The FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC)
Hewlett Robotics: Team Innovo
The FIRST Tech Challenge is an international robotics competition that designs new objectives for teams every season.
The word "Innovo" is Latin for innovate. If I were to sum up my time in robotics, it would be just that: innovation. As a builder on the Innovo robotics team, I help create, design, and prototype various mechanisms.
Innovo advanced to the Super Regional Championship in 2018 and placed first in the Long Island tournament. Moreover, Innovo achieved the 1st place Innovate, Design, and Inspire awards. We truly are innovoators!
Skystone Challenge Overview:
The gallery below includes several pictures of the development process for the FTC Skystone challenge. The goal was to create the tallest stacks. Two rack and pinion systems were used: one for horizontal displacement and the other for vertical. The mechanism was attached to a door hinge which was pulled back by a spring. A servo held the mechanism on the base of the chassis until it was time for initialization. Once the match began, the servo would release, allowing for the gripping mechanism to be ready.
Skills acquired and observed
- Team Collaboration
- Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
- Applying physics and mathematics principles to build a competition-ready robot
- Using unconventional materials to create a unique yet functional design
- Implementing the Java programming language to automate a robot's movement