Roanoke Robotics Society & Club
Some adults and a number of kids here in the Roanoke area of Southwestern Virginia are already enjoying robotics as a hobby, and you can too!
We are looking for folks who enjoy, or think they might enjoy, robotics as a hobby, as a fun way of learning about science, engineering and technology, or even as a possible career.
FIRST Lego League Robotics Team Members and Their Robot:
Goals:
-Inspire people to get excited about science and technology.
-Creating a regular forum for people to share their robotic creations and ideas, and learn from others.
-Create, Encourage & Mentor FIRST Lego League (FLL), Vex/FIRST Tech Challenge, and FIRST Robotics teams.
-Grow the hobby of educational robotics
-Build robots and robotics kits, like the kits available from Parallax, such as the BOE-Bot.
FIRST Robotics Team 1902’s Members and Their Robot:
Educational Robotics Links:
-Coaching FIRST Lego League (FLL) teams at Colonial Elementary School, the Colonial Cougars, in Blue Ridge, Botetourt County, VA. We won the Outstanding Coach Award at our Regional FLL Tournament in 2005, and the Robot Design Award in 2006.
-Vex Labs, the makers of the Vex Robotics kits.
-Parallax also makes robotics kits such as the BOE-Bot.
Two Fun Robots: A Professionally-Built Robot and a Kid-Built (FIRST Lego League) Robot:
What is FIRST Lego League (FLL)?
An international program created through a partnership between FIRST and the LEGO Group
Ø INSPIRES children, ages 9 to 14, to participate in science and technology
Ø ENGAGES kids in playful and meaningful learning
Ø PROVIDES a fun, creative, hands-on learning experience
Ø CHALLENGES kids to solve real-world problems using robotics
Ø TEACHES children to experiment and overcome obstacles
Ø BUILDS self-esteem and confidence
Our FLL team members work hard, learn a lot about science and technology, and how they can contribute to creating a better world. The children, parents and coaches all have a great time during the FLL season, including the November Regional Tournament in Christiansburg.
Sample from the FLL Comic Book:
We Want to Help Start New FLL Teams
The number of FLL Teams in the Roanoke Valley has doubled to two teams! J
Welcome to the newest FLL team in the Roanoke Valley! J www.robodesigners.com We look forward to cheering for you at the tournaments!
We are offering to provide support for new FLL teams in the Roanoke Valley region during the coming year:
- Mentor: We will work with and mentor new teams. We will donate time, energy, advice and technical assistance as you learn to coach your new FLL team.
- Scholarship: We will provide up to $260 in financial support per team, for to up to five new local teams. This one-time scholarship requires that your team complete one full FLL season. Please contact Kevin Hines for details regarding this scholarship.
Vex Robot Assembling Puzzle Pieces During a Competition:
BOE-Bot Educational Robotics Kit:
There is already a lot going on in robotics in this region:
-Virginia Tech is developing autonomous vehicle technology that will one day save lives.
Here are some award-winning VT Robotics teams:
- Autonomous Vehicle Team : www.avt.me.vt.edu/
- DARPA Grand Challenge Team: www.me.vt.edu/grandchallenge/
- Autonomous Helicopter Team: www.me.vt.edu/uav
- Autonomous Submarine Team: www.aoe.vt.edu/design/auvt/
- Blind Driver Challenge Team: www.me.vt.edu/hsav/
-AUVSI is forming a local chapter here, called the Blue Ridge Chapter.
-Cyber Motion has developed mobile robotic systems.
-Complete Optical Solutions develops optics for robotics applications, among other things.
-If your group or someone you know should be mentioned or linked from here, please let me know.
Omniwheel Robot with Three Omniwheels:
Prototype Robotic Helicopter:
If you are interested in robotics, or just want to learn more, then please contact me via email or telephone. Please put “Roanoke Robotics” in the subject line of your email.
Come join us and let’s build cool robots. Let’s build a better future together, for everyone.
Thanks,
Kevin and Friends
Kevin Hines
Coach, FIRST Lego league
Mentor, FIRST Robotics Challenge
Email: KevinHines@aol.com
Cell Telephone: 540-819-8020
This web site is sponsored by Complete Optical Solutions