Robots in Downtown Tacoma?
Robots! Is this big news? No. Is it kinda fun? Absolutely. Why? Because robots are fun. Starting today, the Tacoma Convention Center is hosting the FIRST Robotics Competition (sponsored by Microsoft). What is it? A competition for high school students where they have to build robots to solve very particular problems. The goal is to show students that it can be fun to be an engineer or researcher.
Maybe if we took a few of those robots into the streets of Tacoma at night we could solve a few of our problems…
The event is apparently open to the public through Saturday (March 20 to 22).
8 comments
D Droid16 March 20, 2008
Among the 31 teams competing are three Tacoma area teams representing Bellarmine Preparatory, Wilson and The School of the Arts high schools. Official team names below.
Fikret Yuksel Foundation/Parents of Bellarmine Robotics & Bellarmine Prep Tacoma
Murdock Foundation / Dimmer Foundation & Wilson High School
Tacoma School of the Arts High School
Do us proud robots.
J jamie from thriceallamerican March 20, 2008
We just visited some friends in Wisconsin…apparently these are a big deal there. And are way cool. I hope to make it over there!
M morgan March 20, 2008
This is awesome! I had no idea this was going on!
Does the Convention Center send out press releases or at least blog? Seems like we never hear about these things in advance, which is too bad.
I’m still waiting for a reader board to be installed outside of the building so we know what’s going on INSIDE the building.
C’mon Convention Center – make yourself relevant to the community – blow your horn!
N Nick March 20, 2008
So is this an all-day thing or what? I can’t find any time schedule anywhere. I’d love to check it out, but I’d hate to miss it during it’s open hours.
E Erik S March 20, 2008
Yeah, this is going to seem great until their cold steel talons rip into your chest cavity and tear out your still-beating heart. Hasn’t anyone seen WarGames? The Terminator? 2001?
D Droid16 March 20, 2008
For those interested in the public agenda, here it is.
FIRST Robotics Competition
Microsoft Seattle Regional
Public Agenda
March 20-22, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
7:45AM 3 Team Reps to uncrate
8:30AM Pits and Machine Shop open
8:30AM-12:00PM Registration and inspection
10:00AM-4:30PM Practice rounds
12:00PM – 1:00PM Lunch
8:00PM Pits and Machine Shop close
Friday, March 21, 2008
8:00AM Pits and Machine Shop open
9:00AM Opening ceremonies
9:30AM-4:00PM Seeding matches
12:00PM-1:00PM Lunch
4:15PM Awards ceremony
6:00PM Pits and Machine Shop close
Saturday, March 22, 2008
8:00AM Pits and machine shop open
9:00AM Opening ceremonies
10:00AM-11:15AM Seeding matches
11:30AM-11:45PM Alliance Selections
12:00PM-1:00PM Lunch
1:00PM-4:15PM Final rounds
4:30PM Awards ceremony
5:00PM Pits and Machine Shop close, crates packed for shipping
**Schedule subject to change. All times are estimated based on flow of rounds.
A AgentEagle2147 March 23, 2008
Thanks to everyone who came out and supported us robot nerds at the Microsoft Regional at the Tacoma Convention Center this past weekend. I am part of a team from Spokane, Washington and it was wonderful to see so much enthusiasm and support from the community at this new event. This is the first year that Tacoma has hosted a FIRST robotics competition and as a team we think it went over very smoothly. Everyone was so gracious and we had a lot of fun. we also attend the Portland Regional,but we will be back next year in Tacoma for sure. If you didnt get a chance to see the competition in Tacoma you should definetly look up videos or information on the internet,the program and competition made the front page of the Tacoma Tribune (I think its tribune?!). The goal of FIRST is to spread more recognition of the impact that technology is having on our community and the fact that its something we really need to be incorporating into our school. Engineering is on the rise, and firms are looking for good engineers but cant find enough employees with the talent. I am a student on a team and my life has been greatly impacted by the FIRST program. you wont find a place where students (and mentors) are more gracious and professional. We foster a competitive spirit in those competing with their robots but also help each other out so that everyone can participate and have fun. Its a blast, and educational too. So if you didnt get the chance to come out this year you should definitly come out next year, we should be back around the same time, and hopefully we will be bringing more teams (Portland currently hosts about 54 at every regional). Congrats to those teams going on to Atlanta, Georgia this next month by the way, you were wonderful competition. Make us proud!
If you want to learn more about FIRST robotics, what we are all about, how to start a team or how to get involved please visit:
www.usfirst.org
Thanks for the support and enthusiasm all! Its been a great season!
K kc March 23, 2008
Could someone please post the results of who won? I don’t know how to find out which teams took the titles.