Like we did last year, AURA has made a timetable that people in NZ can use to make World Champs spectating easier: https://www.aura.org.nz/2015-worlds-viewing-timetable There are 10 New Zealand teams competing at Worlds this year. AURA is competing in the Vex U competition, and 10890B (Otumoetai Intermediate) is competing in the Vex IQ competition. The following teams are competing in the …
AURA’s 2015 educational video contest submission
This is the video that we entered in this year’s RECF educational video competition (the video was not eligible to win the competition because it exceeded the maximum length). We use the term “Back Voltage” here rather than “Back EMF” because the video is aimed at an audience that understands what a voltage is but doesn’t necessarily understand the term …
Second Auckland ladder scrimmage – 5 July
Auckland’s second ladder scrimmage was very well attended. 31 teams competed in six matches each to try to improve their ranking on the qualification ladder for NZ Nationals 2015. Teams are ranked on the Nationals qualification ladder according to their win percent across all of their scrimmages. The top three teams on the ladder are now 7682 (Wingus and Dingus) …
First Auckland ladder scrimmage
Auckland had a very successful first scrimmage this weekend. 26 teams attended, with each team playing seven ranking matches for the Nationals qualification ladder followed by eight alliances of two playing a friendly elimination bracket. The top three teams on the ladder are now 2918A (Glenfield), 2901C (Rangitoto) and 2918D (Glenfield) each with a record of 5-2-0. In fact, the …
Kiwi Challenge Auckland Regionals
On May 17, AURA helped run the Kiwi Challenge Auckland regionals at Massey University. The turnout was good, with 34 teams representing 15 different schools. Eliminations were played with eight alliances of three. It was a very interesting elimination bracket. Out of the seven elimination matches there were five upsets. The finals were between the fifth ranked alliance (2901C and …
AURA vs AUT newbie challenge
As part of our recruitment for 2014, AURA mustered up 3 teams of newbies (students interested in AURA but who have not paid their subs) to battle with an AUT newbie team. Teams were given three 3-workshop sessions to design, build and program their robots to compete in the Vex game “Tic Tac Topple”. Each team was limited to one …
Kiwi Challenge scrimmage at Kristin School
The third Kiwi Challenge scrimmage was held at Kristin School on May 10. It was attended by 25 teams representing ten different schools and clubs. The eliminations were played by eight alliances of two teams. Once again the alliance of 7757Z (Kiwitech) and 2906A (Long Bay College) won the event, this time as the rank 1 alliance. The finalists were …
Kiwi Challenge scrimmage at Long Bay College
Saturday 3 May was the second scrimmage in the 2014 Auckland Kiwi Challenge season (Tic-Tac-Topple). The scrimmage was held in the auditorium at Long Bay College. 11 teams attended, representing Long Bay, Kiwitech, Onehunga High school, Free Range Robotics and St Cuthberts College. Four alliances of two teams each played in the eliminations. The winners were the rank #2 alliance …
Toss Up Worlds Viewing
With the Toss Up World Championships due to start, AURA migrated up north (slightly) for better viewing of the competition and unveiling. The whole weekend was a mix of good food, odd people and great entertainment – 3:30am tournament watching by morning, stand-up paddle boarding, Cards Against Humanity and Kung-Pow by evening. Here is a picture of a cute penguin. …
AURA featured in Craccum!
AURA was featured in Craccum, the University of Auckland Student Magazine. We talked about our club in general, and a bit more about the future of robotics and robotics ethics. Check it out here: http://craccum.ausa.auckland.ac.nz/?p=3085