Category: Slideshow

Demo Blitz Week for Texas Torque

Posted on by

This past week has been one of the most active weeks in Texas Torque’s history, with robot tuning, lab organization… and three demonstrations at elementary schools in the Conroe Independent School District.

Team members distributed themselves among the three events at Armstrong Elementary, Anderson Elementary, and Bush Elementary, promoting science and technology at the various presentations. For many of the students, this was their first time getting to see a fully functional robot from Texas Torque; while some of the students remembered seeing our 2012 robot, VelociRiptar, we also presented our 2013 robot, Sonic, at two of the three demonstrations. Our students took great pride in explaining both the functions of our robot and our team to children and parents alike. Even our newest members were able to demonstrate knowledge of our team and FIRST as a whole.

And, of course, our team encouraged all students to join robotics if interested. We advertised FIRST programs to all students, suggesting everything from FIRST Lego League (FLL) to FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) as a channel for robotics experience. Many were pleasantly surprised to hear of our open membership policy and the range of students who can join Texas Torque in addition to the skill and poise that all volunteer members exhibited.

rsz_veloci

Texas Torque is proud to be such an influential factor in the scientific growth of our community’s youth. In the future, we will certainly continue to strive for an even greater impact.

Texas Torque Visits Halliburton

Posted on by

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.

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

Posted on by

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

Posted on by

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

Texas Torque Trailer Gets Makeover

Posted on by

As Texas Torque prepares for the upcoming FRC season, we decided to give a makeover to one of the most experienced, hardened members of the team — our trailer.

Previously black all the way around, the trailer now sports the Texas Torque logo, our name, and our team number on the side. The white, vinyl decals were donated by Signs Now of North Houston, which both created and applied the trailer’s brand new “makeover”.

We would like to thank Signs Now for their amazingly quick creation and installation of the decals; all in all, the entire process took less than two days. The company is well known for their customer service, and they are always willing to do the research necessary to do a job of the best possible quality. We could not be happier with their work, and are delighted to welcome them as appreciated sponsors of our team.

Texas Torque is delighted with its trailer's new vinyl decals, which were donated by Signs Now of North Houston.

Texas Torque is delighted with its trailer’s new vinyl decals, which were donated by Signs Now of North Houston.

Visit Signs now through their wesbite: http://www.signsnownorthhouston.com/

Signs Now of North Houston
25275 Budde Road
Suite 8
The Woodlands, Texas 77380

Practice At Sonny Carter Training Facility

Posted on by

Yesterday, Texas Torque went down to Sonny Carter Training Facility to get some pre-IRI practice in before game day. The field and refreshments were graciously provided by Team 118, who also opened up their entire headquarters for several other teams. In addition to the Robonauts and ourselves, Discobots,  CRyptonite, and Spectrum were all in attendance.

Whether it was playing mock defense on each other, talking about the upcoming event, or getting another look at these incredible machines, we had a lot of fun and are excited to see everyone at IRI. Good luck to all teams competing!