Get ready to dive into the exciting world of robotics as we take you behind the scenes of True Robotics' inaugural robotics competition. On March 30, 2024, eleven teams, totaling sixty students, met at Auburn Village School in Auburn, NH, for a unique robotics competition. Student teams were asked to bring only a laptop and their enthusiasm. They spent the day crafting their robot and competing in three challenges: a robot soccer match, a teleoperated racing event, and a sensor-based obstacle course.
Let's go into more detail about the logistics of the competition. True Robotics provided students with an erector set-style robot kit, allowing teams to be creative when tackling the challenges ahead. After a brief introduction to True Robotics and the competition's rules & expectations, teams assembled their robot. Using the tools provided in their robot kit, groups worked together all morning to create a robot that would meet the needs of all the challenges ahead, incorporating items such as a controller ("robot brain") and two different kinds of wheels. Once assembled, teams used their programming cheat sheet to help them figure out how to program their bot for the sensor-based obstacle course. True Robotics staff circulated the gymnasium to assist students, who were mainly new to programming, as they did not require prior experience to participate. The afternoon was filled with challenges like the sensor-based obstacle course, where teams score points for having their robot drive autonomously from checkpoint to checkpoint. The goal is to score the greatest points while driving through the maze.
Throughout the morning, groups collaborated to ensure their robot could guide a 3D-printed soccer ball across the enclosed arena and into the goal area. Many teams created varying sizes of claw-like attachments to help their robots compete in soccer matches. Each soccer game involved each team pairing up with another for a two vs. two robot match, lasting for 5 minutes. The winning teams scored the greatest number of goals within the allotted period. Teams participated in several soccer matches, allowing for students to refine their techniques as the afternoon went on. Students took turns using the game controller to drive their robots through the obstacle course, with twists, turns, obstacles, and ramps. The teleoperated racing event required teams to use their game controller to navigate through the maze in the quickest amount of time.
The challenge-filled afternoon was hectic, with 5-minute rounds flying by. Teams did a great job following directions to make transitions seamless and used any spare time to adjust their robot and/or code. After the final round, judges gathered to tally up scores. To recognize as many students as possible for their hard work, creativity, and enthusiasm, True Robotics had six awards ready to distribute.
The Most Innovative Design goes to the Auburn Village Braves for their creative robot design. The Spirit of Robotics award went to the team with the best team spirit, a team that supported each other throughout the day and encouraged each other to be their best. This award went to the Dragons. The team scoring the most points throughout the soccer matches, Nitrobots, won the Soccer Stars trophy. The Terabytes proved to be the team able to navigate their robot through the maze quickly, designating them the Master of Control. Programming was challenging for many, but not SAS Saints, awarding them the Automation Master award. Lastly, the Tech Titans won for high scores in various challenges and excellent team spirit. These factors dubbed them Excellence of Champions. Teams were presented with a 3D-printed robot trophy for their amazing feats! Congratulations to the winning teams for their exceptional achievements!
Everyone had a blast spending the day building, programming, and competing. Team captain Rosemary McCarthy said about the day: "The build and code time was just right. The circulating volunteers were readily available for help and questions. The organization of the events was good." The teams reported having a great time and were excited about our next competition. True Robotics hopes to host another competition this fall. Follow us on our social media accounts, @TrueRobotics, to stay updated with information about our next competition!
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