SCRIW is a relatively new concept for FIRST Robotics Competition teams in South Carolina, so we know there will be a lot of questions.  We’ve compiled what (we think) are the most common questions below; contact us if you have any other questions.

What should I bring the day of?

• If you haven’t paid, your check for the team registration fee
• Charged robot and power tool batteries
• Your battery chargers–every one you have!
• Safety glasses for your team and guests
• Ideally, some way of following @SCRIW on Twitter
• Hand tools and parts that would be likely to break
• If you have a table, bring it! (If you don’t, let us know!)

When should I get there?

Pit opening and registration closing times are to be announced, but please help us start on time!  Have your robot ready to go, as we will want to put it on the field before opening ceremonies to check communications.  The sooner we catch an issue, the better your chances of getting it fixed.

What’s the traffic pattern?

As we’re holding SCRIW II at a different school from SCRIW I, we’re going to work on this.  Stay tuned.

What is an off-season competition?
Off-season competitions are a chance for teams to have a little bit more fun with their robots, to train new students, and bring in members of their communities to see what they do.  The first off-season competitions were held in the late 1990s with the Rumble at the Rock competitions in Massachusetts; over the years, the concept has grown across the country.

Do we have to build a new robot?
No, you don’t; you compete with your 2013 Ultimate Ascent robot.  We’ll also spot you five pounds on the weight limit (meaning 125 pounds without bumpers and battery) to allow you to make your robot more robust.

Do we have to bag and tag our robot?
No–we know you have demos to do between April and October!

Are we playing the same game?
We will be playing the same 2013 FRC game, Ultimate Ascent, though we may announce a few tweaks to the game if we believe it will improve the experience for all.

How much is registration?
Registration for SCRIW is just $300.00 for FRC teams if you register and pay by July 1.  After that, the fee is still just $350.00.  If you’ve got an older robot that still runs, you can enter that one as well for a pre-rookie team or for a B-team.  Pre-rookie teams compete for free with your entry, while B-teams compete for $200 with your regular entry.  B-team registration opens August 1, as space permits.

Pre-rookies? B-teams? What’s the difference?
A pre-rookie team is a team of students whose school or organization is new to FRC (e.g. they intend to register as rookies for the 2014 season).  A B-team would be comprised of members of your own team (e.g. your freshmen you want to give driving experience to).  We rely on your gracious professionalism to know the difference.

Do the second robots need to meet all the rules?
Yes and no.  We’re pretty flexible with many things, but we’ll be looking for a few important things:

• For the sake of other robots expecting them, bumpers must be present and at least protecting the corners of the robot.  The color and number rules still apply, though we won’t mind if you use cheap stick-on house numbers.
• Keep to the weight limit
• No sharp edges
• Seriously, no sharp edges!
• If you’re using the older Innovation First control system, dig out your old autonomous switch if you intend to run an autonomous routine.  We can’t interface them with the current field management system, so this switch (combined with sticking your hands up at the buzzer) is how we’ll have to control your robot.  Bring your Gracious Professionalism.

When can we register for SCRIW?
Registration is open now! Sign up here.