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Robot design

Participating in FIRST Tech Challenge is amazing because the competition allows me to design and build a new robot every year. Each robot gets better because of the lessons I've learned and the skills I've developed in the previous year.

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The five robots (Calamari, Roboat, Submaring, Phantom and Catamaran) that I've designed for my FTC team, RoboctoPI (#14496), have allowed me to acquire, develop, and refine my skills in 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC machining, CAD with Fusion360, software and sensor integration, and aesthetic design. Every year, these robots have improved in performance as measured by the World Rankings published for each season on the FTCstats.org website: Calamari (#237), Roboat (#41), Submaring (#41), Phantom (#27) and, my favorite robot, Catamaran (#5)!

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Features:​

  • Small, fast, and lightweight mecanum chassis

  • Bidirectional, counterweighted, and adjustable passive self-leveling delivery arm

  • Over-center linkage driving quadruple four-bar intake

  • 2 four-stage, continuously strung aluminum linear slides

  • Countersprung, zero-G scissor lift wiring guide

  • Integrated camera in the intake to support localization

FIRST Tech Challenge "Power Play" Season: 2022/23

Robot name: Catamaran

Competition Performance and Awards:

  • Ranked 5th highest in the world (out of 7,000+ teams)

  • Won Ochoa Division at the FTC World Championship

  • Finished in 3rd place at the FTC World Championship

  • Won Control Award at the FTC World Championship

  • Won the San Diego Regional Championship

  • Won Think Award at the San Diego Regionals

  • Won San Diego Gauss League Championship

  • Won Inspire Award at the Gauss League Championship​

What I learned as a Junior in High School:​

  • Importance of single intake and delivery system to decrease cycle time

  • Maximizing automation with integrated sensors to simplify driver control

  • Millimeter tolerances in CAD design to maximize functionality inside an extremely small footprint

  • Importance of CG for stable, yet fast, operations

FIRST Tech Challenge "Freight Frenzy" Season: 2021/22

Robot name: Phantom

Competition Performance and Awards:

  • Set World Record on Feb 26, 2022.

  • Ranked 27th in the World 

  • 2nd Place Robot Performance San Diego Regional​

  • 2nd Place Inspire San Diego Regional

  • 2nd Place Robot Performance San Diego Gauss League

  • 2nd Place Inspire San Diego Gauss League 

  • 7th Place Robot Performance Maryland Tech Invitational

Features:​

  • Narrow mecanum chassis with retractable odometry

  • Virtual double reverse four bar self-leveling delivery arm 

  • Multi-function dead, live, and zombie axle intake system

What I learned as a Sophomore in High School:​

  • Axle design

  • Custom molded part manufacturing

  • Wire management

  • Importance of reduction in complexity to performance

  • Designing to optimize for size and weight

  • Pocketing for reduced weight

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FIRST Tech Challenge "Ultimate Goal" Season: 2020/21

Robot name: Submaring

​Robot Performance and Awards:

  • Qualified for World Championship (COVID cancelled)

  • Ranked 41st in the World

  • 2nd Place Robot Performance San Diego Regional

  • 3rd Place Inspire San Diego Regional

  • 1st Place Robot Performance San Diego Turing League

  • 2nd Place Inspire San Diego Turing League

​Features:

  • Serviceable mecanum chassis with integrated odometry

  • Laser cut and 3D printed, PID controlled dual motor launcher with passive locking & active loading system

​What I learned as a Freshman in High School:

  • How to integrate PIDs to control motor speeds under variable loads

  • How to optimize designs with passive, rather than active, mechanical systems

  • Designing for ease of manufacturing and repair

FIRST Tech Challenge "Skystone"
Season: 2019/20

Robot name: Roboat

Robot Performance and Awards:

  • Ranked 41st in the World

  • 2nd Place Robot Performance San Diego Regional

  • Innovate Award Winner San Diego Regional

  • 1st Place Robot Performance San Diego Euclid League

  • 3rd Place Inspire Award Winner San Diego Euclid League

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​What I learned as an 8th grader:

  • Mecanum chassis design

  • Multi-stage lift design

  • Horizontal and vertical linear motion

  • Full robot design and iterations in CAD

  • Agile design process

Features:

  • Short, modular mecanum robot fits under 13” barrier

  • 12” vertical lift delivers SkyStones up to 60” high

  • Active multi-function, servo-driven intake

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First Tech Challenge Rover Ruckus Season: 2018/19

Robot name: Calamari

Robot Performance and Awards:

  • Ranked 237th in the World

  • 6th Place Robot Performance San Diego Regional

  • 1st Place Robot Performance San Diego Ptolemy League

  • 1st Place Inspire Award Winner San Diego Ptolemy League

Features:

  • Custom designed, laser cut tank drive chassis

  • Lead screw system lifts entire 42 pound robot

  • Flip-down, belt driven intake with clear acrylic panels

​What I learned as a 7th grader:

  • 3D CAD using Fusion 360

  • How to use a 3D printer to produce robot parts

  • How to fabricate delrin with a laser cutter

  • How to use virtual four bars to extend reach

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