About the Warlocks Team #1507 and FIRST Robotics
The Warlocks are a High School level, competitive robotics team, part of the FIRST Robotics program created by Dean Kamen. Much more information on the FIRST organization can be found at their web pages at www.usfirst.org
FIRST stands for "For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology"
FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology and engineering.
Students from Lockport High School have participated in FIRST for several years as part of a joint two-school team with Newfane High School, the Circuit Stompers. The joint team had a very successful record, but the goal was to build a critical mass of experienced students to allow separate teams to be formed. It was decided to form separate teams this 2004-2005 season and the Warlocks were formed and applied to FIRST for team status. We were approved and given team number 1507.
About Our Name
FIRST Robotics teams have a lot of fun. One part of it is having a clever or catchy team name. It helps with team recognition to other teams and forms a team identity.
Last summer on the way home from the IRI (Indiana Robotics Invitational) a number of the Circuit Stompers and future Warlocks were discussing possible names for the new team. In a brainstorming session that included people in two separate vehicles communicating with two-way radios, we came up with about twenty suggestions.
The one that survived and finally made it to the forming of the team the next fall was WARLOCKS. Why?
Well, we wanted something that met the catchy-clever criteria, but we also wanted to put something to signify our hometown in it. The WAR stands for We Are Robotics. LOCKS comes from Lockport and the Erie Canal Locks. The idea of a Warlock, someone a little mystical and magical seemed to fit the team's idea of making something amazing out of a pile of parts and raw materials.
So, We Are Robotics Lockport's Original Cyber Kids Society.
Our Logo
Once our name was decided, a logo was needed. We asked our students to submit their designs and quite a few did, but one was a clear winner. Jeremy Liu drew our wizard-zapping-a-robot design using pen and paper and we all agreed it was an awesome design. It was scanned for reproduction and use on our web site, and the ring of text added using Photoshop.
Jeremy could have quit there, but he didn't! He hand-copied the design onto our robot cart and with the help from his sister, hand-painted the entire logo on the end of the cart. With some vinyl laser-cut decals for our sponsors logos and the team name, our cart is one sharp-looking ride and functional too!
About the Game
FIRST Robotics competitions are not what you see on TV. We're not Battlebots, but just as exciting.
The game is different each year and is more like a sports game than a wrestling match between robots, although there is a lot of pushing and shoving at times. The games typically pit more than one robot on a team, called an Alliance, facing another alliance's robots. They must perform certain tasks in a limited time in order to earn points towards the score.
An important concept is that cooperation is as important a part of every game as is competition. To succeed in the game each robot must work with the other robots in their alliance and sometimes even the other alliance.
Each year the rules of the game - and the game concept itself - is unveiled to all teams at once in an event called Kickoff. The kickoff announcement is broadcast via satellite so that every team can learn together what they are up against that year.
The teams receive their kit of robot components after the kickoff ceremony and this begins the six-week build cycle. All teams have the exact same time to design, build, program and debug their robots. The robots are packed up and shipped for inspection prior to competitions at the end of the six weeks.
This year's game, Triple Play, is a complex game that involves picking up 30-inch-per-side pyramids, made of plastic pipe, called Tetras on top of larger pyramid shaped goals. Nine goals in the playing field make up a Tic-tac-toe pattern. Points are awarded for each tetra placed on or under a goal. Capping, or placing one on top of the goal is worth three points. Putting one into the base of the goal is worth only one point.
This year, there are three robots on each alliance, so there will be six robots on the field, three red team and three blue team. The game starts with a 15-second Autonomous period, where the robots must operate on their own. No player intervention at all. Once the autonomous period is done, two minutes of operator-controlled play begins.
At the end of the game, the color of the last tetra on each goal determines which alliance owns that goal and every three-in-a-row goals that are owned, row, column or diagonal, just like tic-tac-toe, earns the alliance a 10-point bonus. In addition, if all three of an alliance's robots are able to return to their end of the field and be behind a line there, they receive another ten points.
There are many other aspects of the game that we have skipped here for brevity, but it is a fast-paced game with many strategic aspects to challenge the players from design phase right through the game itself.
About Safety
Safety is an important aspect of the FIRST program. On all levels, safe procedures are both observed and taught.
First, the design of the robots are limited to design in safety. All systems are powered by a 12 volt electrical system and a limited amount of compressed air. Only approved electrical parts are used and must follow a strict code for connections, wire sizes and such. The air supply is kept in an approved tank and limited to a peak 120 psi, then regulated down to no more than 60 psi in the system.
During a match, all robots operator interfaces are connected into the field system and the judges have the ability to shut down an errant robot at any time. This is done if it leaves the playing field or is in danger of doing so. All the operators are behind a plexiglass window and are separated from the field.
In this year's game, there is the opportunity for a team's human player to place a tetra on their robot from the side of the field. To ensure this is done safely, the players stand on pressure sensitive mats at the side of the playing field. As soon as they step off the mat, their robot is disabled and can't move again until they return to the mat.
Of course, safe procedures are emphasized while working on the robot as well. All persons in the pit area, as well as the competition area, are required to use approved safety glasses. This is also a rule in the shop area at school. Proper use of power tools is also mandatory and if a student isn't familiar with a tool, they are trained in it's use by mentors or experienced students.
At all times, safety is the most important thing.
