The FEDS - History

The History of The FEDS (1998-present) Click on the headers to find out more about that year!

2012

Rebound Rumble

Team Coordinator: Louis Martin

2011

Logomotion

Team Coordinator: Louis Martin
Teacher Mentor: Mrs. Rosell
Student Leadership: Derek martin, David DerManuelian, Tanner Ellsworth, Ale Dinsmoor
Team Sponsors: GM (R & D), AVL The Game: Logomotion
Game Describtion: In Logomotion, alliances raced to hang inflated tubes on pegs to form the FIRST logo. Each side of the field had 2 peg boards, 3 rows each. The higher a tube was hung, the more it was worth. The top row was worth 3 pts, the middle row was worth 2pts, and the bottom was worth one. In autonomous, robots could hang a yellow ubertube, worth 6 pts each. A tube placed over an ubertube in the teleoperated period was worth twice as much, and if the FIRST logo was made using the tubes, the points for that entire row were doubled! At the end of the game, teams could deploy mini-bots which could make or break the game.
The Robot: Competitions we participated in: Traverse City District, Detroit District Event at Wayne State University, Michigan State Championships
How We Did: We improved vastly across the season. We won our first district event in serveral years, were finalists at Wayne State, and fought a valiant battle at states with undoubtedly the worst schedule of any team. Though we only made it to the quarter finals,the event was extremely intense and we played our best. We did not make it to worlds, but we proceeded to make some vital changes in our team oragnization and chose to participate in some off-season events.
Awards: Winner (Traverse), Finalist (Wayne), Woodie Flowers Award district winner (Traverse, Larry Roy), Judges Award (Traverse), Industrial Design Award (Detroit), and Numberous Safety Awards at each competition.
Between team Relationships: During the 2011 season, we formed a veru strong and very spirited alliance with 1918 and team 144 at Traverse. We maintained friendships with them throughout the season. We also continued our friendship with team 33, the killer bee's, which grew a lot at nationals in 2010 when we were division finalists together. After the season was over, we had a buffalo-wild wings night with our sister team 245, The Adambots, to watch the State Competition on TV. We also experienced much excitement with teams 217 and 469 at states when we competed in the elimination rounds together. Though we were defeated in the quarterfinals, both of them made it to nationals and we had quite a party before we were out of the game.
Team Developments: This was an incredible season for the FEDS! We had autonomous, struggled, but managed to create a mini-bot, and We won many awards and our team statistics and individual performance improvement rates as competition went on were very satisfying.For the first time in many years we did not make it to nationals. This was obviously disappointing, but gave us some new perspective, and we have entered the 2012 season with many definite goals based off of our experiences in past years. Safety became a major focus for us, and with that we won several safety awards. We also participated in some off-season events.It was an exciting send off for some incredible seniors who we still miss, but have learned much from and hope to make proud.

2010

Breakaway

Team Coordinator: Louis Martin
Teacher Mentor: Mrs. Rosell
Student Leadership: Alex Dinsmoor, Natalie Debusschere, Haleigh Dever
Team Sponsors: GM (R & D), AVL
The Game: Breakaway
Game Description: Breakaway required teams to play a variation of soccer with robots. There were two goals on each side of the field in which alliances scored. Goals were worth 1 point each. With bumps and tunnels in the way, teams had to design robots able to traverse difficult terrain safely and quickly. Matches lasted 2 minutes and 15 seconds and, just like in past seasons, the first 15 seconds were autonomous; meaning robots ran on pre-programmed software without human interaction. The last 20 seconds of the game brought back a task from several years ago: hanging the robot. If a team successfully hung their robot from a tower by the end of the round, they would receive 2 bonus points. Any robot hanging off of an alliance partner's robot would receive a whopping 3 bonus points!
The Robot: Our robot was a low profile bot with rubber friction tires in the front and omni wheels in the back. Such a drive system allowed us approach the bumps from any angle and come off of them straight. Our most notable feature this year was our hanging arm. This intricate scissor arm was launched by a gas strut. A hook would then grab the tower. From there our robot pulled itself up to receive an extra 2 points!
Competitions we participated in: Kettering District Event, Detroit District Event, Michigan State Championships, World Championships
How We Did: Although our robot was not the most powerful shooter, it sure got the job done. 2010 was a phenomenal year for the FEDS. At all competitions we made it to at least the semi finals. We placed in the top 25 in the world, something we hadn’t accomplished since 2006.
Awards: Finalists, Website Excellence Award
Between Team Relationships: During the 2010 season, The FEDS met up with Team 245 to practice and test out each other's robots before the competition. This further strengthened our relationship and gave us valuable information to improve our designs.
Team Developments:Our team adopted a new mentor this year and faced many changes in management. The change in leadership provided a change in perspective and allowed the students to expand and further apply their ideas.

2009

Lunacy

Team Coordinator: Mr. Herderich
Teacher Mentor: Mrs. Hackerd & Mrs. Rosell
Student Leadership: Lucas Neugebauer, Stephanie Herderich, Natalie Debusschere
Team Sponsors: GM (R & D)
The Game: Lunacy
Game Description: Lunacy was played on a low friction field between two alliances of three robots each. The goal of the game was to score as many “Moon Rocks” as posible into a trailers attached to an opposing robots. The team that scores the most Moon Rocks into their opponents' trailers wins the match. In the last 15 seconds of the game, if a team has given their human players special “Empty Cells” they may try to score “Super Cells” which are worth 15 times the score of a moon rock.
The Robot: Our robot was a simple tower design that sucked balls up from the field floor and utilized a belt system to manipulate the balls to the top of the tower. There was a rotating turret on top of the robot that would allow our robot to score from all sides. Although our robot was simple, it was not effective at scoring balls as fast as some of the other robots.
Competitions we participated in: Traverse City District Event, Detroit District Event, Michigan State Championships, World Championships
How We Did: Although our robot was not the fastest at scoring balls, our human player was one of the best in FIRST and lead us to semi finalist finishes at all of our competitions expect for the World Championships. We were an alliance captain for the first time in many years and received an award for the first time since 2006.
Awards: Motorola Quality Award, Website Award
Between Team Relationships: During the summer of 2009, The FEDS teamed up with Team 245 to participate in the Relay for Life after picking them at MSC. This further strengthened our relationship with our sister team.
Team Developments: With this being the last year with the current mentor, our team took time to prepare everyone for a leadership switch. This made the transition easier for the team.

2008

Overdrive

Team Coordinator: Mr. Herderich
Teacher Mentor: Mrs. Mclaughlin & Mrs. Hackerd
Student Leadership: Steve Spry & Vishan Dhamsania (Team Captains), Stephanie Herderich (Junior Captain), & various department captains
Team Sponsors: GM (R & D)
Game Description: Two alliances, one red and one blue, composed of three teams each, compete in each match. The object of the game is to attain a higher score than your opponent by making counter-clockwise laps with your robot around the track while moving large trackballs over and/or under the overpass that bisects the track. A match is 2 minutes and 15 seconds long. A hybrid period starts each match in which the robots are controlled by pre-programmed instructions and/or transmitted information from the Robocoach. The hybrid period is followed by the teleoperated period during which the drivers assume control of the robot. Points are gained for going around the field and knocking the ball down in the hybrid period. Points are gained at the end of the game for trackballs on the overpass. The Robocoach uses a TV remote to coach the robot at any point during the game.
The Robot: The robot was built with an arm to transport the ball around the field. Halfway through build season, we accidently realized we could actually flip the ball over the bar using the second arm on the robot. The robot used a 2-wheel pneumatic shifting transmission to speed around the field. We soon perfected the process of flipping the ball over the bar and driving fast around the field.
Competitions we participated in: Boilermaker Regional, Great Lakes Regional, & FIRST Championship
How We Did: We were picked at every regional and competition, because we were very good at defending against other teams. Although we did not win any awards, we competed very well.
Awards: None
Between Team Relationships: These relationships were improved a great deal, because with every time our team was picked, we made more friends between teams and increased the probability of being picked again in the future.
Team Developments: When Mrs. Mclaughlin retired at the end of the year, a teacher mentor change had to be made to Mrs. Hackerd. Stephanie Herderich and Lucas Neugebauer were elected as Senior Captains and Natalie Debusschere was elected as Junior Captain. More parents started to help out with the team, and that helped to take some stress off of the other mentors.

2007

Rack N’ Roll

Team Coordinator: Mr. Herderich
Teacher Mentor: Mrs. Mclaughlin & Mrs. Hackerd
Student Leadership: John Mathieson (Team Captain) & various department captains
Team Sponsors: GM (R & D)
The Game: Rack 'N' Roll
Game Description: Two alliances, one red and one blue, composed of three teams each, compete in each match. The object of the game was to attain a higher score than your opponent alliance by placing toroidal game pieces on the central goal structure (the rack), and/or by having robots in their home zone and not in contact with the playing field at the end of the match. The number of tubes in a row increased the score exponentially. During autonomous a robot could chose to place a game piece on the rack using the camera, and this game piece could not be blocked by any other tubes. Black spoilers were used to block rows of tubes. The final 15 seconds of the match was called the end game. During this period, no robot may be in an opposing alliance home zone. The intent of this period is to permit alliances to attempt to score bonus points without undue interference.
The Robot: Our robot had a nice gripper that grabbed the tubes from the side and easily hung them on a spider-leg. The only issue was that our arm moved rather slowly, even though it could reach all three rows. We were also able to have our autonomous code working in the end of our season. The robot also had huge ramps that could be used at the end of the game, but never were used.
Competitions we participated in: Great Lakes Regional & West Michigan Regional
How We Did: We had radio trouble, and since our arm was slow, we were not as fast as other robots. We did try to not use our ramps in the second competition, and use other team’s ramps, but there never was a need during matches. We ended up in the top 30 in both competitions. During this year, the human player became more of a strategist to decide where the tubes went. These human players were Natalie Debusschere and Kyle Kowalski.
Awards: None
Between Team Relationships: During the West Michigan regional, our team and Rochester Adam’s team 245, the Adambots, collected money for relay for life from 2:01 to 2:45. During the following summer, a few FEDS ran with the Adams team in the relay for life at Adams high school.
Team Developments: The team once again realized that the stress of team captain is too much for one person, and therefore held the first elections for student leadership. Two Senior Co-captains, Steve Spry and Vishan Dhamsania, and a Junior Captain, Stephanie Herderich, were chosen.

2006

Aim High

Team Coordinator: Mr. Herderich
Teacher Mentor: Mrs. Mclaughlin, Mrs. Malsbury & Ms. Milczynski
Student Leadership: Fiona Turett & Earl Legree (Team Captains) John Mathieson (Junior Captain)
Team Sponsors: GM (R & D)
The Game: Aim High
Game Description: Two alliances, one red and one blue, composed of three teams each, compete in each match. The object of the game is to attain a higher score than your opponent alliance by scoring balls in the center or corner goals, and/or by having robots on your platform or ramp at the end of the match. Robots started with balls or could get balls from the field or human players. Whichever alliance won autonomous period was on defense, and was not allowed to score on their goals. While an alliance was on defense they had to leave at least one robot of their alliance on the other side of the field. Then after 40 seconds, they would be on offense. During the last 40 seconds, it would be a free for all, where anyone could score.
The Robot: The robot easily picked balls from the field using a roller and an Archimedes screw. Our robot could track the location of that goal from anywhere on the field using a camera tracking a green light. Once we were locked on we never missed. We had 12 different autonomous modes in order to surprise the opposing teams. The robot had trouble getting up and down the ramp, until the wheels were switched in Atlanta.
Competitions we participated in: Great Lakes Regional, West Michigan Regional, & FIRST Championship
How We Did: We placed in the top 12 seeded teams in Great Lakes. We were picked in the Great Lakes Regional, but only made it to the semi-finals. Then, we were not picked in West Michigan even though we were 10th place and were almost picked as an alliance leader. Then Atlanta came. We ended up placing 53rd before picking. Then out nowhere the 2nd seeded alliance picked us as their second pick. Team 177 had the best defense that season and because of that they were able to block for us. With our great alliance we won the Galileo division and became the third best alliance in the world. We graciously received a trophy and a large banner. Unfortunately, we did not become world champions, because both our alliance members broke down in the third match. The human player this year was Charlie Steffens, who easily got balls to the robot and manually scored.
Awards: Champions in the Galileo Division
Between Team Relationships: The opinion of the FEDS was changed by many teams, causing the team to be considered more often for alliance choices. The famous triplets, (1114, 1503, & 1680), made their first appearance in this year and gave rise to the idea of twin robots and triplet robots to other teams and for years to come.
Team Developments: The team realized that the teacher mentor could no longer “do it all”, so during the year a team coordinator was chosen. With the rise of the team coordinator, less student leadership was thought to be needed because of the variety of captains in different departments. Also, with the growth of the team’s popularity, the team created an application process to pick future members. As well, Senior Team Captain Fiona Turett donated much of the ground work for this team history, and graduated in this year. She is currently going to Washington State and plans to work with NASA.

1998-2005

Previous History

2005
In 2005, the FEDS played great matches and ended up being a back-up robot for eliminations at the Great Lakes Regional, West Michigan Regional, and the Championship Event. After a semi-final loss at the Great Lakes Regional, the team placed 10th in the seeding matches at West Michigan. With the ability to score baskets autonomously as well as with human drivers, the FEDS were a powerful team throughout the season. At the Nationals in Atlanta, Georgia, the FEDS won the Galileo Division, earning their first trip to the Einstein championship field. The team came out 3rd overall in the world.

2004
The year 2004 brought many changes within the team structure. A decision to use an advanced drive train consumed most of the season. While the team did not place in any competitions, the knowledge gained from experimenting with swerve drive was a benefit to team members that would prepare us for the next year.

2003
The 2003 FIRST season was exciting for the FEDS. After incredibly close matches at the Great Lakes and Midwest regional, we traveled to Houston, Texas for the Championship Event. The team rallied to a 2nd seed and won the Division Finalist title in the Archimedes Division. Once again we held the 5th place in the country.

2000-2002
With our original number, 201, and a new sponsorship from Visteon, the team came on strong. We captured the #1 seed and regional championship with an undefeated performance at the Great Lakes Regional and placed 9th overall at Nationals. On top of that, our talented animation team received a Compelling Creativity award for their exciting and original entry. That fall, the FEDS hosted the first-ever OCCRA tournament, placed 2nd at all three regional competitions, and took 2nd place in the 2000 OCCRA finals. The FEDS also won numerous judged awards that season. Winter 2001 brought yet another change to the FIRST game, one that provided a major challenge to our team. It was a difficult Season, but its challenges presented opportunities for the team to learn new strategies and techniques. In the end, it energized the team to make a better showing the next year. Following the disappointing 2001 season, in 2002 the FEDS emerged older, wiser, and stronger than ever. In a must-win situation to qualify for the National Championship at Epcot Center, we entered the Buckeye Regional ready to take on the world. We emerged with our second regional champion trophy in three years. After qualifying for nationals, we went on to take 3rd at the Midwest Regional, finished the season with a 5th place National award, and earned an Einstein Division Finalist award.

1998-1999
FEDS 201 started in 1998, and since that time we have won 12 awards in the FIRST Robotics Competition and many more in the Oakland County Competitive Robotics Association (OCCRA). In 1998, we were one of the great surprises at the FIRST Great Lakes Regional. Our rookie team became known as the “Featherweight in the Finals” as ours was the lightest robot to make it to the elimination rounds. We came close to winning the regional, but lost in the final round. Thanks to the generosity of a few veteran teams we ended going to the Nationals and did fairly well. In 1999, the game changed to incorporate 2v2 alliances. The RHS team obtained its first major corporate sponsor, EDS, and with it, a new team name. The only year we had the number 251, 1999 was good for the FEDS, but relatively uneventful.