Written by Sean Gupta
The Miami Valley School Upper School robotics team, the Rambotics, competes in the First Tech Challenge (FTC) competition circuit. As a team, they start building and programming a robot in the fall and compete throughout late Winter into early Spring. The competitions have two phases: the qualification matches and the elimination matches. During the qualification matches, each team plays six randomly decided 2v2 matches. The four teams with the best records after these matches are able to pick two other teams that they want to combine with. Finally, these four new teams then compete for first place. Based on teams’ placements after the elimination matches, they find out whether they are able to move on to the state competition! For more information, you can find the FTC game manual on their official website.
On the MVS Rambotics team, the talented build team loads the robot, named Todd, with interesting features. To move around in any direction without turning, Todd uses mecanum wheels. If we do need to turn to face something, the whole robot doesn’t need to turn because everything above the wheels is attached to a “turret” that can independently turn. This year, the competition’s challenge is to create a machine that is able to lift cones and place them on poles that reach up to 33 inches tall. To do this, Todd utilizes a system of linear slides that can extend even higher than the poles.
At this point in their season, the MVS Rambotics have completed two tournaments and are preparing for a third (that will be completed by the time of publishing). The first tournament took place at Walnut Hills High School. While the team ran into many difficulties during the tournament, it was a great learning experience and they became good friends with another team, Summit Robotics, who they will see again at their upcoming tournament. Unfortunately, they did not qualify for the elimination round and didn’t receive any awards at that tournament.
Their second tournament was at Wapakoneta High School, where they fared much better. During the tournament, they ran into many mechanical issues, but pushed through and did the best with what they had. Despite placing low in the standings, they were awarded the 2nd Place Design Award for a well designed robot, the 1st Place Innovate Award for their innovative designs, and the 2nd Place Inspire Award, the highest award in the competition. While there is no official reason given for the Inspire Award, they attribute it to their “Gracious Professionalism” and grit. No matter the reason, the MVS Rambotics are going to the State competition because of these awards! Their preparation for State will involve competing in a third tournament.
Mackenzie Duff, the outreach and fundraising director for the team, had this to say about Rambotics, “I never thought that I would join robotics as I was never a STEM person, but my work with outreach has put me in so many incredible rooms and allowed me to talk to so many talented people. This is my first official season, but the team never made me feel out of place. I’m so grateful to be here and am so excited for what we are going to do at state.”
The team is determinedly preparing for the state competition which starts on March 9th. Be sure to wish them luck!
