For the 2025-2026 DECODE season, we followed an iterative engineering design process across five full robot versions, prioritizing reliability, agility, and scoring consistency.
Small, lightweight push bot with a simple working intake.
Catapult launcher with rubber bands, inspired by the AndyMark starter bot.
Compact rubber-band-free catapult.
Refined catapult, but motors overheated and the intake was unreliable.
goBILDA gecko wheel launcher, holds three artifacts, rubber band and gear intake.
Mecanum drivetrain with four goBILDA 5203 motors for omni-directional movement, faster scoring alignment, and reduced turning time. A reinforced cross-member chassis prevents torsional flex, and the battery sits low and centered for stability.
A vertically staged rubber-band and gear-driven intake compresses, transports, and stabilizes artifacts before launch. A passive holding stage between the two gecko launcher wheels prevents over-compression and launcher overload, giving us lower jam rates, reduced motor strain, and more repeatable launches.