Feb 28 2011
Sprockets, a robotics team at Diamond Bar High, are busy preparing for the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) robotic competition. The teams have a period of six weeks to complete building their robots from a kit of parts.
The 30 member team from Diamond Bar received financial assistance from the country's leading math, science and engineering schools, such as Raytheon and Harvey Mudd College.
The other sponsors for Sprockets included JCPenney, Brahma and Walnut Valley Educational Foundations. The school district also pooled in some money to support the Sprockets team.
Some students worked to help the robot to move smoothly around the playing field. A sturdy, steel frame is used to carry the control system, electric motors, and batteries.
A senior at Diamond Bar had developed the robot’s control system with two other students. The team of three has programmed the robot to function in an autonomous mode.
Students are mounting a light sensor to enable the robot to follow a white stripe on the floor. Following this, Sprockets will test if the robot follows the right navigation route.
The challenge faced by the robotics team is to enable the functioning of the robotic arm to hang several target pieces.
Students who designed the vital machinery were confident that the robot would perform well at the regional contest to be held on March 24, 2011.