HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-01-21, Page 11Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, January 21, 2009 - Page All
GDCI Robotics Club preps for FIRST Robotics Challenge
Denny Spoilt
signal -star staff
-�- The GDCI Robotics club is reaching
the end of its fundraising drive, accord-
ing to Matt Books, one of the members
of the club.
"We've got got most of the parts we
need, and we just need $500 to offset
the costs of the trip and hotels."
The club will be taking their show on
the road to the FIRST Robotics chal-
lenge in Mississauga. The competition
will take place at the end of March.
The robot is nearing completion, with
almost all of the pieces in place and as-
sembled.
"We have all the parts now, and the
control system. We've got a frame go-
ing, and there is going to be a simulated
no -friction environment, so we're trying
to write a traction control program so
the wheels don't slip. We're also getting
some camera -tracking." Books said.
The group is still selling fundraising
cards from Crabby Joe's to help them
reach their goal.
Their robot will be shipped away to
the competition near the end of Febru-
ary, but the group isn't worried..
"We're well ahead of where we were
last year," Books explained. "We should
definitely have it ready to go in good
time."
Already the group is working on a
couple of the challenges the robot will
have to overcome, like picking up a
ball.
Anyone interested in the FIRST Ro-
botics competition in Canada can check
out their Web site at www.firstrobotic-
scanada.org.
Sump ppump e
usage
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soott
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signal -star std
Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh Coun-
cil received a letter from township resi-
dent Kevin Smith regarding dangerous
discharges of Sump Pump fluid onto
lots.
Smith points out that a neighbour of
his is causing dangerous situations by..
running his sump pump and draining it
to the front of his property. The water
eventually reaches the road then runs
in front of Smith's road access, caus-
ing freezing problems and 'slip and fall'
conditions. The drainage is on the op-
posite side of Smith's driveway, mean-
ing the water has no other way to go.
Smith also claims that the water
causes' a gutter in the snow, which re-
sults in cars 'bottoming -out' as they en-
ter his property.
Smith claims that action is needed to
prevent dangerous situations from being
created for pedestrians and vehicles.
ACW decided to defer action until
they can research the cost of solutions.
Council also approved their annual
'Borrowing By -Law,' which provides
them the option to borrow capital to
cover expenses if such a need arises..
Photo by Denny Scott
Jeff Scholtz, Joel Doherty and Matt Book keep their robot's "eye" on the camera. The trio is part of the GDCI Robotics Club.
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