Pinehurst Sports Expo

Today was the second to last scrimmage in Auckland before Nationals. The event served as one of the last chances for practice for high school teams who are competing, but also for organisers and volunteers to make sure everything runs smoothly. With Nationals coming up very soon (1st, 2nd, and 3rd of March at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Center), all …

FIRST Lego League (FLL)

Over the last two weekends of November, AURA ventured outside of VEX Robotics and into the FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL). AURA fielded a number of volunteers at both the Auckland Regional Tournaments as well as at the New Zealand Championship, enjoying the time we had with like-minded students who share our passion for engineering, technology and robotics. FLL, like VEX, …

December AURA Scrimmage

AURA hosted their first scrimmage at the University of Auckland on Saturday 10 December. Working with Kiwibots and volunteers from Massey University (MESS), Manakau Institute of Technology (MITE), and University of Auckland (AURA), a great day was had by all as we wrapped up 2011 with both competition and a bit of fun. We had a great venue with lots …

Android Gateway Scoring App

We help out at a lot of events, and there has been a demand for a mobile scoring application that can help teams scout as well as official scorers. So we created this application that runs on Android devices, which can be downloaded for FREE from https://market.android.com/details?id=nz.org.aura#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDIxMiwibnoub3JnLmF1cmEiXQ.. Enjoy!

Chairperson’s Report – 2011 AGM

AURA has had a very strong first 10 months. Starting with our inception in January with about 20 members, we started a club with the aim of creating a team for the Vex Robotics Competition at the University of Auckland. With a number of veterans with high school experience in the competition and a couple of new faces, we worked through several months of …

Chain Lift

The chain lift acts in the same manner as a 4-bar linkage or a 6-bar linkage in that whatever is attached to it will maintain the same orientation throughout the movement of the arm. Typically chain lifts consist of two bars affixed to driven gears and two high strength sprockets that are able to be mounted i.e. 18, 24 or …

Introduction to Python

Python was one of the robots that we built in the lead up to World Cup as a prototype idea, which was later dismantled in order to use the parts for the other robots. [photoxhibit=18] Main Features: Drive Train: 6-motor drive (1×393 2×269 each side), 2:1 gear ratio, 2.75″ omni-wheels and small wheels Lift: Scissor Lift (1×393 each side), 1:7 …

Introduction to Skillbot

Skillbot was one of the robots that we built in the lead up to World Cup as a prototype idea, which was later dismantled in order to use the parts for the other robots. [photoxhibit=17] Main Features: Drive Train: 4-motor x-drive (1×393 on each wheel), 2:1 gear ratio, 2.75″ omni-wheels Lift: Single Pivot Arm (6×269, chain lift), 1:4 gear ratio …

Introduction to Arthritis

Arthritis was one of the robots that we built in the lead up to World Cup as a prototype idea, which was later dismantled in order to use the parts for the other robots. [photoxhibit=16] Main Features: Drive Train: 6-motor drive (1×393 2×269 on each side), 2:1 gear ratio, front wheels not driven Lift: Single Pivot Arm (1×393 each side), …

Introduction to Matlab

Matlab was one of the three robots we built for the Robot World Cup. It follows high school rules for Gateway 2011. [photoxhibit=15] Main Features: Drive Train: 6-motor drive (1×393 2×269 on each side), 2:1 gear ratio Lift: Chain Lift (1×393 each side), 1:7 gear ratio (with elastic) Intake: Top Suckers (1×269 each side) 10 motors were used. Matlab reached …