A double suspension sounds like something students should avoid, but in this instance, it's a very positive development. The Grand Blanc High School robotics team made it happen over the weekend.
It's arguably the biggest accomplishment in the world of robotics. "It's like throwing a perfect game in baseball," said EngiNERDs coach Clinton Bolinger.
With help from the Midland High School robotics team, the EngiNERDs pulled off a double suspension in competition last weekend at Oakland University. "It's very rare that it happened. It's only happened three times this year, and we've done it two out of the three times," Bolinger said.
So what is double suspension? It's when a robot on a tower has another robot hanging off it. The move earns plenty of points and a wild reaction from the crowd. "The charge moves into position, 2619, they swing theirs up, it locks into position. The crowd goes nuts and we end up winning the match because of it," Bolinger said proudly. "All the drivers were jumping on each other. It was pretty crazy," admitted EngiNERD Jeremy Kray.
After the double suspension, there's really only one feat left to accomplish. It's hanging three EngiNERDs off this contraption. That's a triple suspension.
Three nerds equals around 300 pounds, or the weight of two hanging robots. "That's never been done, and we'll be shooting for that at Kettering University in September," Bolinger advised.
The bottom line -- it's cool to be a nerd. "It's amazing to be a nerd. It's all awesome," EngiNERD Zach Orr said.
It's arguably the biggest accomplishment in the world of robotics. "It's like throwing a perfect game in baseball," said EngiNERDs coach Clinton Bolinger.
With help from the Midland High School robotics team, the EngiNERDs pulled off a double suspension in competition last weekend at Oakland University. "It's very rare that it happened. It's only happened three times this year, and we've done it two out of the three times," Bolinger said.
So what is double suspension? It's when a robot on a tower has another robot hanging off it. The move earns plenty of points and a wild reaction from the crowd. "The charge moves into position, 2619, they swing theirs up, it locks into position. The crowd goes nuts and we end up winning the match because of it," Bolinger said proudly. "All the drivers were jumping on each other. It was pretty crazy," admitted EngiNERD Jeremy Kray.
After the double suspension, there's really only one feat left to accomplish. It's hanging three EngiNERDs off this contraption. That's a triple suspension.
Three nerds equals around 300 pounds, or the weight of two hanging robots. "That's never been done, and we'll be shooting for that at Kettering University in September," Bolinger advised.
The bottom line -- it's cool to be a nerd. "It's amazing to be a nerd. It's all awesome," EngiNERD Zach Orr said.