Skills Ontario 2023 Hockey Robot
we didn't use a robot kit
we didn't use a robot kit
The Skills Ontario Competition is a prestigious event held annually in Ontario, Canada, that provides a platform for top students to showcase their skills and expertise in various vocational and technical fields. This competition spans over two and a half days and attracts participants, educators, families, and potential employers. Participants aim to prove that they are the best in their respective fields, competing in a wide range of skill-based contests.
I played a pivotal role in the Skills Ontario Robotics Competition. While it was rooted in VEX robotics, our team took an unconventional approach.
Rather than relying on VEX robotics kits, we decided to construct every
component from scratch. We used 3-phase motors, drill batteries, and
even fabricated our aluminum chassis for the robot. Managing the robot's
electronics was a major task. It operated wirelessly and could connect
to Bluetooth PS2 controllers. Arduino boards powered it, and every piece
had to be soldered meticulously.
We undertook the intricate task of understanding each electronic
component and how they intricately interacted. Our responsibilities
extended to coding each module from the ground up. But it didn't stop
there. We took on the monumental challenge of drawing the circuit
diagram entirely by hand. This comprehensive hands-on approach was the
most immersive engineering experience we could have ever hoped for.
Given that our entire team was in grade 12, busy with college and university applications, we had limited time for the project. We dedicated an hour or two after school, once or twice a week. However, as the deadline loomed closer, we had to be excused from classes for an entire day to make progress. Integrating various components into a functional robot was one of our most significant challenges.
Upon completing the robot, we traveled to the Skills Competition in Toronto. Unfortunately, the robot stopped working upon arrival, seemingly due to a malfunction with the dual H-bridge drivers for the 3-phase motors. We spent an entire night in a hotel room, soldering, hot gluing, and debugging the robot. Initially, only our jokingly named autonomous robot was functional. The competition days were filled with debugging and resoldering every part of the robot. We had to drill new holes and ensure every connection was correct. It transformed into a 36-hour marathon, resembling a hackathon.
Despite using non-standard components and hastily assembling the robot, we dared to challenge other bots, most of which were using VEX kits and were more optimized. While we didn't secure the first place, we didn't come in last, and eventually, we got our 3-phase motor drivers to work.
I not only comprehended the circuit diagram but also grasped the mechanics of the 3-phase motors. I led our group in working on the mechanical, electrical, and software components. The experience was intensely hands-on and felt more like a collaborative effort among high school students than a mentorship.
On the last day, instead of witnessing the final matches (since we didn't make it to the finals), we embarked on an adventure to explore Toronto. We visited the iconic CN Tower, strolled around the rain-drenched city, savored boba tea and Vietnamese cuisine, and returned to our hotel just in time for curfew. We ordered a lavish feast through DoorDash, spent the evening listening to a "Where's Waldo" audiobook, played numerous Jackbox games, and, most importantly, engaged in countless rounds of Secret Hitler.
But that's not where the fun ended. After returning to the hotel, we realized that some of our friends had fallen asleep early. Spontaneously, we decided to play a lighthearted prank on them. We gathered every single item we could find in the hotel room, from pillows to chairs, ironing boards to pots, plates, glasses, and more, and began stacking them on top of our slumbering friend. The result was a towering spectacle of absurdity that left everyone in stitches. It was a moment of camaraderie, humor, and mischief that capped off an exceptional journey.
We designed custom patches to commemorate our journey and honor our mentor. The patches feature our robot, an orange ball symbolizing the game we played, and a 15-tooth gear for May 1st, our competition day. A crown represents our unique victory, and blue and white showcase our school colors. The tagline "No Kit Needed" embodies our philosophy of building from scratch and learning along the way.