Resources for Velocity Vortex challenge:
updated 2017/07/20
updated 2017/07/20
Velocity Vortex national standings and videos: autonomous programs, high scoring matches, etc
nationwide team rankings by OPR score - website from Brainstormers #8644 in Massachusetts:
http://ftcstats.org/
worldwide high score for Velocity Vortex - website from i2 robotics #6081 in Connecticut:
http://www.velocityvortexhs.com/
list of global top scorers - website from Chaos Monkeyz #11090 in Texas:
http://www.ftcroot.com/
100 point autonomous program from Titan Robotics #3543 - score 2 Particles, push Cap Ball, score 2 Beacons, climb Corner Vortex
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHcIzLSJXnw
90 point autonomous program from Epic #8712- score two Particles, score two Beacons
https://twitter.com/EPIC8712/status/792535874105815041
220 point alliance score from Quantum Mechanics #11168 and Bazinga Bots #8539 in Alaska (2016/11/19)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbZNKsy10M4
215 point alliance score from Epic #8712 and The Q is Silqent #7655 in Minnesota (2016/11/12)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtSYWhc1pAc
helpful tools, websites
Velocity Vortex robot build strategies
nationwide team rankings by OPR score - website from Brainstormers #8644 in Massachusetts:
http://ftcstats.org/
worldwide high score for Velocity Vortex - website from i2 robotics #6081 in Connecticut:
http://www.velocityvortexhs.com/
list of global top scorers - website from Chaos Monkeyz #11090 in Texas:
http://www.ftcroot.com/
100 point autonomous program from Titan Robotics #3543 - score 2 Particles, push Cap Ball, score 2 Beacons, climb Corner Vortex
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHcIzLSJXnw
90 point autonomous program from Epic #8712- score two Particles, score two Beacons
https://twitter.com/EPIC8712/status/792535874105815041
220 point alliance score from Quantum Mechanics #11168 and Bazinga Bots #8539 in Alaska (2016/11/19)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbZNKsy10M4
215 point alliance score from Epic #8712 and The Q is Silqent #7655 in Minnesota (2016/11/12)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtSYWhc1pAc
helpful tools, websites
- Syndicate (FTC9441) has created the "FTC Velocity Vortex 3D Field" app for this year's challenge.
"Our app allows teams to view this year's field as a 3D model within the app. Our goal was to provide a quick and easy view of the field, which would be more effective than looking at a basic 2D image. We think this app is a great utility for all FTC teams. Our app is currently on Google Play, and we are in the process of releasing it on iOS." --2016/09/12
FTC Velocity Vortex 3D Field app on Google Play
Velocity Vortex robot build strategies
- Pink to the Future (FTC Netherlands)
Robot in 1 Week - snail drop cam for shooter - Mechanical Paradox (FTC7182)
Robot in 3 Days - Actobotics construction - Robo Raiders (FTC7129)
Robot in 3 days Reveal - accurate shooter lever
"choo-choo mechanism" for shooter lever - Bronc Botz (FTC4008, FTC4602, FTC6976, FRC3481)
Robot in 2 Days intro - Red and Blue group build robots - BEE Team SPLC (FTC11506, Australia 60B) from St. Peters Lutheran College, Brisbane
"particle accelerator" video - flywheel launcher - Redfish Robotics (FTC9958)
Robot in a Weekend video - fixed link - Robot in 1 Weekend (Ri1W) video sessions - groups each try to build a Velocity Vortex robot in 1 weekend
Brainstorming
Strategy and First Impressions
Day 1 Live Stream - recorded
Day 2 Live Stream
How to Receive Charitable Donations requiring a 501(c)(3) status
A number of San Diego FTC and FLL teams have worked with a local 501(c)(3) organization to obtain charitable donations. Robotics Inspiring Science & Engineering (RISE) was set-up in 2008 by FTC team #32 Einstein's Daughters to partner with groups which needed access to an organization with 501(c)(3) status. Your donors give to RISE, and your team submits receipts for reimbursement until those funds are depleted. There is no charge for working through RISE to receive charitable donations your team has obtained.
RISE does not have a website at this time, but the contact person is JD Morrison, and his email is <[email protected]>. The address of RISE is:
RISE
c/o JD Morrison
3027 Whittier St.
San Diego, CA
92106
A number of San Diego FTC and FLL teams have worked with a local 501(c)(3) organization to obtain charitable donations. Robotics Inspiring Science & Engineering (RISE) was set-up in 2008 by FTC team #32 Einstein's Daughters to partner with groups which needed access to an organization with 501(c)(3) status. Your donors give to RISE, and your team submits receipts for reimbursement until those funds are depleted. There is no charge for working through RISE to receive charitable donations your team has obtained.
RISE does not have a website at this time, but the contact person is JD Morrison, and his email is <[email protected]>. The address of RISE is:
RISE
c/o JD Morrison
3027 Whittier St.
San Diego, CA
92106
Places for questions and answers about this season's challenge and building and programming robots
- Curious about other teams or events in your area or zipcode? Try a community search at FIRST FTC (need to change country if searching in Mexico):
http://www.firstinspires.org/team-event-search#type=teams&sort=name&programs=FTC&year=2016&country=USA&stateprov=CA&zipCode=92082&distance=50 - Official FTC Forum - http://ftcforum.usfirst.org/forum.php
the only official answers and rulings on what's legal or illegal for the challenge - search official responses from FTC Forum, or locate teams in a specific map area - http://www.ftcroot.com/
convenient search function for specific terms in official Forum responses; map teams in certain regions - Chief Delphi FTC forum, spin-off of the FRC forums - https://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=146
- FTC Subreddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/FTC/
- get together with other teams for online video chat discussions on Google Hangout; they usually meet Monday afternoons Pacific time
FTC TEC Network (Team Engineering Collaborative)
sources for materials and robotics components, locally in San Diego and online
- Industrial Metal Supply Co - map 7550 Ronson Rd, 92111
aluminum, steel, other metals in extruded forms, sheets, etc.
metal remnants bin in back room for discounted prices - ePlastics / Ridout Plastics - map 5535 Ruffin Rd, 92123
acrylic, polycarbonate, adhesives, etc.
scrap plastic in bins out front - purchase by weight - Marshall's Industrial Hardware, Inc - map 8423 Production Ave, 92121
many hard to find tools and fasteners
also sells many plastic, metal sheets and other forms - Lindy
makes On-The-Go (OTG) cables in various lengths, also available on Amazon - McMaster-Carr
huge catalog of hardware, gears, chains, tools, fasteners - ServoCity - make an alternative to Tetrix called Actobotics, see blog post
- Brainstormers (FTC8644) from Lexington, MA has helpful videos on using Actobotics
ServoCity FIRST Hub - sign up for their FTC Newsletter and get free parts
FIRST Team discounts 25% off
FTC Team Sponsorships $1000 of Actobotics parts
Actobotics weekly product giveaway on Twitter
ServoCity.com newsletter and get entered to win a $100 gift certificate