On Saturday, March 12, Poly students competed at the Los Angeles Regional FIRST Robotics Competition, placing thirty-seventh out of 66 teams. As part of the Momentum Robotics team, a team based at Sato Academy that represents all of Long Beach, team members put the robot they had spent six weeks constructing to the test. The robots played a game called Stronghold, in which they try to place foam balls in the other team’s goal or cross the other team’s defenses like moats and portcullis. The robots shoot balls, climb towers, and do a variety of tasks.
The Momentum Robotics team’s robot is named Charles II, and he is the successor to Charlie, a robot built by the old Poly Robotics team. Charles II can be controlled by a human or control himself autonomously.
Each member of the team put in at least one hundred hours constructing him. They measured, cut, and drilled metal components, put together a wiring and controller system, and even wrote letters to potential sponsors for funding. During the six-week season, they met for fourteen hours a week, sacrificing much of their lives for their robot. But despite the grueling hours, most Robotics team members are glad to have participated.
“This is a valuable experience for anyone, regardless of who they are or what they want to do,” said senior Kieran Reiser. “It’s a team effort that requires many skills and talents, one I’m happy to say I was a part of.”
After spending more than a month building, the team finally showed off their robot at the competition. Charles II won three matches, lost four, and tied one. The team is hopeful that they will do even better at their next competition in Orange County.
Leave a Reply