DockBots'11

The third annual DockBots event was on Saturday 22 January. DockBots'11 had 36 teams from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland attend (thanks to the Super Sonic Sparks for driving 4 hours to come to the event!)

January is the start of wave 2 robots, the synthesis of early designs into robots that perform at a much higher level. There were a number of omni drives, but a surprising number of six wheel drive bases. Most robots could not only score, but could also remove rings. Lots of new strategy, lots of rings under the ladder. The only bot that could hang was 777 the Dockateer, a solid low hang. On average the match scores were higher than the December event that had most of the same teams.

My personal favorite was Sparks Team 23B. This robot had so much going on, from a pneumatic driven two speed shifter to an amazing ring handler mounted on one of the nicest turntables I've seen. They won a well deserved Amaze award. And the drivers pulled off a 5-0 record and were the second alliance Captain.

The VEXMEN team Nightcrawler received the Judges award for their unique claw design coupled to their four bar linkage. Five VEXMEN teams made it into the finals (90,84,80,98 and 81) and 81 made it into the Semi-finals.

Tournament Winners

677 - Monclair Robotics

24A - Super Sonic Sparks

169B - Haverford Robotics

169D - Haverford Robotics- Excellence

24C - Super Sonic Sparks - Design

76 - Driven Nuts - Build

24B - Super Sonic Sparks - Amaze

80 - Nightcrawler (Vexmen) - Judges

24A - Robot (drivers) Skills (83 pts)

677 - Programming Skills (22 pts)