Robotics

Description

In this event, you'll be tasked with designing, building, and programming a functioning robot that completes a set of performance-based challenges while following the annual theme. You’ll also submit a detailed portfolio that documents your engineering process from brainstorming to testing. If you advance to the semifinals, you’ll participate in an interview with the judges to explain your design choices, coding strategies, and problem-solving approach.

You’ll construct your robot using components such as motors, sensors, microcontrollers (like Arduino or Raspberry Pi), wheels, and a chassis made of structural materials like aluminum, plastic, or 3D-printed parts. Basic knowledge of wiring, logic-based programming, and mechanical engineering is helpful but not required to begin. This event is beginner-friendly, and you’ll gain valuable skills along the way in areas like automation, coding, electronics, and strategic engineering design.

Submissions for this event are in person and take place during the conference, with a separate deadline for team check-in and robot testing. You will also be required to participate in a team interview with the judges to discuss your design process and performance strategy. Your complete portfolio must also be submitted in person at the event.

2 to 6 people can be on a team!

Find the event rubric here: Event Rubrics & Forms.

This event has past portfolios available here: Past Portfolios.

2025 - 2026 Theme

Theme document

What to Know?

How to use basic electronics and robotics components

Understanding how to connect motors, sensors, and microcontrollers (like Arduino or Raspberry Pi) is essential. Beginner-friendly platforms such as Arduino IDE and simple motor controllers can help you get started. More advanced teams might use vision systems, encoders, or custom PCBs, but starting simple is totally fine.

Basic mechanical and assembly skills

Experience working with structural materials like aluminum, plastic, wood, or 3D-printed parts will help when building or modifying your robot’s chassis and mechanisms. Knowing how to secure parts, route wiring, and balance your design will improve performance.

Basic programming or configuration skills

You don’t need to be a pro coder, but knowing how to program your robot using block-based tools or text-based languages (like Python, Java, or C++) can help you control sensors, motors, and automated tasks. Fine-tuning your code and debugging will boost your robot’s effectiveness during challenges

What to Submit?

Portfolio (Printed)

Title page (with team name, event title, year, and conference location)
Table of contents
Design brief or problem statement
Sketches, diagrams, or CAD drawings
Work log (dates, tasks completed, who did what)
Materials and components list
Test data and observations from robot trials
Risk/safety considerations
Reflection or self-evaluation
References (if applicable)

Completed Robot/ Optional Documents

Your completed robot, which you will present and demonstrate during the in-person conference challenge.
Optional: A short demo video
- Having a video showing your robot completing tasks can be helpful in case of technical difficulties during the live demonstration.
Optional: A personal document or notes
- For first-time teams, a summary of key points (what your robot does, challenges faced, key design decisions) can help you prepare for the interview.

Tools & Resources

Key Parts:

Microcontroller or Control System - Like Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or VEX Cortex — it controls sensors, motors, and decision-making.
Motors and Actuators - DC motors, servo motors, stepper motors — provide movement, rotation, or precise positioning.
Motor Drivers / Controllers - Electronics that regulate power and speed to motors.
Chassis / Frame - The physical structure supporting all parts, often metal, plastic, or 3D-printed.
Sensors - Such as ultrasonic, infrared, gyroscope, encoders — used for navigation, obstacle detection, or feedback.
Power Source - Batteries (LiPo, NiMH, etc.) to supply energy to the robot.
Wiring and Connectors - To link motors, sensors, and controllers.
Input Devices - Controllers or remote systems, like RC transmitters or joysticks.

Useful Applications:

LabVIEW
- A graphical programming environment often used with NI (National Instruments) hardware.
- Good for teams working on advanced control systems or using NI kits.
- Allows for complex sensor integration and real-time data visualization.
Onshape
- Cloud-based CAD software similar to Fusion 360, with strong collaboration features.
- Useful for teams who want to design and share mechanical parts online with teammates easily.
ROS (Robot Operating System)
- A flexible open-source framework for writing robot software.
- Used by advanced teams for complex robotics projects requiring modular programming and communication between hardware and software.
Fritzing
- Helps create clear electronic circuit diagrams and breadboard layouts.
- Useful for planning wiring and making your portfolio diagrams.
VEXcode
- Programming environment for VEX Robotics platforms. Supports block-based and text-based coding.
Arduino IDE
- The go-to software for programming Arduino-based microcontrollers, which are common in robotics projects.
- Supports text-based coding in C/C++ and has tons of libraries for sensors and motors.
- Free and open-source.
Robot Virtual Worlds
- A robotics simulator used to practice programming and test robot logic without physical hardware.
- Useful for visualizing how your robot will behave in competition tasks.

Helpful Terminology

DC Motor – A motor that converts electrical energy into rotational motion, commonly used to drive wheels or robotic arms.
Microcontroller – The “brain” of your robot that processes input from sensors and sends commands to motors and other components. Examples include Arduino and Raspberry Pi.
Motor Driver (Motor Controller) – An electronic device that regulates the power supplied to motors, enabling control over speed and direction.
Sensor – A device that detects environmental inputs like distance, light, sound, or touch, and sends data to the microcontroller.
Battery Pack – Provides power to the robot’s electronics and motors. Common types include LiPo or NiMH batteries.
PID Controller – A control algorithm used in programming to help maintain precise control of motors and movement, such as maintaining balance or speed.
Remote Control (RC Transmitter and Receiver) – A system that lets you manually control your robot wirelessly.

Encoders – Sensors attached to motors or wheels that measure rotation, allowing precise tracking of movement and speed.
Chassis – The main frame or body of the robot that holds all parts together.
Degrees of Freedom (DOF) – The number of independent movements a robot can make, like rotating joints or extending arms.
Autonomous Mode – When a robot operates independently by following programmed instructions without human control.
Joystick – A control device used to manually drive or manipulate the robot.
Telemetry – Data sent from the robot to a computer or operator, such as battery status, sensor readings, or position information.
Failsafe – A programmed safety feature that stops or disables the robot if something goes wrong, such as loss of signal or low battery.
Portfolio – A detailed document explaining your robot’s design, construction, programming, testing, troubleshooting, and team reflections.

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