Author: Scott Rippetoe

Halliburton Renews Platinum Sponsorship

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On Thursday, January 16, Halliburton officially renewed their enduring sponsorship of Texas Torque through a $10,000 donation. Halliburton Director of Strategic Planning Alan Coats passed on the check to Matt Davies, Texas Torque business mentor and director. The donation marks the eighth year of Halliburton’s sustained sponsorship of Texas Torque, having continued to provide support for the team from its early years. For this and much more, we are infinitely thankful and look forward to a sustained relationship between our two organizations.

Matt Davies receives the $10,000 check from Alan Coats.

Matt Davies receives the $10,000 check from Alan Coats.

Texas Torque Visits Halliburton

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Texas Torque team members took a trip down to the Halliburton North Belt Technology Center in Houston to further the long-standing relationship between team and sponsor. Both alumni and students had the opportunity to present on Texas Torque’s recent goals and achievements to Halliburton faculty and technology council. All representatives had the amazing experience of touring the Halliburton laboratories, led by company engineers.

The highlight of the visit came with Texas Torque’s demonstration of the 2013 robot, Sonic, to the Halliburton faculty. Following the demonstration, Torque engineers interacted with Halliburton engineers as the faculty members asked questions about the robot’s various functions. Mentors, alumni, and current students were all able to engage in this exchange of questions and ideas.

Co-captain Josh Beridon explains functions of Sonic to Halliburton employees.

Co-captain Josh Beridon explains functions of Sonic to Halliburton employees.

To continue this exchange, Texas Torque discussed the creation of a mentorship program with Halliburton; through this program, students on Texas Torque will be able to learn from the experiences and technical skills of the Halliburton engineers, whose experience in leading the students will surely be applicable on the job. We look forward to the continuation of our relationship with Halliburton and their constant support through our endeavors in and out of the FIRST Robotics season.

FIRST Robotics Competition 2014 Kickoff

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After an outstanding 2013 season and a wait seemed to take an eternity, Texas Torque met bright and early for the much-anticipated FIRST Robotics Competition KICKOFF, the webcast through which FIRST reveals the challenge of the year for all FRC teams.

This year’s game — “Aerial Assist” — requires teams to build a robot capable of passing a 2 foot diameter ball to other robots in order to score in ground and 7 foott high goals. Teams may also toss balls over a 5 foot high “truss” that spans the width of the field along the center line. The video released by FIRST is shown below (and can also be accessed under the “About FIRST” tab).

Texas Torque team members and mentors spent the day going over the new set of rules, potential strategies, and the beginnings of design. The event marks the beginning of the build season for Texas Torque; for the next six weeks, team members will work to design, prototype, and construct the robot for the year before the seven week competition season begins. This year, Texas Torque will be attending the Dallas Regional, Lone Star Regional, and the FIRST World Championship (held in St. Louis following the seventh week of competition).

We wish all teams the best of luck this season!

Texas Torque in New York for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

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Along with four other award-winning FIRST teams from around the nation, Texas Torque was chosen to kick off the festivities at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, New York. As the winner of the 2013 FIRST Robotics Competition Championship, Torque, in particular, was given the special honor of cutting the ribbon at the start of the parade. The weeks before the event were spent preparing the award-winning robot, SONIC, for the 2.5 mile journey and equipping the robot with the golden scissors supplied by Macy’s. The other teams attending the event were to build contraptions capable of shooting confetti during the parade.

In New York, four representatives of Texas Torque joined members of FRC 1538 (The Holy Cows), FRC 16 (Baxter Bomb Squad), FRC 25 (Raider Robotics), and FRC 180 (S.P.A.M.) in anticipation of the event. The Holy Cows and Texas Torque were featured in a morning news segment by Fox and Friends, adding to the multiple media appearances over the course of the week. In the highly-anticipated moment, Texas Torque and the other four teams made history by becoming the first robotics teams to begin the festivities at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, an event now witnessed by the 50 million viewers of the parade nationwide. SONIC successfully cut the red ribbon, and all teams and robots traveled the full length of the parade.

#runningwithscissors #makingitloud

The highly-anticipated moment in action. (Photo credit: Adriana M. Groisman)

FRC 1477, Texas Torque, would like to thank FIRST for the honor of representing the organization on the national stage. In addition, the team thanks the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade administration for the incredible opportunity and their support of the FIRST program, as well as FedEx and Southwest Airlines for their services and their partnership with FIRST. All supporters and sponsors of Texas Torque deserve our utmost gratitude for all of their help throughout this amazing year.

Texas Torque to Lead Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

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The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City has been a well-known (and well-attended) tradition for the past 86 years. Every year, the parade amazes those who watch it with mind-boggling presentations and floats.

Texas Torque has been given the honor of leading the parade along with four other FIRST Robotics Competition teams from the United States, including:

  • Team 1538, The Holy Cows, from San Diego, California
  • Team 180, S.P.A.M., from Stuart, Florida
  • Team 16, The Bomb Squad, from Mountain Home, Arkansas, and
  • Team 25, Raider Robotix, from North Brunswick, New Jersey

As the winner of the 2013 FIRST Robotics Competition Championship, Texas Torque will have the special honor of cutting the ribbon with the award-winning robot, “Sonic,”  to start the parade. All robots and teams will travel the length of the 2.5 mile parade.

Texas Torque’s 2013 robot, “Sonic,” is ready for the trip to New York City. #runningwithscissors

 

Texas Torque would like to thank Macy’s and the FIRST organization for this amazing opportunity and looks forward to the journey.

Follow the link to learn more:

http://www.usfirst.org/aboutus/robots-come-first-at-macys-thanksgiving-day-parade

Success at the Houston Robot Remix

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With the help of the FIRST Lone Star Region, Texas Torque was able to hold the Houston Robot Remix for the second year in a row — with great success. Over 20 teams attended the Remix this year, including FRC 5052, a pre-rookie team in the Houston area. Texas Torque team members worked alongside FIRST officials and volunteers in the area to keep the event running smoothly.

The Texas Torque drive team competed well, earning a #2 rank at the end of the qualification rounds. In alliance selection, an excellent alliance composed of FRC 3847 (Spectrum) and FRC 3335 (Cy-Ranch Cyborgs). After the tough elimination matches with some of the best teams in Texas, Texas Torque’s alliance triumphed, winning the finals against the #1 alliance.

SONY DSC

Team members of the winning alliance posed with their robots at the Houston Robot Remix.

 

In addition to bringing plenty of action to the gymnasium, the event brought together the efforts of the attendees to make a difference in the community. Texas Torque gathered donations for the Angel Reach Foundation, asking all teams to bring money or bedding for the local charity. Revenue from t-shirt sales at the event went towards the Montgomery County Women’s Center.

Texas Torque would like to congratulate FRC 4587 (Jersey Voltage), FRC 624 (CRyptonite), and FRC 4295 (Pure Energy) for finishing as finalists, as well as our alliance partners for a magnificent performance in yesterday’s elimination rounds. In addition, FRC 2587 (DiscoBots) deserve recognition for providing a robot and guidance to the pre-rookie team, FRC 5052. Last but certainly not least, we would like to extend our gratitude to all of the teams, volunteers, the Lone Star Region, and AndyMark for all of their help in making this event a wonderful way to end the Ultimate Ascent season. Texas Torque cannot wait until next year to make the event even bigger and better.