
THE GAME
FIRST STRONGHOLD is a game were each alliance commands one tower, five defenses, and a ‘secret passage’ which allows their robots to restock on ammunition, called boulders. One defense in each alliance’s set of five, the low bar, is a permanent part of the field. Three defenses are selected strategically by the alliance prior to the start of their match. The final defense changes periodically by audience selection. Each FIRST STRONGHOLD match begins with a 15-second autonomous period in which robots operate independently of human control. During this period, robots attempt to cross opposing defenses and score in the opposing tower.
Game Strategy
Truck Town Thunder, by the end of its first meeting of build season, came up with a basic game strategy. The team concluded that the most effective way to score points and earn ranking points is to focus on breaching the enemy's defenses. It is ideal that the robot is able to cross every defense by itself. The secondary priority is to score tower goals, preferably the high ones, with time left over after breaching.
THE ROBOT
Autonomous
- Reach the Outer Works
- Cross the Outer Works
- Shoot pre-loaded boulders into the high goal
Teleoperated
- Breach the Outer Works
- Intake boulders
- Shoot high goals

NEWS
Ortonville, Michigan, March 29, 2016 – Truck Town Thunder out of Brandon and Holly High School traveled to MasonHigh School to compete in the FIRST Lansing District Competition this past weekend. Competitively, the team finished in 15th place after the qualification rounds with a record of 7 wins and 5 loses. They were then ousted in the Quarterfinals of…
Read MoreMuch like the Chairman’s Award, Engineering Inspiration automatically qualifies the team to go to the world championships in addition to covering the $5000 entrance fee courtesy of NASA. With this additional money, Truck Town will be able to fund another team’s registration to the World Championships later next week. Truck Town was honored with this…
Read MoreOrtonville, Michigan, April 20, 2016 – Truck Town Thunder has their sights set on St. Louis for the fifth consecutive year as a result of an incredible performance at the Michigan State Championships this past week. Truck Town Thunder pulled through with a record two Championship award wins: The Engineering Inspiration Award in addition to…
Read MoreThe highest honor that can be given to a team mentor is the Woodie Flowers Award which is presented to “An outstanding Mentor in the robotics competition who best leads, inspires, teaches, and empowers their team using excellent communication skills” (FIRST). Truck Town Thunder lead mentor Andrew Spiece was awarded the Regional Woodie Flowers Award,…
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