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FIRST Tech Challenge
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The site for information on the FIRST Tech Challenge including the new platform and what's next.
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Hot Shots! in India
FTC keeps growing. As I write this the first ever India FTC event is wrapping up. PTC and NRB Bearings came together to make this happen. They are running a pilot event with 7 FTC teams. Each team has 10 members plus mentors. Over 4,000 kids applied for the 70 slots! Talk about interest in robotics. In the center of the first pic is John Stuart, our key guy at PTC.
They are playing HotShot with equipment supplied by FIRST and kits supplied by PTC and NRB. As you can see they put a lot of effort into it and it looks great. We expect FTC to continue to expand internationally following the great model established by FLL.
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Simple is as Simple does
Great movie, a powerful message about taking what life gives you and making the most of it. Also makes an interesting statement about how much you can plan your life and how much just happens... yes I'm digressing again.
In any case we can all use help, guidance, and direction - sometimes we just need to know where to look for it.
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Perspective
At any FIRST event it's hard not to focus on the robots. Based on the kit of parts and the annual challenge many robots show off their skeletons well. For folks like me that's cool. I love to see how teams have solved problems by seeing inside your designs.
Most vehicles, including industrial robots, hide those skeletons to protect what's inside. In the process there is the ability to add style etc. That's what we had in mind when we started allowing various plastics to be used in the kit a couple years back.
Over just the last two years I've been impressed with the solutions you have developed using the kit and these materials. The additional range of function and form achieved has been impressive.
Not sure if the developer of this one participated in FIRST however...
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New Definition of Rock Star
I was thinking recently about how the FTC Game Design Committee works. If you don't already know, our GDC is a group of talented volunteers who put countless hours into each year's game. Some of you may curse them throughout the season as you struggle to come up with solutions, but most of you rise to meet the annual challenges. Your accomplishments are the fuel that powers the GDC.
So, to some of the smartest, socially relevant, and successful folks involved in FTC - thanks Game Design Committee. Since we typically protect their identities - we'll celebrate them here as our "Rock Stars."
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Last long weekend before the new game....
The east coast is getting buckled down for "Earl." My two cents is that storms should have more fierce sounding names. Nothing against any Earls out there but using it as a storm name doesn't instill fear. Watching all the talking heads on the news telling people to buy plywood, duct tape, bottled water, everyone needs to just... again, I digress...
The season is shaping up, many FTC events are already scheduled. As we look at our calendars here we're in for another busy season. With only a few exceptions FTC regional events should be winding down by March 9th.
In any case, enjoy the long weekend. Next weekend we'll release the game.
Take care,
Ken
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