Texas Torque: Team 1477 – Page 24 – Building Futures One Robot at a Time.

Summer Robotics

The last thing on the minds of most students is going back to school, but that is exactly what Texas Torque will do on Tuesday, June 4, from 3 to Continue Reading →

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OverviewFIRST Robotics Team 1477 Texas Torque is a high school robotics team out of The Woodlands, TX dedicated to giving our members hands-on experiences in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Outreach

At Texas Torque, we employ our resources and influence as community leaders to act as a vehicle for extending the reach of STEM throughout our area.

Teamwork

Through student interaction, team members find a collaborative and engaging environment that facilitates creativity, inspiration, and growth.

Programs

Our team works to strengthen the presence of STEM by founding, mentoring, and supporting both local and international FIRST teams.

FIRST Robotics Competition 2014 Kickoff

Posted on January 4, 2014 by Scott Rippetoe

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

Posted on December 1, 2013 by Scott Rippetoe

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.

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

Posted on November 16, 2013 by Scott Rippetoe

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

Posted on November 3, 2013 by Scott Rippetoe

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.

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.