Ah. The day the bIrobot and all other FRC teams wait for all year. The start of build season. No sleeping until February 20 at 11:59 p.m. If you want to join in the announcement you can check with us about attending our event or visit the FIRST website.
Today at 11:59:59 (04:59:59 GMT) is the end of the 2018 build season for FRC teams all around the world including the BICS bIrobot team. bIrobot is among more than 3,000 teams in 30+ countries completing robots that are custom designed and built to compete in this year’s FRC game named Power Up! The six week qualification round period begins next week with the bIrobot Team heading to matches at Grand Valley State University on March 22-24 and Marysville High School on April 5-7. You can see the completed 2018 bIrobot at the annual Chili Cook-off at BICS the evening of March 2.
About the 2018 bIrobot
This year’s robot is unlike any the team has built before. It has a six wheel drive system with four closely spaced pneumatic tires (two on each side and all powered) and two “omni” wheels (that can drive forward and roll sideways) far forward on the chassis (one on each side). On board the robot are four major sub-systems. First, the telescoping, two stage lift system can extend from 50 to 100 inches in height and move its main stage from floor level to the top position of the lift. The lift system caries the second system, a cube handling system that can pick-up a milk crate sized, nylon covered cube from the floor in any orientation, and eject it at any level the lift can reach. The lift systems also caries the third system, a climbing assist mechanism that can extend a cantilever arm to a bracket and then work with the lift system to climb the entire robot at least 12 inches off the floor. The final mojor system is an electronics bay that includes the computer, power supply, motor controllers and safety systems that control the robot.
On Thursday, November 8, 2018 at 12:00 PM, Noon (Eastern Time), the application for the following FIRST Robotics Competition awards will open:
- Chairman’s Award
- Dean’s List Award
- Woodie Flowers Award
For more information, please visit the the FIRST Robotics Competition Manual (coming soon).
Kit and Kickoff Registration Closes
Date: Monday, November 19, 2018
Time: 12:00pm (noon) Eastern Time
Kit and Kickoff Registration closes. This is the deadline for FIRST Robotics Competition teams to select a Local Kickoff location to pick up their Kickoff Kit and or enter number of attendees for the Kickoff broadcast.
If you have any questions, please contact frcteams@firstinspires.org.
All District Events and All Regional Events Registration Closes
Date: Monday, November 19, 2018
Time: 12:00pm (noon) Eastern Time
All District Events (this includes additional In-District and additional Inter-District) and all Regional Events registration closes for rookie and veteran teams for the 2019 FIRSTRobotics Competition Season.
If you have any questions, please contact frcteams@firstinspires.org.
Payment Due – 1st and 2nd District Event
Date: Monday, November 19, 2018
Time: 5:00pm Eastern Time
Payment is due to the FIRST Finance Department for all rookie and veteran teams registered for their 1st and 2nd District Event for the 2019 FIRST Robotics Competition Season. Acceptable forms of payment are check (US funds only); Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express credit card; Purchase Order; or commitment letter form Grantor or Sponsor.
If you have any questions, please contact FIRST Finance at 1-800-871-8326 ext. 563 or ar@firstinspires.org.
Ah. The day the bIrobot and all other FRC teams wait for all year. Kickoff! The start of build season. No sleeping until February 19 at 11:59 p.m. If you want to join in the announcement you can check with us about attending our event or visit the FIRST website.
Chairman’s Award Application DEADLINE
The FIRST Robotics Competition Chairman’s Award application opened on Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 12:00 PM, Noon (Eastern Time) and closes on Thursday, February 7, 2019 at 3:00 PM (Eastern Time).
For more information, visit the Submitted Awards Page.
Woodie Flowers Award Application DEADLINE
The FIRST Robotics Competition Woodie Flowers Award application opened on Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 12:00 PM, Noon (Eastern Time) and closes on Thursday, February 7, 2019 at 3:00 PM (Eastern Time).
For more information, visit the FIRST Robotics Competition Manual (coming soon).
Dean’s List Award Application DEADLINE
The FIRST Robotics Competition Entrepreneurship Award application opened on Thursday, November 8, 2018 at 12:00 PM, Noon (Eastern Time) and closes on Thursday, February 14, 2019 at 3:00 PM (Eastern Time).
For more information, visit the FIRST Robotics Competition Manual (coming soon).
Today at 11:59:59 (04:59:59 GMT) is the end of the 2019 build season for FRC teams all around the world including the BICS bIrobot team. bIrobot is among more than 3,000 teams in 30+ countries completing robots that are custom designed and built to compete in this year’s FRC game named Destination: Deep Space! The six week qualification round period begins next week with the bIrobot Team heading to matches at Orchard View High School in Muskegon on March 14-16 and Lake Superior State University on April 4-6.
About the 2019 bIrobot
Well, we can tell you much about it now because we won;t know the challenge for the 2019 season until January 5, 2019. But, for now we can tell you about last year’s robot. Our 2018 robot was unlike any the team has built before. It has a six wheel drive system with four closely spaced pneumatic tires (two on each side and all powered) and two “omni” wheels (that can drive forward and roll sideways) far forward on the chassis (one on each side). On board the robot are four major sub-systems. First, the telescoping, two stage lift system can extend from 50 to 100 inches in height and move its main stage from floor level to the top position of the lift. The lift system carries the second system, a cube handling system that can pick-up a milk crate sized, nylon covered cube from the floor in any orientation, and eject it at any level the lift can reach. The lift systems also caries the third system, a climbing assist mechanism that can extend a cantilever arm to a bracket and then work with the lift system to climb the entire robot at least 12 inches off the floor. (This sub-system contributed to our team winning a technical achievement award at one of our events in the 2018 season.) The final major system is an electronics bay that includes the computer, power supply, motor controllers and safety systems that control the robot.
