Animation 2009 -- CODE BLUE

FIRST Robotics headquarters gave this season's competitors an unusual but increasingly relevant challenge: to use biomimicry to inspire an engineering design that will solve a human problem. After all, biomimicry is the study and adaptation of already existing designs in nature to provide solutions for human issues, and in a society where green is the new black, nature has indeed become the muse of all the world. Upon hearing this unique animation challenge, Team MorTorq's initial reaction of "Huh?" quickly turned into an excited brainstorming session and exchange of creative ideas. After hours of deliberation, with each member pitching their own idea and improving upon those of their peers, the animation team finally settled on a compromise that truly satisfies all the members of this group of vibrant young leaders. And so, streaming forth from the BHHS Robotics computer screen this year is a design that will perhaps one day fully take ca­ re of the exponential problem that is ocean pollution. The team, taking inspiration from the graceful manta ray, has designed a manned submersible capable of cleansing the extraordinarily polluted waters of the world ocean.

Our Robot---MORBIT

This years robot, MORBIT, can shoot and herd moonrocks, empty cells, and super cells. It has a 26" diameter hopper that can store approximately 10 balls. To prevent jams we have a "blender" in our hopper that constantly stirs the balls. In addition, the bottom surface of our hopper is made of the Lunacy playing surface, regolith. Our shooting mechanism (named "the shnoob") is a traction wheel that compresses the balls against an upper plate and shoots them at varying distances. The shnoob can also be reversed so that we may obtain empty cells. Our hopper and shooter our one structure driven by 2 gears and a globe motor. It is all mounted on a delrin bearing and delrin supports for minimal friction. Our drive train consists of 2 cim motors, 2 toughboxes, and 4 wheels.
Our robot's name is a combination of our team name MorTorq and the game objects, orbit balls. Also, the "Bit" in MORBIT can be expanded to MorBallsInTrailer.

Pre-Ship Scrimmage--A Great Success

The 2009 Pre-Ship Event was held at Crenshaw High School on Saturday, February 14, 2009 and Sunday, February 15, 2009. Our team managed to attend on Sunday and had a chance to practice with many other teams. It was great to see some of our friends from other teams and begin working together in the spirit of FIRST. The event was sponsored by the Southern California Regional Robotics Forum or SCRRF. Team 1515 would like to thank everyone who participated in this event and we would also like to thank all of the organizers who put it together.

Community Service Continues

Reaching out to the community is an integral part of Team 1515's ideology, so the team spent some time making cards for children at Cedars-Sinai Hospital the week of February 2nd. A group of team-members drove to the hospital on February 5, 2009 to spread Valentine's Day cheer to children in the pediatric ward. The team received a warm welcome from hospital staff and went on to decorate the play-room in the ward. MorTorq team-members used paints and other art supplies to liven up the room for youngsters just in time for Valentine's Day. They painted on the glass windows and stuck hearts and valentines to the cabinets. A lot of creativity and cooperation resulted in a beautifully decorated play-area. Team-members also visited all the children in the pediatric ward and gave each child their own hand-made valentine. In addition, the team brought along a robot to show the kids, and children were given the opportunity to drive it if they wished. When the visit to Cedars-Sinai was over, the MorTorq team-members left knowing that they had brightened somebody's day.

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