First and foremost, we are one team. We are all working together towards the same goal: to learn and to build a cool robot. However, specialization is necessary in order to complete the complex task of building a robot in the limited time frame we are allowed. To that end, our team is divided into different sub-teams, each one dedicated to a particular function.
Design
The design team is responsible for taking input from the whole team and combining the disjointed ideas into one unified design. While the whole team influences the design goals, the design team makes sure the robot will meet those goals. The design team makes sure we have a plan for a robot which can be assembled and will work.
Members of the design team will use sketches, whiteboards, low- and high-fidelity prototypes, and CAD (Computer Aided Design) to create, test, and iterate upon the design of the robot. They will also work closely with the manufacturing team and the system engineering mentor to ensure both that their design is implementable, and that their design is being correctly implemented.
Manufacturing
The manufacturing team is responsible for building the physical structure of the robot. This team takes the robot design from the design team and actually builds the robot.
Members of the manufacturing team will use a variety of tools, including (but not limited to) files, pliers, riveters, drill presses, a band saw, a mill, and a lathe, in order to build the robot. They will also work closely with the design team to ensure that the design is implementable, and that the robot is correctly built according to the design.
The manufacturing subteam also has a electrical team within it which is responsible for the electronics and wiring of the robot. They connect motors, wire cameras, connect electrical controllers, manage batteries, and perform other electrical-related tasks.
They will use tools such as wire-strippers, wire-cutters, soldering irons, and crimpers to wire the robot. They will also make sure the wiring is done safely, using the correct fuses, circuit breakers, and wire.
Programming
The programming subteam is responsible for writing the code which will control robot. This team makes sure the robot does exactly what we expect it to do, when we expect it to do it.
Members of the programming subteam will use software such as Java, Visual Studio Code, and GitHub to develop code for the robot. They will learn concepts such as object-oriented design, PID control loops, version control systems, and motion planning. They are responsible for creating software to support both autonomous and remote-controlled operation of the robot.
Business
The business subteam is responsible our team’s public presence and finances. This includes organizing outreach events, coordinating with the community, recruiting new team members, maintaining the team’s social media, awards, and finances.
They handle the team’s cash, managing expenditures and coordinating sponsors in order to gather revenue. They also coordinate with people and schools in the community to organize outreach events.
The business subteam will use google sheets, canva, and Instagram to create posts, keep track of finances, and more.