Robotics + Hardware + Competition
Built a remote-controlled robot with a custom gripper arm that grabs balls from a dispenser and shoots them into a hoop. Designed, assembled, wired, and programmed in a single competition sprint. Ranked 4th out of 50 teams.
01 Overview
A timed robotics competition where each team builds a robot from a standard parts kit to navigate an arena, collect balls from a gumball-style dispenser, and launch them into a scoring hoop. Points are awarded for successful shots, with bonus multipliers for speed and consistency. The arena features tape-marked paths, obstacles, and zones that constrain navigation strategy.
02 Media
03 The Build
Central board (visible in red) running motor control, servo commands, and wireless receiver logic. Handles all real-time I/O for drive motors and arm servos.
Multi-segment arm built from laser-cut blue linkages with servo motors at each joint. End effector is a claw gripper sized to grab competition balls from the dispenser.
Differential drive with two geared DC motors and yellow rubber wheels. Wooden chassis with perforated mounting plate for electronics and arm attachment.
Wireless game controller for manual driving and arm operation. Left stick controls drive (forward, reverse, turn), right stick controls arm lift and claw open/close.
Battery pack powering both drive motors and servo arm. Motor driver board handles high-current switching for the DC motors while servos run off regulated 5V.
Arm lifts ball to shooting height, then a rapid flick of the claw launches it toward the hoop. Timing and angle tuned through repeated practice runs on the arena.
04 The Challenge
Drive the robot across the arena following tape-marked paths, avoiding other robots and obstacles.
Position at the gumball dispenser. Align the gripper arm with the ball exit chute.
Extend arm, open claw, grip the ball. Retract arm while holding the ball securely.
Drive to the scoring zone. Raise arm to launch angle and align with the hoop.
Flick the claw to release and launch the ball. Score points. Repeat.