The 2011 game is called LogoMotion. In each match, two alliances, one red and one blue, composed of three FIRST Robotics Competition teams each, compete on a flat 27' x 54' field. Playing pieces are inner tubes shaped like the components of the FIRST logo. Each team competes to earn points by hanging as many triangle, circle and square logo pieces as possible on their scoring grid. Bonus points will be earned for each robot that can hang and assemble logo pieces to form the FIRST logo (triangle, circle, square, in a horizontal row in that order). The match ends with robots deploying minibots onto vertical poles. The minibots race to the top of the pole to trigger a sensor and earn additional bonus points. Click here for a more detailed description of the game.

ROBOT FEATURES

This robot uses a Mecanum drive system which allows movement in any direction without changing orientation.

A 4-bar link system is used because of its simplicity and versatility. It allows the end of the arm to maintain its orientation when the base of the arm moves up and down. The gripper acquires the game pieces quickly using powered rollers.

Before the End Game, we use the onboard camera to help the robot line up to the pole. When we trigger the release to deploy, the rapid ascent of our minibot to the top of the pole can add 10 - 30 points to our alliance's match score.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Kettering University FIRST Robotics District Competition
       Best Website Award
       Engineering Inspiration Award

Waterford FIRST Robotics District Competition
       Best Website Award
       Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers Entrepreneurship Award
       Picked 2nd overall in the elimination round and were finalist

Michigan FIRST Robotics State Championship
       Best Website Award
       Ranked 33rd out of 171 teams in Michigan