2011 VEX Robotics
World Championship
by R. Steven Rainwater
This year, the VEX Robotics World
Championship moved from Dallas, TX to
Walt Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of
Sports complex near Orlando, FL. The
event was bigger than ever and, in
addition to all the matches between
more than 500 VEX teams from around
the world, VEX played host to several
other events as well. If you were one of
the 10,000+ participants this year, you
also got a chance to watch the BEST
championship, the Coast Guard
Academy’s AROW water robotics
competition, and the official roll-out of
the new robotics merit badge by the Boy
Scouts of America.
Given the location, it shouldn’t be surprising that Mickey, Donald Duck, and assorted other Disney characters made random appearances during the
event. Adding to the craziness this year were stilt walkers,
a graffiti artist, a DJ, confetti canons, and occasional
pyrotechnics.
Artist Kari Byron — best known as one of the
MythBusters and host of Head Rush — was Master of
Ceremonies. She spent lots of time on stage announcing
matches, introducing speakers, and handing out awards.
When she wasn’t on stage, she was talking to robot
builders, signing autographs, and posing for photos with
teams. I think she may have been the most popular host in
the several years I’ve been going to this championship
event.
The winning high school alliance included the Green
Egg Robotics Club from Massachusetts, W.A.S.A.B.I. 2 from
Washington, and Simbotics from Ontario. The winning
middle school alliance included Sichuan Chengdu Longjiang
Road Primary School and Shanghai Luwan Teenagers
Activity Center, both from China. Massey University from
New Zealand took the College Championship title. The
coveted Excellence Award went to the VEXMEN which was
made up of the NightCrawler team from Downington Area
Robotics in Downington, PA; the Cheesy Poofs from
Bellarmine College Prep in San Jose, CA; and Massey
34 SERVO 07.2011
Kari Byron of
MythBuster’s
fame.
University in New Zealand.
The VEX judges stayed busy evaluating the hundreds of
teams, and there were plenty of other awards to go around
for robots, teams, mentors, teachers, volunteers, and
partners.
VEX participants showed their enthusiasm by cheering
for their favorite teams and by competing for the most
outlandish hair style. Blue hair and green hair were equally
popular this year, but mohawks were a less common sight
than in 2010. VEX teams couldn’t match BEST for the most
spirited supporters, however. Despite being a smaller crowd,
BEST supporters consistently matched or exceeded the
noise level of VEX supporters. Next year, they need to bring
a sound level meter and award a prize for the team with
the loudest supporters!
Meanwhile, on the other side of the sports complex,
the United States Coast Guard Academy was busy holding
matches between teams in the AROW water robotics
competition. AROW robots were a combination of a
styrofoam flotation platform and VEX hardware that drove
one or more propellers. The result was a teleoperated boat
that completed a series of tasks simulating common Coast
Guard activities such as rescuing vessels, intercepting drug
smugglers, or responding to oil spills.
The Boy Scouts of America continued their tradition of
equipping boys for a useful role in society by promoting
