The Charge Robotics team has been working relentlessly in this pre-season laying the foundation for a successful competition season ahead. Each department including strategy, design, fabrication, software, business, branding, and marketing has been working tirelessly, not just toward their individual goals, but also surpassing new milestones with every meeting. Their dedication, collaboration, and drive are shaping a powerful momentum that will carry the team to new heights.
The Fabrication team has been hard at work on Kid Bot, which is used for demos and showcases. Recently we made important improvements including swapping out the motor on the intake and adjusting its position to ensure the belt is tighter, allowing for smoother operation and better performance. The goal is to fully restore Kid Bot and prepare it for upcoming demonstrations. Specific parts we will do to achieve this is working on acquiring a polycard sheet to further enhance the bot’s functionality.
The strategy team has been reviewing last year's data, and focusing on refining it for this season's game reveal. Our efforts are centered around enhancing the system to better support strategic decision-making throughout the competition period. In addition, they are collaborating with Roadwatch to ensure a smooth and successful kickoff event on January 4th. With these key preparations in place, the strategy team is setting the stage for a strong start to the season, ready to provide the insights and data that will drive the team’s performance on and off the field.
The design team kicked off the pre-season with hands-on Onshape practice, bringing both new and returning members up to speed on the basics of CAD and how the team will approach designing the robot digitally. Building on these foundational skills, they moved on to creating fidget toys, which will be used in competitions, as well as designing Valentine's Day grams for an upcoming fundraiser. As they look ahead, the team is gearing up to learn and master the prototyping tools they’ll rely on during the competition season. Through each project, the design team is building expertise, allowing collaboration, and preparing for the challenges and opportunities of the season ahead.
The software department has been focused on seamlessly integrating new members into the team, ensuring they’re equipped with the knowledge and skills to succeed. Through hands-on training, the team has introduced them to the software tools and desktop applications that power the robot’s functionality, helping them gain a strong understanding of the department’s workflow. New members have also begun working with the latest code, familiarizing themselves with how everything comes together within the software system. Looking ahead, the department is preparing to develop and implement auto-boot features, streamlining the robot’s startup process for greater efficiency during competition.
The branding and marketing team has been deep in the creative process, brainstorming ideas for button designs and digital animations. Drawing inspiration from the season’s theme of "Dive," the team has developed a vision centered around an ocean-like design. After much collaboration, they’ve decided to move forward with creating a 3D animation to bring this concept to life. As a team, they’re eager to dive deeper into learning Blender and mastering its features to craft an impactful and visually stunning animation. In addition to their design work, the team is preparing to write key essays, including the Woodie Flowers, Impact, and Environmental awards, all while ensuring their efforts align with the team’s core values and mission.