The Academies of Loudoun Robotics Team (RoboLoco) is participating in their first competition of the season. The first team to compete in the First Robotics League, RoboLoco has competed at the international level multiple times and won the Engineering Inspiration award for their accomplishments. Alongside competing in the Robotics competition, they promote STEM throughout Loudoun County as well. For instance, RoboLoco mentored First Lego League (FLL) teams, which typically consist of elementary school kids. They also published a podcast called Robocast, which earned over 200 listens in the first three months and is available on all major streaming platforms.

 There are 4 subteams in RoboLoco: Mechanical, Software, Business, and Creative. These subteams work together to improve the team and robot from different perspectives.  In the kickoff event, the host gives a description of the game or competition for that season. This season’s game, in order to get points, cones and cubes had to be placed in their respective places. Starting in January after the kickoff event, the Mechanical subteam started the creation process of the robot. After the Mechanical subteam completes the robot, the robot is then handed over to the Software subteam. This subteam mainly handles coding the robot and its electrical aspect.

While the Mechanical and Software subteams are working on the robot, the Business and Creative subteams are working on other aspects needed to keep the team running. The Business subteam works on fundraising and making money for the Mechanical and Software subteams to buy the parts needed for the robot. Some fundraisers previously conducted by the Business subteam include the Roy Rogers Car Wash, where team members washed cars to make money for the team. The Business subteam also conducts outreach in the community. Currently this subteam is working on a Lego drive to collect Legos to donate for local FLL teams. The Creative subteam creates the team merch, which includes the shirts and sweatshirts worn during competitions and team spirit events. There are also many projects in which the Business and Creative subteams work together.

At the District Qualifying Competition RoboLoco gave an excellent performance. During the competition, the robot had a malfunctioning motor, and they acted quickly and efficiently to fix the motor to have an amazing finish. At the end of the competition, RoboLoco proudly received the Impact award, which is handed to a team who made significant impacts throughout the community. RoboLoco really has embraced their mission statement: “We are more than a First team: we are a community.” RoboLoco had a great first competition of the year, and I look forward to seeing what else this team can accomplish!

 

written by Aryan Dotiwalla

edited by Saanvi Gutta and Keerthi Selvam