Robotics

ɫ��Ƶ VEX U Team Claims Top Honors at the 2025 VEX AI Robotics Competition Championship

rnorris — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 17:01:14 +0000

ɫ��Ƶ VEX U Team Claims Top Honors at the 2025 VEX AI Robotics Competition Championship

Clubs and Organizations

rnorris Wed, 06/18/2025 - 13:01

At ɫ��Ƶ, robotics isn’t just a competition — it’s a proving ground for innovation. ɫ��Ƶ’s VEX U team, KUdos, showcased their abilities at the 2025 VEX AI Robotics Competition Championship in Houston, where they brought home the prestigious Excellence Award and the Energy Award.

VEX AI is a step beyond the standard VEX U world competition, challenging teams to design robots that compete entirely autonomously. This year, KUdos rose to the challenge, and then some, achieving an undefeated record in all qualification matches and earning the No. 1 ranking among collegiate teams.

The VEX AI awards come on the heels of a top showing at the VEX Worlds competition in May, where the team brought home the Innovate Award. The award recognizes teams whose engineering approach challenges convention and advances the game.

“We Built the Complete Package”

“Winning the Excellence Award is the culmination of everything we’ve worked toward,” said Nathan Nguyen ’26, mechanical engineering major and team captain. “It’s not just about building a robot; it’s about engineering, strategy, documentation, and collaboration, the complete package that defines a championship team.”

The Excellence Award stands as one of the highest honors in VEX AI competitions, recognizing overall excellence across both judged categories and on-field performance. Criteria include a fully developed engineering notebook, demonstration of independent inquiry, strong interviews, student-centered ethos, and consistently ranking in the top 40% in Qualification Matches, Robot Skills, and Autonomous Coding Skills Challenges. KUdos’ dedication to thorough documentation, innovative engineering, and teamwork earned them this coveted distinction.

A Team That Powers the Event

Beyond technical achievements, KUdos brought unmatched enthusiasm and energy to the competition, earning the Energy Award. This award recognizes teams that maintain a high level of excitement throughout the event, enriching the experience for everyone involved.

“Everywhere we went, people wanted to talk about our robots,” said Connor O’Keefe ’25, computer science major and strategy lead for the team. “It wasn’t just about us. It was about inspiring others and sharing the passion we have for robotics.”

Nguyen added, “Our team has always been about bringing energy and positivity, whether we’re answering questions from younger competitors or cheering on other teams. Winning the Energy Award was a reminder that robotics is as much about community as it is about competition.”

Redefining the Game

This season, KUdos made history with a groundbreaking design: “Rafiki” and “Simba”, two robots operating as one throughout an entire match. “That idea came up early in the season,” Nguyen said. “No one’s done it in any VEX high school, university, or AI competition before, and it changed the way we approached the game.”

Their “strategy dictates design” philosophy shaped every decision. “We don’t innovate just to stand out,” O’Keefe explained. “Every idea is a deliberate choice to support our game plan and make sure we lead the competition.”

Engineering Excellence and Emotional Milestones

KUdos’ season included Innovate Awards at every competition they entered, culminating in another at Worlds. “One of our mentors called 'Rafiki' and 'Simba’ the definition of world-level Innovate robots months in advance,” Nguyen said. “Seeing that prediction come true was unforgettable.”

This championship also marked O’Keefe’s final season with KUdos. “When we received the Innovate Award at VEX U Worlds, I saw Connor cry tears of joy,” Nguyen recalled. “We’ve built this team together over three years, late nights, big ideas, even arguments turned into breakthroughs. I’m going to miss him dearly.”

Powered by ɫ��Ƶ’s Co-Op Advantage

KUdos’ success is a testament to ɫ��Ƶ’s hands-on, experiential learning. “My Co-Op in program management taught me how to lead cross-disciplinary teams,” O’Keefe, who has Co-opped with MAHLE in Troy, MI, said. “That experience was invaluable in building a winning robotics team.”

Nguyen agreed. “ɫ��Ƶ’s Co-Op program lets me work back home in California while continuing to innovate and compete on campus,” he said. “It’s hands-on, paid experience that gives us an edge.” Nguyen ‘26, a Cypress, CA native, made the decision to complete his Co-op assignment closer to home at RadiaBeam in Santa Monica, CA.

Other members of the team leverage a variety of Co-op experiences. Katee Callicutt ‘27, a mechanical engineering major, found Co-op work in her hometown of Greenville, SC, at Magna Seating on its BMW account. A.J. Martinek ‘28, a computer science major from Berrien Springs, also found Co-op work with Magna, but in the New Mobility division in Troy, MI. Andrew Bolthouse ‘27, an engineering major from Hudsonville, MI, has completed Co-op rotations at Bissell Homecare. Adreiana Lippolis ‘28, a computer science major from Linden, MI, has spent time working at Ford Motor Company. Chris Schutter ‘28, a mechanical engineering student from Jenison, MI, works for Bradford White Corporation in Middleville, MI, while Cameron Smith ‘28, a mechanical engineering student from Grass Lake, MI, works at Eaton Corp. in Jackson, MI.

What’s Next?

As KUdos looks ahead, their mission is clear: raise the bar again. “Every year, our mantra is: how do we go further?” Nguyen said. “At ɫ��Ƶ, we’re not just building robots. We’re building a mindset that drives innovation and redefines what’s possible. With the momentum of our first-year success in VEX AI, we’re more driven than ever to push the boundaries of innovation and explore what’s truly possible through this competition.”

Built to Break the Mold: KUdos Wins Innovate Award at VEX Worlds

rnorris — Thu, 29 May 2025 14:30:50 +0000

Built to Break the Mold: KUdos Wins Innovate Award at VEX Worlds

Competition Teams

Combat Robotics

Robotics

Robotics Community Center

VEX

Undergraduate

rnorris Thu, 05/29/2025 - 10:30

Combining ingenuity, bold strategy, and cross-league collaboration, ɫ��Ƶ’s robotics team stands out on the global stage.

At ɫ��Ƶ, students don’t wait to build the future — they engineer it now. That mindset powered KUdos, ɫ��Ƶ’s VEX U robotics team, to win the Innovate Award at the 2025 VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas.

The award recognizes teams whose engineering approach challenges convention and advances the game. KUdos delivered on both.

“We came up with a strategy that had never been done before in VEX history,” said Andrew Bolthouse ’27, an engineering major with a specialization in mechatronics systems from Hudsonville, Michigan. “Our robots, Rafiki and Simba, connect at the start of the match and stay joined the entire time. That decision shaped everything.”

Instead of focusing on scoring rings, the team prioritized maximum elevation. The KUdos climbing system allowed Rafiki and Simba to scale anywhere on the field, even on top of other game elements, as long as they touched the ladder. That move gave KUdos a competitive edge that other teams couldn’t match.

“We really just focused on ways to win without caring what our opponents did and without scoring a ton of rings,” said Connor O’Keefe ‘25, the Strategy Lead for the team.

“We knew the points for a top-tier climb were so high that if we could pull it off consistently, we’d force other teams to adjust to us,” Bolthouse said. “And they did.”

What made the KUdos win even more impressive was the diversity of experience behind the build. The team includes alumni from VEX, FIRST Robotics, and Square One, combining distinct competition mindsets into a single, high-performing unit.

“It’s rare to see a team bring together students from three different robotics leagues and have them mesh so well,” said Kim Shumaker, Director of the Robotics Center & Robotics Outreach at ɫ��Ƶ. “That kind of collaboration is what sets KUdos apart. They’re not just building for competition — they’re building on each other’s strengths.”

Many KUdos team members come from out of state, drawn to ɫ��Ƶ by its robotics culture and its 50/50 rigorous academic and paid professional Co-op program. Connor O'Keefe ‘25, a computer science major, hails from Vancouver, WA. He spends his Co-op terms in Troy, MI, working at MAHLE. Nathan Nguyen ‘26, a mechanical engineering major from Cypress, CA, made the decision to complete his Co-op assignment closer to home at RadiaBeam in Santa Monica, CA. Katee Callicutt ‘27, a mechanical engineering major, found Co-op work in her hometown of Greenville, SC, at Magna Seating on its BMW account. Bolthouse credits his Co-op with helping him understand the value of documentation and version control.

“What I’ve learned on the job, I’ve brought back to the team,” Bolthouse said. “Every time we made a change to the robot, I took photos, tracked updates, and kept our process transparent. That discipline made us stronger.”

Throughout the season, the team met virtually while split between school and work terms and collaborated on CAD and documentation using tools like Onshape and Google Docs. The team’s engineering notebook — another competition component — was the product of real teamwork.

“We like to say: two sections, one team,” said Callicutt. “We can pass off what we’re doing with the robot and know confidently that our teammates on the other section are going to do what they need to do.”

“My proudest moment was when Bob Mimlitch, the co-founder of VEX Robotics, stopped by our booth,” Bolthouse added. “He took photos of our robot, asked questions, and told us how impressed he was with our approach. That made it all worth it.”

As KUdos looks ahead to future seasons, the vision is clear: keep pushing, keep climbing — and maybe one day, take the world title.

“We’re proud of what we built,” Bolthouse said. “But we’re not done.”

ɫ��Ƶ Hosts 2025 VEX Robotics State Championship

rnorris — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 19:47:04 +0000

ɫ��Ƶ Hosts 2025 VEX Robotics State Championship

rnorris Tue, 03/04/2025 - 14:47

The VEX Robotics State Championship returned to ɫ��Ƶ on February 21 and 22, bringing together 80 teams and 800 of Michigan’s top robotics students for a fast-paced, high-stakes competition that challenged their technical skills, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities.

“ɫ��Ƶ is proud to host the VEX Robotics State Championship because we know the students competing today are the engineers, coders, and industry leaders of tomorrow,” said Kim Shumaker, Director of Robotics Outreach & Robotics Center at ɫ��Ƶ. “VEX students already think like ɫ��Ƶ students — they thrive on solving complex problems, working hands-on, and pushing their skills to the next level. That’s exactly what we do at ɫ��Ƶ.”

This premier robotics event was the culmination of a season of regional qualifiers, where top teams from across Michigan earned their place to compete for a chance to advance to the VEX World Championship.

The VEX Robotics Competition challenged teams of high school students to design, build, and program robots to complete a specific game challenge. This year’s game, High Stakes, required teams to strategically maneuver their robots to score points by completing a series of technical and tactical objectives.

Teams competed in qualification matches Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, after which they were ranked based on their performance. The top-ranked teams then formed alliances and advanced to the elimination tournament, where they battled head-to-head in a bracket-style playoff leading to the championship match.

In addition to the main tournament, teams competed in the Skills Challenge, in which they attempted to score as many points as possible in driver-controlled and autonomous robot programming modes. Success in this event provided additional pathways to move on in competition. The following teams earned the ability to compete at the VEX World Championship this May in Texas:

Team #39H “HNS” from Cranbrook Schools in Bloomfield Hills
Team #244D “RoboDawgs: Detritus” from Grandville Community Education in Grandville
Team #7760X “Airplane Mode” from Bloomfield Hills
Team #39V “Volt” from Cranbrook Schools in Bloomfield Hills
Team #248A “RoboDawgs: Starfall” from Grandville Robotics in Grandville
Team #8626K “KACHIGGA” from Grand Rapids
Team #36620A “Blue Crew” from Unity Christian High School in Hudsonville
Team #39K “Rest in Pieces” from Cranbrook Schools in Bloomfield Hills
Team #11591S “Siege” from Plainwell High School in Plainwell
Team #3333W “Power of the Square” from Notre Dame Prep in Pontiac

Consumers Energy was the event’s title sponsor this year, reinforcing its commitment to investing in Michigan’s future STEM leaders.

“Consumers Energy knows our customers count on us every day for reliable energy, and we’re counting on the next generation of Michigan students to join us in our commitment to Michigan,” said Greg Salisbury, Consumers Energy’s vice president of electric grid design. “We’re excited to partner with ɫ��Ƶ for the VEX championship and to cheer on student teams who are showing off their work in the High Stakes competition.”

The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) sponsored the Robot Safety Award. “A3 was honored to support the 2025 VEX Robotics State Championship at ɫ��Ƶ University. Youth robotics competitions play a crucial role in preparing students to become an integral part of the future workforce in Robotics, AI, Smart Manufacturing, and Automation. Through their schools, communities, and clubs, students collaborated as teams to design, build, test, and operate robots — developing essential skills that align with the needs of more than 1,300 A3 member companies worldwide,” Said Ritch Ramey, A3 Director of Education. “Beyond building robots, these students gained the ability to create intelligent systems that can see, feel, sense, and make autonomous decisions. These critical skills set them on a path to high-paying and rewarding careers in advanced technology fields. This competition was more than just an event; it was a launch pad for future innovators and industry leaders. I commend all participants for their dedication and hard work.”

Now, in the second year of a three-year hosting partnership, ɫ��Ƶ has continued to expand the impact of the championship. More than just a competition, the event introduced students to ɫ��Ƶ’s hands-on learning environment and industry-driven Co-op program, providing a direct connection between their passion for robotics and future career opportunities.

ɫ��Ƶ/GMI Alumni Association Awards $30,000 in Sponsorships to High School Robotics Teams Across FIRST, VEX, and FTC

rnorris — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 16:39:27 +0000

ɫ��Ƶ/GMI Alumni Association Awards $30,000 in Sponsorships to High School Robotics Teams Across FIRST, VEX, and FTC

Alumni

ɫ��Ƶ Combat Robotics Team

rnorris Fri, 01/24/2025 - 11:39

The ɫ��Ƶ/GMI Alumni Association (KGMIAA) announced today it has awarded $30,000 in sponsorships to more than 60 Michigan high school robotics teams participating in FIRST, VEX, and FTC programs. The initiative reflects a core value that drives ɫ��Ƶ: equipping young problem solvers with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities they need to shape the future.

The sponsorships provide resources for students to build robots, compete, and deepen their STEM experience. These students are following a hands-on path that mirrors the journeys of many ɫ��Ƶ and GMI alumni who began their careers with an early passion for STEM.

“We are incredibly proud to support these bright, motivated students who are exploring their interests in engineering and technology through hands-on experience,” said Joe Lemieux ’85, outgoing president of the KGMIAA. “Many of us — alumni of ɫ��Ƶ and GMI — can trace our own careers back to the formative experiences we had in high school and early college. These sponsorships not only provide the students with the resources to excel in their robotics competitions but also encourage their growth in STEM fields as they prepare for their future careers. These efforts also allow us to raise awareness of ɫ��Ƶ as a leading institution for STEM education and open the door for many students to consider us as the next step in their academic journey.”

KGMIAA’s sponsorships go beyond financial support. The Association also recognizes alumni who dedicate their time and expertise to mentor high school robotics teams, serving as coaches and advisors. This hands-on mentorship ensures students have guidance as they navigate competitions and plan their futures in STEM fields.

“We owe a great deal of thanks to our alumni who volunteer as coaches and mentor the next generation of robotics enthusiasts,” said Lorenzo Jones ’89, incoming president of the KGMIAA. “Their dedication to supporting their high school alma maters or their children’s teams is invaluable, and it’s inspiring to see how they continue to give back to their community. At the same time, these sponsorships introduce students to ɫ��Ƶ’s outstanding programs, creating opportunities for them to envision their future here with us.”

For ɫ��Ƶ and its alumni, this initiative underscores a commitment to investing in young innovators, providing them with experiences that build confidence, technical expertise, and a passion for tackling real-world challenges.

For a complete list of robotics teams that received a 2025 KGMIAA sponsorship, visit /robotics/kgmiaa-sponsorships.

About the ɫ��Ƶ/GMI Alumni Association
The ɫ��Ƶ/GMI Alumni Association (KGMIAA) unites alumni in support of ɫ��Ƶ’s mission to advance STEM education and innovation. With a focus on fostering lifelong loyalty, promoting core values, and providing financial support, the KGMIAA serves as a key resource for University leadership and alumni engagement. Membership is automatic for all graduates of ɫ��Ƶ/GMI, with no membership fees required. The KGMIAA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Learn more at kettering.edu/alumni.

ɫ��Ƶ Celebrates 25th Annual ɫ��Ƶ Kickoff FIRST Robotics Competition

rnorris — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 18:26:58 +0000

ɫ��Ƶ Celebrates 25th Annual ɫ��Ƶ Kickoff FIRST Robotics Competition

Recreation Center

Robotics

FIRST

rnorris Wed, 10/09/2024 - 14:26

ɫ��Ƶ recently celebrated a remarkable milestone by hosting the 25th Annual ɫ��Ƶ Kickoff FIRST Robotics Competition, a significant event that brings together innovative high school students from across Michigan and neighboring states to compete. Sponsored by the Gene Haas Foundation, this year's kickoff attracted nearly 40 robotics teams eager to showcase their skills and creativity.

Since its inception in 1999, the ɫ��Ƶ Kickoff has evolved from a modest one-day gathering designed to help Michigan high school teams recruit members into a prominent competition in the FIRST Robotics community. Although the event went on a hiatus in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has since flourished, reaffirming its vital role in fostering interest in robotics and engineering among high school students.

Kim Shumaker, director of the Robotics Center at ɫ��Ƶ, emphasized the event's broader significance: “The ɫ��Ƶ Kickoff is more than just a robotics competition; it’s an opportunity for students to engage with the university, explore potential career paths, and build lasting relationships with peers and mentors.”

This year’s ɫ��Ƶ Kickoff featured an exciting two-day format that required teams to participate in qualification rounds and elimination matches. Over the course of the weekend, 37 teams competed in a total of 77 matches. The thrill of competition culminated each day with the crowning of a champion and the prestigious Top Dog Award. Saturday saw the alliance of 27 Team RUSH of Clarkston, 1506 Metal Muscle of Flint, and 1684 The Chimeras of Lapeer take home top honors. On Sunday, the alliance of 67 The HOT Team of Highland, 2834 Bionic Black Hawks of Bloomfield Hills, and 5460 Strike Zone of Lapeer bested the competition.

A notable highlight each day was the Bob Nichols Cornerstone Award presentation, honoring the former director of the Robotics Center and a pivotal figure in ɫ��Ƶ’s robotics history. Nichols was instrumental in establishing robotics scholarships and organizing the ɫ��Ƶ Kickoff since its inception. The two teams that won the award named after Nichols were the 1506 Metal Muscle of Flint and the 68 Truck Town Thunder of Ortonville.

The success of the ɫ��Ƶ Kickoff is largely attributed to the collaborative spirit within the robotics community. Volunteers, including local robotics teams and community members, played essential roles as referees and technical advisors. Each event served as a platform for connecting with students, providing them with opportunities to learn about ɫ��Ƶ and its personalized educational approach.

“Students involved in robotics have an advantage over anything else; it’s so similar to what ɫ��Ƶ provides with the Co-op program,” said Clinton Bolinger, associate director of the ɫ��Ƶ Robotics Center, highlighting the practical experience students gain through hands-on work.

Bolinger also emphasized that the First Robotics program is a crucial entry point for students, allowing them to explore various aspects of engineering and technology. “We want them to come to ɫ��Ƶ because we believe they’ll be successful,” he said, underscoring how FIRST Robotics participants are already learning skills they will need as the next generation of STEM leaders.

ɫ��Ƶ FIRST Robotics Program to Benefit From General Motors Community Impact Grant

rnorris — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 18:15:29 +0000

ɫ��Ƶ FIRST Robotics Program to Benefit From General Motors Community Impact Grant

Grants

Robotics

FIRST

rnorris Fri, 09/20/2024 - 14:15

General Motors (GM) has named ɫ��Ƶ as one of eight Genesee County nonprofits to share $270,000 in Community Impact Grants. GM’s Community Impact Grants help address local issues in the communities where the company operates. The grants support GM’s corporate giving social impact pillars of STEM Education and Transportation.

“I am inspired by the impact of the work these eight local nonprofits are doing in our community,” said Jim Gaeschke, plant director at GM’s Flint Metal Center. “STEM education and transportation are important focus areas for GM’s corporate giving program. These organizations help make the Flint-Genesee Region a great place to live and work.”

ɫ��Ƶ will use its $20,000 grant to launch three impactful initiatives for the 2024-2025 academic year aimed at empowering students and educators in the field of robotics:

FIRST Robotics coaches workshop and FIRST Robotics rookie workshop: These hands-on two-day workshops in ɫ��Ƶ’s FIRST Robotics Community Center will guide participants through building a working drivetrain and catapult over two days. During the workshops, educators and coaches will learn to overcome the common challenge of starting new robotics teams by boosting their confidence in building and teaching robotics projects.
Scholarship and Financial Aid Workshop: ɫ��Ƶ will host this workshop to provide underserved high school students and their families with vital information on funding STEM degrees. This initiative aims to bridge the financial gap by connecting families with resources they may not know are available.
Installation of a laser cutter and engraver: The new equipment will support the eight FIRST robotics teams from local high schools that build their robots in ɫ��Ƶ’s FIRST Robotic Community Center and ɫ��Ƶ’s VEXU robotics team in prototyping and testing designs faster and more efficiently. The laser cutter will also be available to students attending ɫ��Ƶ’s robotics summer camps.

“It is an honor to receive the GM Community Impact Grant. The generosity of GM enables ɫ��Ƶ to expose students and teachers in underserved schools to the excitement of STEM activities like FIRST, VEX, and Aerial Drone Competitions,” said Kim Schumaker, Director of ɫ��Ƶ’s Robotics Center. “Hands-on workshops will build confidence and equip participants with skills that assist them in starting robotics teams and building competitive robots. Creating teams in the schools allows more students to participate each year and inspires more students to pursue STEM degrees and careers.”

GM’s support of the Flint-Genesee region has totaled more than $7 million since 2019, with ɫ��Ƶ benefiting from this ongoing commitment to local innovation and growth.

ɫ��Ƶ and Gene Haas Foundation Partner to Host FIRST Robotics District Competitions

rnorris — Thu, 02 May 2024 14:35:43 +0000

ɫ��Ƶ and Gene Haas Foundation Partner to Host FIRST Robotics District Competitions

Campus Events

Robotics

FIRST

rnorris Thu, 05/02/2024 - 10:35

Hundreds of future engineers, computer scientists, tech and business leaders gathered on ɫ��Ƶ’s campus for two FIRST Robotics district competitions held in March.

This year, the Gene Haas Foundation generously sponsored the competitions, contributing $20,000 and affirming its commitment to advancing manufacturing education. The foundation supports these events to expand the pool of skilled workers by recruiting young people into manufacturing careers and creating advanced training programs.

During the events, representatives from Haas Automation, including James O’Brien and Dan Wilson from Gerotech, a Michigan-based Haas distributor, engaged with participants and spectators. They spoke at the opening ceremonies and manned an informational booth, sharing insights into the importance of manufacturing skills in today’s workforce.

“The world is teeming with exceptional companies who are in need of your technical and relational skills that are being developed at FIRST. We support FIRST because we believe in you,” said Mark Terryberry, Manufacturing Manager at Haas Automation. “The skills [students] are learning in FIRST Robotics teams are relevant, practical and in demand. All these skills translate directly into the real world.”

The FIRST robotics program is unique in that many teams fabricate parts using mills, lathes, TIG welding and other machine shop equipment in addition to learning to use CAD, CNC machines and 3D printers. ɫ��Ƶ and our co-op employment partners seek students with these skills and place high value on the experience they gain while participating in FIRST robotics.

This year’s game is called “CRESCENDO.”

In CRESCENDO, teams compete to score notes and amplify their speakers, aiming to harmonize their robots onstage and take the spotlight within a time limit. In the first 15 seconds of the match, robots operate autonomously. Drivers control the robots during the remaining two minutes and 15 seconds. Teams earn bonus points when they meet scoring thresholds and cooperate with opponents.

ɫ��Ƶ is a longtime supporter of FIRST Robotics. The University became the first site in the country to host back-to-back district tournaments in 2016 and has continued that tradition since. ɫ��Ƶ was also one of the first universities in the country to award FIRST Robotics scholarships, providing more than $4 million in scholarships to FIRST participants since 1999.

This is the 24th year ɫ��Ƶ has hosted a FIRST competition on its campus, and the Robotics Community Center is in its tenth year on campus.

ɫ��Ƶ Takes Home ‘Build Award’ from the 2024 VEX Robotics World Championship

rnorris — Thu, 02 May 2024 14:20:30 +0000

ɫ��Ƶ Takes Home ‘Build Award’ from the 2024 VEX Robotics World Championship

Robotics

VEX

rnorris Thu, 05/02/2024 - 10:20

KUdos, the ɫ��Ƶ VEX U team, claimed a Build Award at this season’s VEX Robotics World Championship, held in Dallas from April 25 to May 3, 2024. This prestigious accolade is awarded to teams that demonstrate exemplary robot construction with an emphasis on durability and meticulous attention to detail—qualities essential for withstanding the rigorous conditions of competition.

The key criteria of the Build Award are:

Designing a robot with attention to safety and detail.
Constructing a robot that is durable and robust under competition conditions.
Demonstrating effective communication skills, teamwork, professionalism, and a student-centered ethos during the student interview process.

Connor O'Keefe (Computer Science, ‘25), the KUdos software lead, strategy lead, and one of the team’s drivers, explains how experimentation and improvement factored into winning this award.

“We made six robots throughout the season, and each time we made a new iteration, we learned from our competitors and previous builds to find ways to improve,” Connor said. “For example, I tested several types of bearings and shafts for our drivetrain until we found ones that met our quality standards for our final robots.”

Nathan Nguyen (Mechanical Engineering, ‘26), the lead designer, fabricator, driver, and build lead for the B-Section team, had prepared for this year’s VEX Robotics World Championship long before KUdos touched down in Dallas.

“Every part of our robot is tested for durability before heading to a competition. We ensure everything works before we even build the final robot,” Nguyen said. “We manufactured enough 3D printed & aluminum parts for VEX Worlds to build an entirely new robot in case anything broke, but honestly, we did not have to replace a single custom-manufactured part during the competition.”

KUdos continued to impress with their teamwork, building on their reputation for professionalism that earned them the Sportsmanship Award in 2023. At the VEX High School Robotics Competition, the team showcased their robots, “Chip” and “Dale,” at the ɫ��Ƶ booth, captivating many prospective high school students.

Looking ahead, KUdos is actively recruiting new members from across ɫ��Ƶ, offering a valuable opportunity to engage in a team that values ingenuity and toughness in engineering. Their recognition for build quality at the World Championship marks a significant achievement for the team and inspires ɫ��Ƶ students who are passionate about robotics and engineering.

Katee Callicutt (Mechanical Engineering, 2027), KUdos' team captain, drive coach, and social media manager, explains how the Build Award is just the beginning of the team's success. "This victory is just a stepping stone for our future. We have significantly improved from last year and we plan on improving more and more each year," Callicutt said. "This year, we saw how much better our robot design and functionality was when we CAD the robot beforehand, so we will continue to do that in the future."

Those interested in joining KUdos can visit the team’s Instagram @KUdos.VEXU, or reach out via email at vexu@kettering.edu.

College of Engineering

Robots Take Over Rec Center for Consumers Energy and ɫ��Ƶ Michigan VEX Robotics Competition

rnorris — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 16:21:47 +0000

Robots Take Over Rec Center for Consumers Energy and ɫ��Ƶ Michigan VEX Robotics Competition

rnorris Wed, 02/21/2024 - 11:21

ɫ��Ƶ will host hundreds of high school students and their families the last weekend in February 2024 for the Consumers Energy and ɫ��Ƶ Michigan VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) High School State Championship.

Teams start setting up Friday, Feb. 23, in the Connie and Jim John Recreation Center at ɫ��Ƶ. The competition begins with opening ceremonies at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, and concludes with an awards ceremony at 6:30 p.m.

“ɫ��Ƶ is proud to host and sponsor this event,” said Kim Shumaker, Robotics Center and Robotics Outreach Director. “These students are outpacing their peers as a result of their involvement with the VEX robotics program. They have already developed problem-solving, critical-thinking, strategy and engineering skills as a pre-college student. We’re thrilled for ɫ��Ƶ to play a part in championing these students to pursue their passion for robotics.”

This is the third year ɫ��Ƶ has hosted the VEX State Championship and its second in collaboration with Consumers Energy as the title sponsor.

“Consumers Energy is thrilled to join ɫ��Ƶ to promote and support robotics teams from across Michigan this weekend,” said Greg Salisbury, Consumers Energy’s Vice President of Electric Distribution Engineering. “The VEX championship is important because it extends a pathway to STEM learning that’s exciting and compelling, charging up bright futures for so many students who will go on to power our company and all of Michigan.”

Nearly 400 students from 80 teams will participate in this year’s competition, called Over Under.

In Over Under, the field has 60 triballs, two goals and two sets of elevation bars with a barrier. Triballs score points in goals (5 points) or offensive zones (2 points). Robots move freely, and triballs can only be taken from opponent goals when both alliance robots are on the same side of the barrier ("double zoned.")

Robots aim to climb for points, with the highest climber earning 20 points and points stairstepping down to 15, 10 and 5 points for second, third and fourth place, respectively. Alliances scoring the most in the autonomous period gain an extra 8 points and can earn an Autonomous Win Point through specific actions. The alliance with the most points wins.

The top 20 to 30 teams will advance to the VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas.

ɫ��Ƶ organizes VEX competitions in partnership with the non-profit Robotics Education and Competition (REC) Foundation, an educational foundation with a mission to increase student interest and involvement in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

“This season's game challenge rewards the teams that best collaborate with their partners during a match,” said Dan Mantz, a 1991 ɫ��Ƶ alumnus and Chief Executive Officer of the REC Foundation. “The REC Foundation works to prepare our students for the workforce by not only teaching technical skills such as engineering, design and coding but also emphasizing communication, critical thinking and teamwork skills.”

ɫ��Ƶ has hosted VEX camps and workshops since 2015 and boasts its own VEX U team that debuted in the World Championship in 2023. Scholarships are available for students who are active competitors or mentors of VEX or other competitive robotics organizations. Students can earn up to $5,000 yearly (up to $25,000 over five years) in renewable scholarships.

“The REC Foundation values our partnership with ɫ��Ƶ since our missions are perfectly aligned to prepare our students to be leaders in technology and business development,” Mantz said. “When students in our programs visit ɫ��Ƶ, they experience the innovative and leading-edge campus learning centers and labs firsthand and understand that the ɫ��Ƶ programs will build on what they have learned through the VEX Robotics competition. We want these students to know that ɫ��Ƶ will help prepare them for the next phase of their education and career.”

ɫ��Ƶ Awarded $25,000 in Grants for Robotics Center and Pre-College Robotics Programs

rnorris — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 15:08:13 +0000

ɫ��Ƶ Awarded $25,000 in Grants for Robotics Center and Pre-College Robotics Programs

Campus

ɫ��Ƶ Combat Robotics Team

Grants

Robotics

FIRST

Robotics Community Center

Robotics

rnorris Tue, 02/20/2024 - 10:08

ɫ��Ƶ’s Robotics program has received $25,000 in grants from three organizations to support pre-college robotics camps and to purchase machining equipment for its Robotics Community Center.

Those philanthropic organizations and contributions include:

The Arthur G. Bishop Charitable Trust - $10,000
The James A. Welch Foundation - $10,000
The Nartel Family Foundation - $5,000

“The grants from the Arthur G. Bishop Charitable Trust, James A. Welch Foundation, and Nartel Family Foundation will empower students in Genesee County to attend ɫ��Ƶ's transformative summer camps, learn new skills and explore a college campus,” said Kim Shumaker, Robotics Community Center and Robotics Outreach Director at ɫ��Ƶ.

The 9,600-square-foot Robotics Community Center opened in 2014. It features machining and designing areas, a regulation-size practice field and bays for robotics teams to store equipment.

ɫ��Ƶ’s pre-college robotics camps sharpen student's collaborative problem-solving abilities through hands-on activities. Because students are interested in many different aspects of robotics, camps cover various topics from programming to design to construction to leadership. Because all camps take place at ɫ��Ƶ, students are immersed in the college environment and can choose between day camps and residential camps.

The $10,000 grant from the Arthur G. Bishop Charitable Trust will help Flint and Genesee County students overcome financial barriers to participating in pre-college summer camps at ɫ��Ƶ and gaining experience with various robotics programs, including aerial drones. The grant also helps fund Robotics Center mobile camps and workshops, which can bring fun and learning through robotics to schools or facilities in underserved communities.

"Educational opportunities in Genesee County are key to our mission, so we are honored to continue our support of ɫ��Ƶ's stellar Engineering and Computer Science programs," said Dennis Leyder, Trustee of the Arthur G. Bishop Charitable Trust. “Besides expanding their understanding of robotics, students will gain teamwork skills to prepare them for the future. The students come away with a sense of accomplishment, and—best of all—it's fun.”

Similarly, the $10,000 grant from the James A. Welch Foundation will help reduce financial barriers for students from Genesee County, enabling them to participate in pre-college summer camps at ɫ��Ƶ and build their interest in STEM through various robotics programs, including drones.

"The Welch Foundation has awarded many grants to ɫ��Ƶ due to their support and outreach to Genesee County students and their cultivation and identification of talented youth," said Dr. Gail Ganakas, President of the James A Welch Foundation. "ɫ��Ƶ’s robotics programs engage teams to explore their gifts and talents in STEM activities. Students are provided opportunities to demonstrate higher-level thinking skills that often go unrecognized."

The $5,000 grant from the Nartel Family Foundation will fund the purchase and installation of a computer numerical control (CNC) machine in the Robotics Center. Students can cut various parts using the CNC machine and learn to use more advanced robotics build concepts such as computer-aided design (CAD).

"The Nartel Family Foundation is proud of ɫ��Ƶ's role in helping young people find their potential through pre-college programs and advanced machinery,” said Timm Allen, Communications Officer & Trustee of the Nartel Family Foundation. “We feel that what these young people learn and experience will help them in their future careers. We are honored to support ɫ��Ƶ."

In addition to pre-college programs and machinery, gifts can also fund robotics scholarships. The University offered its first two scholarships to robotics students in 1999 and has awarded more than $5.5 million since then.

Robotics

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Robots Take Over Rec Center for Consumers Energy and ɫ��Ƶ Michigan VEX Robotics Competition

ɫ��Ƶ Awarded $25,000 in Grants for Robotics Center and Pre-College Robotics Programs