FIRST Overdrive
2008 FIRST
Game
FIRST Overdrive is played on a 54' by 27' carpeted field, divided lengthwise by a fence median to create a track, and separate the field into Red and Blue zones. The fence is crossed by an overpass marking the red and blue finish lines, and hold the game pieces: 40" diameter inflated balls called "Trackballs". Two alliances of three teams race around the track in a counter clockwise direction while manipulating the trackballs to score points.
2008 FIRST Robot
Simbot SS
Robot Overview
- "Simbot SS - Simplicity In Design" - An overview of the robot's core features. Used as a submission for the GM Industrial Design Award.
Specifications
- 6WD, 2 Speed Drivetrain, using modified AndyMark Gen-1 Shifters and 4"x1" IFI Traction Wheels, geared for approximately 6 and 16 fps.
- Shoulder joint powered by a Fisher-Price motor and a modified FP gearbox
- Roller Claw to pickup trackball, powered by a RS-550 motor and a custom gearbox using gears from FP transmissions
Launcher
- Powered outwards with surgical tubing
- Tubing pulls 3/4" anodized aluminum rod, when the winch is released
- Winch powered by a FP motor through a Dewalt transmission
- Winch pulley is engaged and released by a custom dog gear on a 2"x1" cylinder
- When the dog is disengaged, the winch shifts into neutral, allowing the pulley to spin freely, thereby propelling the ram into the ball for launch
Sensors
- Drive: Encoders placed on both sides of the drivetrain keep track of the distance travelled. A gyro keeps track of angle. Feedback from both allows us to keep track of our exact coordinates on the field. This allows for dynamic generation of hybrid modes
- Arm: A potentiometer mounted to the shoulder joint measures the rotation of the arm. This allows for the use of pre-programmed buttons to move the arm to pickup and launch positions
- IR: An IR receiver takes input from the Robocoach who can signal our alliance's ball positions on both sides of the overpass via a remote control
2008 FIRST Season Recap
After the success of the previous few seasons, Team 1114 came in ready to take the next step as a team. A new team was founded with the aid and mentoring of Team 1114, Team 2505 at Don Mills Collegiate Institute in North York, ON. Team 1114 won their second Regional Chairman's Award at the Waterloo Regional. With our simplest robot to date, Simbot SS, the team took home three regional victories for the second time in 1114 history, with wins at the Midwest, Waterloo and Toronto Regionals. Team 1114 advanced to the World Championships in Atlanta with large expectations, considered by many the favourites to win it all. A strong qualifying round record led the team to a first overall seed, enabling us to select an alliance of Teams 217, the Thunderchickens, and 148, the Robowranglers. Despite competition from strong alliances representing the Archimedes and Curie divisions, Team 1114 won their first ever FRC World Championship.
Driver: Brandon P.
Operator: Chris L.
Robocoach: Luke V.
Coach: Derek B.
Chairman's Presenters: Matt C., Candice E., Stuart M
2008 FIRST Events
FIRST Championship - Einstein Field
Results
- World Champion - Gold Medalist
- Galileo champions
- Defeated Newton champions: Teams 60, 233, 968
- Defeated Curie champions: Teams 16, 67, 348
- Elimination Record: 4-1
View all 19 photos
After an extremely difficult competition, Simbotics emerged from the Galileo division with a record of (7-0-0) in the qualification matches, and (6-0-0) in the elimination rounds. We partnered with team 217 "The Thunder Chickens" and team 148 "Robowranglers" to win the Galileo division.
Our alliance competed in an intense set of matches on the Einstein field. After a loss in the... More
FIRST Championship - Galileo Division
Results
- Division Champion - Gold Medalist
- 7-0 record in qualifying, Ranked 1st of 86 teams
- 1st Alliance Captain
- Elimination alliance: Teams 1114, 217, 148
- Elimination Record: 6-0
View all 19 photos
After an extremely difficult competition, Simbotics emerged from the Galileo division with a record of (7-0-0) in the qualification matches, and (6-0-0) in the elimination rounds. We partnered with team 217 "The Thunder Chickens" and team 148 "Robowranglers" to win the Galileo division.
Our alliance competed in an intense set of matches on the Einstein field. After a loss in the... More
Greater Toronto Regional
Results
- Regional Champion - Gold Medalist
- 8-0 record in qualifying, Ranked 1st of 66 teams
- 1st Alliance Captain
- Elimination alliance: Teams 1114, 2056, 2166
- Elimination Record: 6-0
- Industrial Design Award
View all 14 photos
Simbotics seeded first at the Greater Toronto Regional with a record of 8-0 and aligned with 2056 and 2166 in the elimination rounds. They played well together in the elimination rounds defeating an alliance of 1507, 1503 and 247 in the finals to win, our third regional win of the season. A special thanks to team 2056, "Patriotics" and team 2166, "Bluebotics", for being amazing alliance partners! More
Waterloo Regional
Results
- Regional Champion - Gold Medalist
- 8-3 record in qualifying, Ranked 3rd of 30 teams
- 1st pick in alliance selection
- Elimination Alliance: Teams 2056, 1114, 1680
- Elimination Record: 6-0
- Best Website Award
- GM Industrial Design Award
- Chairman's Award
View all 23 photos
Simbotics came back from the Waterloo regional as the number three seeded team with a record of 8-3. They were the first pick in the alliance selection. Together with teams 2056, "Patriotics" and team 1680, "FESStronics", the alliance won the regional. Simbotics also came home with the Website Design Award and the GM Industrial Design award. The judges also recognized our outreach efforts by awarding us with the Chairman's Award - FIRST's... More
Midwest Regional
Results
- Regional Champion - Gold Medalist
- 8-2 record in qualifying, Ranked 3rd of 42 teams
- 1st pick in alliance selection, declined offer. 3rd alliance captain
- Elimination Alliance: Teams 1114, 1024, 2041
- Elimination Record: 6-1
View all 14 photos
Simbotics returns from the Midwest Regional in Chicago with a regional win. They were the number three seeded team with a record of 8-2, and were the third alliance captain (after declining the first pick). We'd like to thank our mentors, parents, and sponsors for their hard work and determination - we couldn't have done it without you! Another huge thanks goes to team 1024, the "McKenzie Kil-A-Bytes" and team 2041,... More
2008 Publicity
The Simbots on Degrassi
An episode of Degrassi: The Next Generation featuring Team 1114's robots and students.
Part 1 - Originally aired 30/11/08.
Part 2 - Originally aired 18/01/09. More
Simbotics Takes FIRST
An inspired team of students from Governor Simcoe Secondary School in St. Catharines, Ont. can claim international bragging rights for robotics innovation. Future engineers on team 1114, also known... More
Building future robotics
Thanks to an inspiring team of students at Governor Simcoe Secondary School in St. Catharines, Ont., Canada has international bragging rights in the development of robotics innovations by tomorrow... More
St. Catharines high school team wins world robotics competition
A high school team from St. Catharines, Ont., teamed with two schools from the U.S. to win a world title in robotics over the weekend in Atlanta.
The 25-student team from Governor Simcoe Secondary... More
Champion robotics team on a high
TV crews descended on the high school. A sign outside trumpeted the team's win. Inside, the halls buzzed with news about how some of Governor Simcoe's own defied nerves to win a world... More
Ontario robotics team wins world championships
Students on a high school robotics team from St. Catharines, Ont. have been crowned world champions after battling more than 1,500 squads for the top spot.
Twenty-five students from Governor Simcoe... More
World championship for local robotics team
A robotics team from Governor Simcoe Secondary School became a world champion this weekend.
The Simbotics, a team of 25 tech-minded students aged 14 to 18, won the annual FIRST Championship in... More
On top of the robotics world; Governor Simcoe's Simbotics win international battle
A robotics team from Governor Simcoe Secondary School became a world champion this weekend.
The Simbotics, a team of 25 tech-minded students aged 14 to 18, won the annual FIRST Championship in... More
Simcoe teams up with Fort Erie Secondary to win Waterloo Robotics Challenge
The Simbots have successfully defended their title.
The Governor Simcoe Secondary School robotics team, dubbed Team 1114 Simbotics, found themselves in the winners’ circle at the Waterloo... More
Governor Simcoe's robotics team not taking any breaks
It's March break, but beyond the locked doors of Governor Simcoe Secondary School is a robotics team that doesn't believe in weeks off.
The Simbotics, who are 20 students from Grades 9 to 12... More
Simcoe strikes gold in Chicago
Governor Simcoe Secondary School’s robot team picked up first place in a regional competition staged in Chicago.
The team, Simbotics, built a robot over a period of six weeks for the (For... More
Governor Simcoe aims for FIRST
Working on it late every school night and even more on the weekends, the robotics team at Governor Simcoe Secondary School have said good-bye to their creation.
At least for now.
On Tuesday, members... More