Robotics
Team 6510 Pymble Pride travelled to the FRC Colorado Regional to compete in their second regional of the season from Saturday 15 March to Friday 28 March. Attending a second regional provides the team with valuable competition experience and an opportunity to refine their performance.
FRC is the most challenging and intense build season, with teams having only a few weeks to strategise, design, build, code, and practise before competing. One of the defining aspects of FRC is that it involves a single robot, requiring all students to collaborate, organise themselves, and contribute in meaningful ways. Our first competition was the Southern Cross Regional in Penrith from Friday 7 March to Sunday 9 March, where 40 students participated, each with an important role. For Colorado, we had a smaller group of 16 students, meaning everyone had to take on additional responsibilities.
To transport the robot to Colorado, the team had to dismantle it before departure and reassemble it upon arrival. We were fortunate to receive support from Up-A-Creek Robotics, Team 1619, who generously offered their workshop for us to rebuild, test, and practise alongside them. Their hospitality was invaluable in ensuring we were competition-ready.
The Colorado Regional was an incredible experience, featuring 50 teams, mostly from the United States, along with international teams from China, Chinese Taipei, Mexico, the Czech Republic, and, of course, Australia. The high level of competition made the event both exciting and strategically demanding.
We were proud to serve as Alliance Captain of Alliance 4 and invited Team 4593 Rapid Acceleration and Team 6348 PrepaTec HORUS to join us. The playoffs were an intense challenge, focusing purely on scoring as many points as possible, as quickly as possible. Teams generally adopt one of two main strategies: positioning one robot to play defence and slow down the opposing alliance or having all three robots focus entirely on scoring. Strategy discussions and agreements between alliance members are crucial before each match.
Our team performed exceptionally well, and we were thrilled with our results. Additionally, we were honoured to receive the Quality Award, which celebrates excellence in machine robustness, both in concept and fabrication. The judges had this to say about our team:
“This team travels far and wide to show off their module-designed robot. The quality and strength of their single base, as well as the functionality of their outtake and cage climber, ensured success on the playing field. ‘No worries’—this ‘Crikey’ team appeared from ‘Down Under’ and came prepared with a high-quality robot.”
Beyond the competition, the event provided fantastic opportunities to meet other teams, share experiences, and form friendships. With all the team pits located close together, there was plenty of interaction and collaboration between teams.
Our trip lasted nearly two weeks, allowing us to explore Colorado and Los Angeles beyond the competition. Highlights included visiting the breathtaking Echo Lake Park and Evergreen in Colorado, and Disneyland in Los Angeles. These experiences added another layer of excitement to the journey, making it a truly unforgettable trip.
Team 6510 Pymble Pride is incredibly proud of our efforts, and we look forward to continuing our FRC journey with the same passion and determination.
Cristhina Boni Lavratti
Robotics Manager