Week Three Update - 1/27/09

We have just about recovered from being 3 days behind schedule and expect to meet our 2/1 deadline for the build of our competition robot! Our electrical and control systems subteams have completed not only the benchtop tasks, but have transplanted the new system onto an old bot. The test bot has been turned over to programming and they are developing VIs to address the anticipated programming tasks. Electrical and control systems are now designing the layout of the boards for the competition bot.

On the mechanical front, we have tested the old bot on the new surface with rover wheels while attached to a trailer with rover wheels. The drivetrain subteam has completed their initial drive design, ordered parts, and expect to be finished by the end of the week. The manipulator subteam has successfully prototyped their concepts for 2 of the 3 tasks and are in the process of resolving the last concept. The integration subteam has seen all of the plans and presented a mockup of the completed robot at last night's meeting. All Beta Realm subteams are confident that the robot will be alive by Sunday!

Website, fundraising, outreach and mentoring all reported progress with their goals, but they could use more support from the team. The February Scrimmage details have been sent to the 18 participating teams and posted on our blog. The details will be on our website's event section soon. We continue our weekly visits to help other teams and expect a second team to begin meeting onsite with us. Due to news received Friday and shared last night, our major funding hurdles are not over. Be sure to pass any sponsorship leads on to Jackie Moore for follow up. Communicate via the google group between meetings for details on how each member can better contribute to the efforts of our Alpha Realm subteams. Full participation in both realms is what defines a committed Chicago Knight!