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FIRST Tech Challenge Tech Update:   Teams participating in the FIRST Tech Challenge can now use Google�s TensorFlow Machine Learning technology to detect and track Gold and Silver game elements. Teams can access Google�s TensorFlow technology through Blocks or Java programming.   TensorFlow can identify Gold and Silver game elements using an Android device�s built in camera or through an externally connected camera. A detailed tutorial is available that demonstrates how to use this TensorFlow technology is available here!  TensorFlow is Google's "machine learning" technology. It is a form of artificial intelligence. The software can "learn" and identify patterns and use this to do things like recognize when a Gold block is placed in front of the camera. For our software, Google "trained" the system (by showing it pictures of our Gold and Silver blocks in different positions and under different lighting conditions and backgrounds) so it would learn what...

Guest Blog Post from Christine Matheney from Microsoft I had the opportunity to participate in FIRST Robotics while in high school; it is these core values that have made me who I am today. I'm sure this is a story you hear from FIRST alum often, but I wanted to share my own story with you as well as why our team at Microsoft is so excited to put on the Imagine This Contest . In high school, I was part of a Girl Scout FIRST Robotics team who met at NASA. It was about 30 miles between my high school and our robotics lab, and I had amazing parents who drove me to and from the lab after school for three years. We had a blast - it was a team of brilliant young women, super supportive mentors, and a lot of creativity. On the team, I learned both technical skills and leadership skills.  By the time I graduated, I was both comfortable using a drill press and creating and executing a plan for the team to attend championships in Atlanta.  My time on the team, learning those technical s...