Team Update: September 28, 2010

Hi everyone!

Tonight's meeting was focused primarily on the gyro and accelerometer and what challenges we have facing us regarding those two sensors. Here is a breakdown of what was discussed tonight:
Our Challenges with the gyro/accelerometer

• gyroscope --- the gyroscope measures the angle in degrees on three different axes. we know that we will get the angles of the robot's positions. We will know the roll, pitch, and yaw in degrees.
• accelerometer --- the accelerometer measures the speed in all directions.
• code/program
• we need to know how fast our robot goes
• we need a teeter totter
• programming so when the robot is not at 0 degrees (or whatever we decide will be level), the joystick will be overridden by the robot so the drivers cannot accidentally cause us to drive off the teeter totter
• the robot has to be able to distinguish the different angles
• distance we need to drive
• keeping track of the angle from level
• robot needs to know when to start balancing
• P.I.D --- this is a continuous loop that will always try to achieve a goal. in our case, it will read what degree we are at and will then speed the robot up or slow it down depending on how many degrees we are away from our goal of level.

All team leaders: Mrs. Danner wants to have a plan for Thursday night's meeting for each project by Wednesday night. As a reminder, the projects and leaders are as follows:

Gyro/Accelerometer: Sam and Mr. Hinde

Programming: Nick and Mr. Don

Gear Boxes: Rachel and Mr. Fordham

Crate: Christian and Mr. George

Also, if you did not bring your soda order forms to the meeting tonight, please make sure they are in by Thursday.

See everyone on Thursday!

-Sam

Team Update: September 23, 2010

Hi everyone!

In the beginning of the meeting last night, the students were in Davidow driving the robot and kicking the soccer balls. During the second half of the meeting, we had a discussion of the projects that must get done this fall and the regionals we want to go to for the 2011 season. Each student signed up to be the student leader of a project and there is a mentor leader as well.

The first project is the gyro and accelerometer project. Mr. Hinde is the mentor leader of the group and Sean is the student leader with Mat in the group as well. Their goal is to build a teeter totter and figure out how to use the gyro and accelerometer to balance on it.

The second project is trimming the driver station sticks. Mr. Don is the mentor leader with Nick as the student leader. Issa and his dad Mr. Cardona are a part of this group as well. Using programming, these four will trim the sticks to make them more precise. They will research ways to do that so our robot can move a glass of water without changing the water line at different speeds.

The third project is the gear box project. Mr. Fordham is the mentor leader of this group with Rachel as the student leader. The two of them will organize the back room and determine what we need to build a new drive system and gear boxes, as well as building the gear boxes for the 2011 season. Inventory will be done so we can determine what we need to get for next year.

The fourth project is the new crate. Mr. George is the mentor leader of this project with Sammy as the student leader. Christian is a member of this group as well. These three are in charge of building a new crate that is lighter and meets the FIRST requirements.

Our machinist and fabrication group is Mike and Ally with Mr. Weick. Nick is going to learn how to program this year. We need someone to help with inventory so it is not left up to the group working on the gear boxes alone.

There were two assignments given that are due on Tuesday, September 28.
--Each student must research 10 algorithims, codes, or math configurations for the gyro and accelerometer to balance the robot on the teeter totter. If you are looking for code, it must be in LabView, otherwise it is not useful to us. Here is a hint: several years ago, FIRST put out a game that involved just this.
--Each student leader is to email their mentor leader and figure out a plan for what is to be accomplished and what is needed for their project.

If you are not going to be at robotics on Tuesday for any reason, email your assignments to Mrs. George or find out if someone can bring in your homework for you.

Reminder: Soda sale orders are due Tuesday, September 28. Don't forget to sell soda! Every case of soda you sell will get you closer to the $1,300 you must raise for this year.

See everyone on Tuesday!

-Sammy

Kick Off is around the corner!

Hi everyone!

Just wanted to let everyone know that there are 124 days until the game is released! Before we know it, January 8th will be right around the corner and we'll be learning about the game. I hope everyone is as excited as I am about this!

See everyone on Thursday!
Sam