FIRST Tech Challenge

FIRST Tech Challenge is FIRST's Program for middle-school and high-school students. The Alberta Tech Alliance Association organizes three FTC teams for students in grades 7 to 9. These teams (Hyperdroids 10015, Strike Bot 16595, Crazy Artificial Intelligence 16596, and Uncivilized Mecha Monkeys 23468), compete at multiple annual events in Canada for a spot at the World Competition in Houston, Texas.

The 2024 season has been a significant success, with 10015 taking the win at provincials (earning a spot at Worlds), 16595 making it to semi-finals in provincials (as well as earing the Judge's Choice award) and 23468 being 4th alliance captain in the Nii'miis'stii league tournament. 10015 also earned the Design award at Nii'miis'stii and was runner-up for the Control award at provincials.

Although an older team number, Hyperdroids had a re-boot in their 2023 season with all-new students and mentors. Many of the team stayed together for 2024, continuing their learning and success.

The theme of pink shirts and gum continued: a googly-eyed 3-wheeled kiwi-drive robot named "Bubblegum" in 2023 was replaced with a larger, squatter "Dubble Bubble" in 2024 featuring a 4-wheel mecchanum drive base and plenty of 3D-printed pink parts. The team has learned to work together bringing sketches to prototypes to designs, using more custom and 3D-printed fabrication this year.

Much of Hyperdroid's success is also due to their calm and strategic drive-team backed up by a well-tuned pit crew who keep the robot tested, charged and ready to compete. An iterative approach to programming controls and autonomous has allowed the team to meet a series of smaller objectives on their way to a Worlds robot, incorporating many control lessons and stategies from the previous season.

Please see the Hyperdroids YouTube channel and @10015hyperdroids on Instagram.