Next week, a group of students from Lynfield College in Auckland will be traveling to the United States to participate in the world robotics championships. This event, which is the largest robotics contest globally, will see 900 teams from 56 countries gather in Dallas.
The Lynfield College group, led by 16-year-old William Hooper and 15-year-old Sohail Asyaban, have prepared two robots to compete on the world stage. These robots, equipped with wheels, motors, and a brain that controls everything, are ready to be shipped to the US. One of the robots even has a lever that can pivot to collect items.
The students had a year to build these robots. According to Hooper, the robots use a motorized intake, referred to as a pivot lever, to pick up triangular-shaped balls. In the final 30 seconds of the game, the robots must hang off a bar, with different elevations earning different points.
Asyaban explained that they have two types of robots: a competitive robot and a robot that can play. The playing robot requires a brain for commands, a battery, and a radio. The competitive robot, on the other hand, needs a drive train and a system to pick up balls quickly and efficiently.
According to Hooper, a winning robot needs a good driver who can control it effectively. The robot’s subsystems, such as the ball picker, also need to be good. The robot should be fast, but not too fast, as some robots become too heavy to support their speed.
Hooper and Asyaban have learned to build robots through practice and learning. They have also collaborated with people from the US and around the world in building their robots. They are excited for the competition and the opportunity to meet others who share their passion for building robots.
