TEAM 2010: The Lightning Bots

Team 2010, one of the many teams already participating through FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), is currently in the process of completing its second season. Last year, during their rookie season, the Lightning Bots defined themselves as a very successful and hardworking team.

After the formation of the team, none of the students of Team 2010 had any idea what it took to run a FIRST team, let alone run a robot. Team 2010, which is sponsored by Delphi, enlisted the help of experienced engineers to help enlighten students about being a part of a FIRST robotics team. As last year’s season progressed, the team had leveled out to a total of only 15 students, a small number compared to other FIRST veteran teams. Despite their numbers, and their inexperience, Team 2010 worked to earn the respect of other veteran teams.

At the team’s first competition last year, the regional in Pittsburgh, the Lightning Bots proved that numbers and experience were no obstacle. Team 2010 successfully took home the Rookie All-Star Award, the most prestigious award that a rookie team can receive, earning them a spot in the national competition in Atlanta, Georgia. But that wasn’t the only recognition that the team left home with. The Lightning Bots had also earned the respect of other veteran teams at the competition and took home a handful of awards given out by fellow FIRST teams.

At the second competition of their rookie season, Team 2010 showed that they were not satisfied with only one award. At the Buckeye Regional in Cleveland, the Lightning Bots took home the Rookie High Seed Award for being the highest placing rookie team in the competition. The team also received a small safety award for being considered the safest team by the other teams attending the competition.

Now that Team 2010 is in the midst of its second season, they are ready to attempt at a season just as successful as its last. The kickoff, which tells teams all around the world what the challenge for this year is, was held on Jan. 5, 2008. From that the point the team only gets two-and-a-half months to have the robot ready to be shipped to the competition. Team 2010 is ready to try their best for this years season.