2019 | Destination: Deep Space

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2019 | Destination: Deep Space

A new year has arrived, and with it a new season of FIRST Robotics Competition. The new competition named, “Destination: Deep Space,” features new challenges for teams to overcome. Within the first 15 seconds of the match drivers are unable to see the field in front of them, and must rely on either robot cameras or autonomous code. The sandstorm blocks driver view and issues the challenge of communicating with a robot, without directly seeing it.

Robots must also collect cargo and store them in the cargo ship or the rocket, and secure them with hatches. Without the hatches the cargo will fall out at the end of the match. During the final seconds of the match, robots must return to their habitat and have the option of climbing the platforms to earn more points.

The New Workshop

Recently we relocated to Bishop Kelly’s new STEM center, hoping to encourage more students to get involved. The new shop is full of amazing machinery and space for everyone to work. Our team spent months getting used to the new equipment, preparing just for this season. A massive thank you to Bishop Kelly for providing us with an amazing space to grow.

The Start of a New Robot

While the team is working hard drawing plans for the new robot, our programmers are getting in valuable practice on our old practice robot. Learning to code before the seasonal robot is built. During the first week of build season the 3D Digital version of our robot will be built and construction on the chasis will start.

One of the largest pieces of the game is the cargo, so we have started our work on a prototype intake system. Because of the size of the cargo, we have to allow enough space to pick up and store them until we are ready to launch. With so many ideas for an intake system, starting a couple of prototypes will help us decide which system is more efficient.

Visualizing the Robot

It is important to know what your robot is going to look like and the best way is to build it digitally. The process is a great benefit to measuring later on, and can help to eliminate the struggle of misplacing parts. Manufacturing robots is harder than it looks, so everything has to be perfect.

Quinn Lydon: A Bit About the Team

How do you feel going into this year?

“I feel better this year than the last because I have more experience. We have more people who know how to build, program and design a robot.”

How has your time on the Bullbots influenced your regular life?

“It allowed me to build lasting relationships with other people interested in the same subjects that I am, as well as enabling me to think about problems creatively.”

What are some of your favorite things about build season?

“The food. I love meeting new members of FIRST around our area, and around the world during competitions.”

Good Luck this Season!

Good luck to all the teams out there this season, it’ll be a blast!

Want to know more about this year’s game? Check out the video below

After Lego Robotics Camp a lot of parents are going to hear that their child wants a Lego Mindstorm!

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 group of  summer of  2018

The kids in this group got to test out the 2018 Hydroworks Lego Mindstorm set up. he goal was to program a Mindstorm and get it to do certain things on the lay out. after 3 days of working and testing, they had a chance to rebuild for a new challenge, Sumo bots! In this however your Mindstorm would have to use motors, levers and other techniques to get the other teams robot off of a small circular mat.

STEM Day

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Last Saturday, the Bullbots, along with a few other local teams, went to a demonstration for STEM Day. It was a lot of fun and we were able to show many people our robots and they were impressed. Demos like these always do a great job at getting the word out about Science and Technology and the Bullbots are always looking forward to do more of these.

STEM MATTERS Campaign Kickoff

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We are excited to announce the STEM MATTERS Campaign Kickoff that will take place at the Idaho State Capitol Building this Saturday from 11:00 AM-2:00 PM. There will be some FRC Teams there to show off their robots at this exciting event! Hope to see you all there!

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