First Robotics Competition 2016

During 2016 I started my first build season with the Drop Bears Robotics Team 4774 of the FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC). FRC stands for: “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology”, and it international youth organization that operates the FIRST Robotics Competition.

Every year we work together to build a new robot to compete in a sports-like competition. We are given 6 weeks during January and February to design and build a robot to compete in a challenge against other teams.

This week 1 vlog, presented by myself, overviews the start of the project.

This season I was apart of the mechanical section. As a new recruit, I was first tasked to work on the drive base. This was first designed with CAD using OnShape. Once the model was completed to the desired specifications, we began manufacturing. Following the drawings made to AS1100, we began making each parts individually. This was relatively simple as the frame was made from aluminium C-channel sections and brackets, which were riveted together.

I was also chosen to help design and manufacture the intake mechanism. The intake needed to easily allow the game ball to be sucked into the robot and stored, ready to be shot into the goal. This was a more technical and advanced system, which was challenging as a first year. The video below outlines how the mechanism works

We were so effective this year, and were selected as the 4th team alliance captain for the finals at the Hawaii Regional competition. Perhaps more significant even than this, at the Sydney Regionals 2016, out of over 40 teams from around Australia and visiting internationally, the judges awarded us the highly coveted Innovation in Control Award.