I come from a land down under
When was TDU founded?
2009.
What is Project Bucephalus?
Team 5985, based in Wollongong. In 2024 they were the SCR Regional Winners, and won the Impact Award.
We share two mentors with PB (Luin and Hayley).
PB also have their own "Lightning Service" where Luin is THE "Magic Robot Fairy" with a hammer.
What is the Gracious Professionalism award?
The team exemplifies the FIRST Core Values such as continuous Gracious Professionalism and working together both on and off the field.
Double points for listing the FIRST core values.
What is DDU?
Australia's first off-season robotics competition to help teams improve their robot skills, and allow teams to compete without travelling internationally.
What is Macquarie University? (And its relation to TDU)
TDU operates within the MQU SoE, allowing the team(s) to utilise space (field, workshop), machinery (mill, CNC), tools (drills, drawers), materials (wood, aluminium).
What awards did the team win in 2024?
Gracious Professionalism! (At both SCR and Champs)
What is Barker Redbacks?
Team 4613, based in Sydney. In 2024 they were the SCR Regional Winners and won the Quality Award, and won the Archimedes Champs Division, and in 2021 they won the Champs Impact Award.
What is the Impact Award?
The most prestigious award at competition, honouring the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate and best embodies the mission of FIRST.
What is Lightning Service?
Service provided by TDU for other teams at competitions. This can range from emergency repairs, lending spare parts and aiding teams.
What is Ford? (And its relation to TDU)
Ford Australia is a branch of the US based company that builds cars - their first product was the Model T cars.
They sponsor 3132.
What is the Hall of Fame and how is TDU linked to it?
Network of teams that won the Impact Award (previously known as the Chairman's Award).
TDU won the Chairman's Award in 2017.
What is Cheesy Poofs?
Team 254, based in San Francisco. One of the most successful teams in FRC. TDU's ex-mentor Joey now mentors them. 254 is also on the Hall of Fame.
What is the Team Sustainability Award?
Celebrates and recognizes a team which has developed sustainable practices to have a positive environmental impact and achieve long-term continuity.
What are Quiet Rooms?
A room at competitions promoting mental wellbeing and provide a stress-free environment during competition. We piloted it in 2018 and have guides on the FIRST website about how to implement these rooms.
What is Google? (And its relation to TDU)
Search engine. More than 70% of worldwide online search requests are handled by Google.
TDU has 2 mentors who work at Google (Mark and Kass).
When was 5331's first robot regional?
2015.
What is Cougar Robotics?
Team 1403, based in New Jersey. As our sister team, 3132 calls them weekly to exchange design, outreach, strategy feedback/info. Their lead mentor is good friends with our founding mentors. They are also a member of T.C.A.
What is the Innovation in Control Award
Celebrates an innovative control system or application of control components to provide unique machine functions which are reliable and practical.
What is M.E First?
Menstrual Equity First. Aimed to to eliminate obstacles and reduce the stigma surrounding menstruation, 3132 partnered with 1868 (Space Cookies) to stock bathrooms at events with free menstrual products.
What is Rockwell Automation? (And its relation to TDU)
Rockwell Automation is a global company focusing on industrial automation and digital transformation.
They sponsor TDU.
Why was TDU founded?
Luan and Michael Heimlich moved to Australia from the US, telling their daughter (Sarah) that there would be a FIRST robotics team in Australia. Upon arrival and finding out Australia did not have FIRST programs, Michael started the team with Macquarie University.
Who is RoboKryptonite?
Team 6191, based in Taipei. They are an all-girls team, competed at SCR multiple times and went to Champs in 2024. In 2017, we were Regional Finalists with them, going to Champs.
What's the difference between Engineering Inspiration Award and Excellence in Engineering Award?
Engineering Inspiration is an outreach award where teams appreciate engineering through STEM education.
Excellence in Engineering is a technical award based on engineering principles.
What is T.C.A?
TCA is a collaboration of teams internationally to serve as a resource hub for all FIRST teams. Since its inception, TCA has provided over 100 resources across 16 distinct topics. FIRST later contacted TCA to be an official partner.
Double points for naming who founded TCA.
Which sponsor(s) did 5331 gain this year?
Rockwell Automation and The Walt Disney Company.