Nothing can top a day at the Minnesota State Fair, unless your FIRST team gets to spend three full days there. During the 2012 Fair, 1816-The Green Machine competed twice in the State Fair Robotics competitions and was one of many demonstrations and exhibits during STEM Day in Carousel Park. Each robotics match attracted crowds to the Education Building, which this year installed bleachers to encourage people to stay and watch. Many kids and adults alike asked tons of questions about our 2012 robot, Zephyr, and the other FRC robots at the fair. The kids especially were very excited and clapped enthusiastically whenever a robot made a basket or succeeded in a task. It’s one thing to describe FIRST, but a live robot really tells the story. As more than one youngster said to us, “Now I want to make one!” Good thing there is a FIRST program for every student, starting with Junior FIRST Lego League!
Three to four FRC teams competed each day at the Fair, coming from all parts of Minnesota, not just the immediate Twin Cities. All were vying for highest-point honors, since those teams with the most points are invited back on the last day of the fair to try for the title of State Fair Champion! This robotics competition was unique in that it had all of the field elements of the 2012 game “Rebound Rumble,” such as a multi-tiered basketball hoops and a balancing bridge. However, robots competed individually (not in alliances of three) and competed on points earned scoring and time spent to accomplish specific tasks. The first task was an autonomous mode similar to that initial scoring period in a FIRST game. The second task was to attempt to score two shots into each individual hoop. Last, robots were to try to make as many baskets as possible within 90 seconds. This was followed by a demand that robots “park” in a specified corner of the field, and then balance on a teeter-totter bridge. Lastly, each robot had to score a basket from 5 ft., 10 ft., 15 ft., and 20 ft. away from the hoops. Our Zephyr proved once again that on some tasks, she could be perfect and on others, not quite as much! We now begin our fall pre-season, getting Zephyr ready for many public appearances, scrimmages and demonstrations. There’s room for improvement as we begin our 2013 season.