Week 5 has been a very busy week for the WildStang Robotics Program. Each subteam has their hands full with making sure robot construction is on track. Both robots have undergone major improvements and will soon be ready for competition!

WildStang’s Mechanical Subteam
WildStang’s mechanical subteam has tested all of the previous week’s major additions and revisions on the robot. The subteam has also been taking apart different mechanisms to fix errors. For example, when bearings on the robot were used the carriage would pop out when the robot drove sideways. So, ‘drylin igus’ rails were added to further constrain the carriage.

Plus One’s Mechanical Subteam
Plus One’s mechanical subteam has assembled their gripper mechanism and their intake has been installed. These two important components are currently being tested. The team plans to have scoring capabilities this upcoming week!

WildStang’s Electrical Subteam
111’s electrical subteam has put foam sheets on the battery card for storage. The subteam took leads off the old batteries; they have been put on the new batteries. The subteam has also mapped out the new LEDs on the robot. The LEDs are used to initiate human-player interaction. The yellow LEDs are used for cones while the purple LEDs are used for cubes.

Plus One’s Electrical Subteam
Plus One’s electrical subteam has been working on and revising the pneumatic pistons for the robot’s claw mechanism. The subteam has also been adding new leads to the new batteries while replacing the old batteries. Also, they plan to add a chain guard in order to clean up the wiring in the robot.

WildStang’s Software Subteam
The 111 software subteam has been working on and testing the robot. Specifically, the subteam has been focused on improving and revising the limelight code. The subteam has started the debugging process when reviewing the programming. The subteam hopes to soon test the automatic alignment systems in the upcoming week.

Plus One’s Software Subteam
The 112 software subteam reviewed the portable intake code and they have begun to update the code. The improved portable intake code is ready for review. The subteam plans to upload the new code to the robot and begin testing and revising.

WildStang and Plus One’s Joint Strategy Subteam
WildStang and Plus One’s joint strategy subteam have been working on scouting training. The strategy subteam has been watching and reviewing information that other teams have posted on Chief Delphi. The subteam is preparing to collect information and data when other teams’ robots are revealed.

WildStang Robotics Program Communications Team
111 and 112’s joint communications team has submitted both the Woodie Flowers Award and the Impact Award. The subteam also wrote and posted the week 4 blog post. The REV Robotics Valentine’s day post winners will receive REV merchandise; WildStang has been selected as one of the 7 winners!

Overall, week five has ushered in major refinements for both robots. The teams are locked-in and focused on perfecting their designs.