By IAIN MCMURRAY
The Progress
The MVHS Robotics group compete within the Sloan Canyon Robotics Invitational in Henderson final weekend. The groups received excessive awards for his or her efficiency within the match. PHOTO BY JORJA FREEMAN/The Progress
The Moapa Valley Excessive College Robotics Groups had an enormous day on Saturday, Jan. 28 as they competed within the Sloan Canyon Invitational in Henderson.
The groups have been full of pleasure as they competed in six qualifier matches towards with 43 different groups within the area.
The robotic was constructed and programmed completely by the scholars utilizing components from Vex Robotics. Work on the robotic began all the way in which again in August.
The competitors this yr is known as Spin Up, and alliances, that are comprised of two separate groups, can rating factors by capturing disks into an elevated aim and spinning coloured rollers. The sport consists of an autonomous interval, the place robots act as programmed with out human intervention, and a driver-controlled interval the place college students function the robotic through distant management.
Every competitors has six qualification matches the place alliances with different groups are randomly assigned, adopted by an elimination bracket to find out the match winner.
The MVHS groups carried out nicely. One of many two groups went undefeated within the match. The opposite group misplaced solely as soon as on the match and that was to the opposite group from Moapa Valley.
After the qualification matches, the groups have been the primary and fifth seeds, and selected to accomplice collectively for the elimination bracket.
The groups handily received their first match of the elimination bracket, profitable 182-21. They then superior to the quarter finals, the place they received once more, this time by a lesser margin. Their semifinals match obtained nearer, as they received 187-71.
The finals match, nonetheless, was a bit of bit extra fascinating. Over the last ten seconds of the match, robots are allowed to develop, and are given factors for every of the sector tiles that they contact. To maximise their rating, the Moapa robots have been fitted with string launchers that might activate and shoot strings to the touch as many tiles as potential.
However in the course of the autonomous interval, one of many robots’ launchers by chance triggered early, leading to it being disabled for the remainder of the match; not allowed to maneuver. Regardless of that, the remaining group pressed on, rapidly regaining management of the match and profitable 114-63.
The group was ecstatic with their success.
“The competition was a really exciting experience,” mentioned Josh Linford, head mechanic and driver for one of many groups. “It was a lot of fun, and I am excited for the future of our robotics teams.”
There’s extra to the meet than simply the match, although. Robots additionally compete in a “skills” competitors, the place they’ve one minute to attain as many factors as potential. The Moapa groups positioned first and second within the abilities portion of the competitors.
Groups additionally doc their design course of all through the season of their “Engineering Design Notebook” and submit them to be judged. This could earn the group sure awards, a few of that are thought-about much more prestigious than profitable the match. One of many groups was given the Assume Award, which is given to the group with the simplest and constant use of coding methods.”
The opposite MVHS group was given the Excellence Award, essentially the most prestigious award given on the match. It acknowledges total excellence in all areas of their design, technique, and efficiency.
“We did really well!” mentioned Joey Barnes, a mechanic for one of many groups. “We were able to overcome all of our challenges and work really well together.”
The coach, Bryan Linford was happy along with his groups’ performances. “It was great to watch our teams improve and compete,” he mentioned. “They really went out and represented our valley well. It was fun to watch other teams and coaches asking for advice from our students. I’m very proud to be part of such a great program.”
The groups will likely be competing once more subsequent week within the Battle for Las Vegas towards groups from all throughout the nation.
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