157 Robotics team was up in Worcester a couple weeks back in pursuit of a fierce competition. Arriving early in the morning, our pit was swarming with curious FIRST team members asking intelligent and wise questions to an experienced team. Meanwhile, our other team members were gathering spirit equipment; the aztech head-bot, spear, shield, and feather bands. All dolled up with our festive gear, we went around the pits, and opened up our spiffy new scouting app, FRC Scout.
                The level of coopertition at this district event was off of the radar, and we saw gracious professionalism being displayed all-throughout the place in and outside of Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Everyone learned so much at this event, gathering information for competition, forming many FIRST friendships, and having fun.
             

Team members Mrs. Fowler, and Liz Lowe, an academic array, are sporting their Aztech spirit-wear. 

From left to right we have team members Becky Beaudoin, Amy Fowler, Liz Lowe, Ava Rule, Jennifer Moore, Teju, Nick, and many other team members in the back ground and in the pit area. In this picture we are up in a match, holding up our signs, spear, shield, and distinguished flag. 

Meet our dedicated drive team, from left to right Kayleigh Stevens, Shamus Hughes, Michael Villani, and Patrick Hughes. Say "Hi!" to the robot!

Aztechs Kick-off 01-05-13

The Aztechs 157 team gathered in the lecture hall going over basic principles of the game, scoring methods, crucial field elements, rough measurements, and shot out some ideas. We first went over a brief Power Point presentation, and then came together as a group going over all possible scoring methods, and ranking them in efficiency and accuracy. After that we went over our scoring priorities, and mechanical priorities for the robot. Finally, we broke into groups of 3 making rough sketches of ideas for the robot, keeping in mind the top four priorities of the robot we found the most important. We presented all of our ideas asking questions, and making improvements on the spot. After deep consideration, we plan on having a prototype for the robot by the end of our meeting on Saturday, January 11th.

Kickoff at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute 01-04-13

01-04-13
            The Aztechs 157 Robotics team joined many others at WPI this past Saturday, to kick-off the 2014 Build Season. This year's challenge was revealed through a live broadcast from Manchester, New Hampshire. Dean Kamen and Woodie Flowers were featured in the presentation explaining the principles of FIRST, and they also handed the microphone to the announcers where the field elements were being assembled, finally heading the spotlight towards last year's FIRST Championship winners in St. Louis, Missouri, alliance members of teams 4251 Cougar Robotics, 4140 Fish in the Boat, and 5096 team Monkey Madness. Congratulations to all of those teams. Afterwards, this year's challenge was announced: Aerial Assist.
              This year's challenge has taken an interesting turn, along with many changes and additions to the KOP, and the Virtual Kit. The game consists of a 25' by 54' field with 3 teams on both alliance sides. There are also 3 zones; red, white and blue. Also there is a truss a little bit more than 5 feet above the ground, evenly dividing the white zone. There are human player areas on either side of the truss. The name of the game is to score as many points as possible in the 2 minute and 30 second match. Cooperation is crucial with this game, and passes are the jackpot of points.
              The competition begins with a 10 second autonomous period, with all of the robots on their side of the middle white zone. Each robot can be preloaded with a single ball in their color, and shoot into the goals. Each autonomous goal earns five bonus points. One of the high goals will be lit at random on both sides, considered as hot. Every hot goal earns an additional 5 point bonus, equaling 10 plus the goal. Then moving into your alliance color zone, you earn an additional 5 points.
              After all of the balls are scored, the drivers walk up to their station and being the teleonomous period begins and one ball is entered on each alliance into play. You can also throw and catch balls on the field to other robots, each throw is a 10 point bonus, and every catch is another 10 points. The purpose is to again gain as many points as you can.
            Now passes can come into play. Human players hand the robots a ball and the robot shoots it into the goal. That is one pass, worth 1- 10 points. The human player, to a robot, and the robot passes to another in a goal earns 11- 20 points. Then the human player, to a robot, passing it to another robot, and then to another robot into the goal earns 31 - 40 points.
            Points, scores, passes, and other are all monitored by score keeping equipment that all of the robots are connected to. That is a new feature added this year in addition to many others. That is Aerial Assist the FRC challenge for 2014. To all teams; good luck in building your robot and see you at the competitions.
           For a detailed game summary, please visit: http://www.usfirst.org/sites/default/files/uploadedFiles/About_Us/Media_Center/FRC_Assets/2014_FRC_Game_1page.pdf
           Also for the 2014 Aerial Assist Game Manual: http://frc-manual.usfirst.org/viewItem/3