Rosalia ag students build new robot entry

Students in Rosalia’s ag education department have constructed another robot to enter the regional robotics event at Key Arena in Seattle March 25-27.

The game this year is entitled Breakaway and presents a very complicated mechanical challenge, according to Dee Peterschick, advisor.

Robots will be required to kick a soccer ball.

There will be very big steep bumps in the course and one tunnel in the middle with 18 inches of clearance.

The Rosalia Robot has a kicker inside that launches the ball when it comes in contact.

Students built their own design track out of farm roller chain with more than 150 clips welded on to attach the rubber track pads.

The robot is less than 18 inches tall and has all the capabilities to move over most terrain.

Peterschick filled out grant applications to NASA, OSPI, Bezo Family Foundation, Spokane Chamber of Commerce, and gained further support from John Deere Arrow Machinery.

Just the entry fee and basic kit of parts cost $5,000.

Teams then utilize additional dollars up to $3,500 for their robot.

More than 1800 teams from all over the U.S.A. and other countries have built robots to compete in Seattle.

Again, the team wants to represent agriculture and that was a primary consideration in building a robot with tracks, Peterschick explained.