2018-2019 / V5RC
My First Robot
The 2018-2019 V5RC season was where my love for engineering was born. This was the first time I was challenged and really learned hands-on. The robot shown below isn't perfect, but it laid the foundation for the following years.
Robot Overview
Flywheel + Lift
The robot featured a roller intake to pick up balls and indexer to selectively shoot up to 2 balls at a time thru a 3000 rpm flywheel. Controlling this system required a complex understanding of flywheel dynamics and projectile motion. The robot also had a 2-bar lift to invert caps.
V5RCDrivetrainLift GeometryDriver Feedback
Takeaway
Reliability became the first design requirement
The biggest lesson was that a clever mechanism only matters if it survives repeated matches. I learned to value simple load paths, accessible fasteners, and quick repair decisions as much as scoring performance.
Season Media
Turning Point image archive
