Thor

		Hey guys! The name's Thor and I guess you could call me the head honcho, I mean, since I was the FIRST ROBOT TEAM 701 EVER MADE. Heh heh. I was actually built for a Physics project that two members (Russel Quintero and Jason McMillan) needed. The project was FIRST, a world-wide robotics program that was seen as a challenge worthwhile. So basically, I was built for a game. I was built to accomplish the challenges given by Diabolical Dynamics, the game FIRST announced that year. Four teams in one alliance were against the clock. Alliances scored points by placing playground balls into two octagonal movable goals that were eight feet tall and two feet wide. If they could, teams scored additional points by placing thirty inch exercise balls on top of the movable goals. Bonus points were given if teams were on the opposite side of the field at the end of a match. Multiplier points were given if the movable goals were balanced on a teeter -totter and if the match was finished in under one minute and thirty seconds. Lot's for a robot to think about huh? Well, don't worry, I had a great group of people by my side helping me along the way. So in the following six weeks, the rookie team of Keith Mueller, Jason

Hey guys! The name's Thor and I guess you could call me the head honcho, I mean, since I was the FIRST ROBOT TEAM 701 EVER MADE. Heh heh.

I was actually built for a Physics project that two members (Russel Quintero and Jason McMillan) needed. The project was FIRST, a world-wide robotics program that was seen as a challenge worthwhile.

So basically, I was built for a game. I was built to accomplish the challenges given by Diabolical Dynamics, the game FIRST announced that year. Four teams in one alliance were against the clock. Alliances scored points by placing playground balls into two octagonal movable goals that were eight feet tall and two feet wide. If they could, teams scored additional points by placing thirty inch exercise balls on top of the movable goals. Bonus points were given if teams were on the opposite side of the field at the end of a match. Multiplier points were given if the movable goals were balanced on a teeter -totter and if the match was finished in under one minute and thirty seconds. Lot's for a robot to think about huh? Well, don't worry, I had a great group of people by my side helping me along the way.

So in the following six weeks, the rookie team of Keith Mueller, Jason

McMillan, Russel Quintero, Kevin Mueller, JC Hamilton, Matt Cochrane, Jeff Osterman, and Kim Bubar began to brainstorm. Pictures were drawn, ideas were discussed, and I, a pile of metal at the time, hoped that I would be strong enough in time for the game.

I was driven by two Fisher-Price Motors and transmissions connected to my rear wheels. I had caster wheels in the front. My arms were pneumatic, one on each side to grab goals and hold the ramp. I do remember during competiton the Judge's complimenting on those arms. They were at just the right height to help balance the bridge.

That year, I was only able to attend the Los Angeles Regional , but it was a fantastic experience. After 9 matches on Friday, March 16th and Saturday March 17th, Team 701 ranked 27th out of 48 teams. I thought that was pretty good for a rookie team. Especially since my unique design (my very unique design) and skilled team of operators were noticed enough to be picked second out of forty teams during selection! (Did I mention my design was very unique?) Our alliance took third place, leaving our team very thrilled and knowledgeable than before.

Profile Information provided by: Mr. Green

As written: Priya Rangan, December 2007