The Jetsons had Rosie. Princess Leia had C-3PO. And who could forget R2-D2?
Now, the Oxford High School Robotics Team will have Robo Cat.
Since January 6, the rookie team has spent three hours every evening and every weekend sketching and collaborating on how to build their robot for the U.S. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) competition in March.
The team, which is made up of 23 students, was started by OHS teacher Amy Micheals after she was able to secure a grant from the Michigan Department of Education and from a NASA Robotics Alliance Project grant totaling $12,000.
Although Robo Cat isn’t in one piece yet, the Oxford team’s been working hard on the project.
Helping the team prepare for the competition are mentors, like Rodger Lindsey, who also helped the team get the work space at Delta Technology Group in Auburn Hills they needed for their daily gatherings.
He has helped with other robotics teams before, but said it has been ‘rough’getting Robo Cat running for the Oxford team.
‘There’s a large learning curve. Everyone involved has a lot to learn,? he said. ‘The hardest part about building it is going through the design process, making things work.?
The FIRST Robotics Competition, which will be held on the campus of Eastern Michigan University March 8-10, challenges teams of students and their mentors to solve a common problem with their robot in a six-week timeframe using a standard kit of parts.
Some rules the team must follow during the competition are a weight and size limit. Once finished, Robo Cat is expected to be 4-feet tall and 120 pounds. Their deadline for completion is Feb. 20.
Each year, FIRST Robotics sets a specific ‘game? the robot must play. This year, each robot must lift inner tubes and place them on various levels to get certain points.
Lindsey said the neatest part of the competition will be when Robo Cat will run by itself for 15 seconds.
Although they’re rookies, the team seems to be confident they’re going to win.
Junior John Fifield said he wanted to become a part of the Oxford Robotics Team because he likes to work with ‘hands on stuff,? while sophomore Lanie Money said she’s learned a lot by being on the team.
‘I’m really glad I joined,? she said.
Lindsey said the team has good financial support from parents and small fund-raisers done by the kids, but they are in desperate need of more sponsors to be able to participate in future competitions.
So far, the Auburn Hills Home Depot has donated $150, the Lake Orion store will be donating materials and the Sam’s Club of Auburn Hills donated a $40 gift card to the team.
To become a sponsor for the Oxford Robotics Team, or to donate tools or any other items, please contact Amy Micheals at (248) 969-5100, ext. 4130, or her cell phone (248) 736-7056, or e-mail michea01@oxford.k12.mi.us.