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Alpine Robotics 2025 Season
- Poudre Press Staff
- May 8
- 9 min read
The build season:
The build season started out with the team not being able to use the shop due to it being renovated, so we had to remember that whatever we built was going to have minimal machining. Due to the limits of what we were able to do this year, we focused on a simple yet good robot. The main thing that we wanted the robot to do was to climb on a hanging cage and also be able to score on the bottom level of the scoring platforms. We chose to do this because we thought we would be able to make a robot that could make these objectives happen. So we started with designing the robot in the computer-aided design (CAD) software SolidWorks, and we worked out how the robot would work. Next, the shop team started building the robot by machine with some of the parts in our Conex with the drill press that we had and a bandsaw. This took a long time, and we had to make accurate parts without having any good measuring devices. We also 3D printed a large number of parts on the robot, ranging from the gripper sides to a plate that held up the power switch on the robot. While we were building the mechanical parts and working out issues that we ran into with building the robot we were also wiring up the robot with all of the electronics that it needs to function this was a hard thing to do this year because are climber made so we had a 8 by 8 inch hole in the center of the robot so we lost a large amount of the room that on previous robots would be used for electronics. We had a driving robot 4 weeks into the build season, although at this point, we didn’t have any other parts on the robot except what was needed for it to drive. Over the next few years, we worked on getting all of the parts on the robot and getting them working. During this time, we ran into a few problems, but we were able to put them together pretty easily. Next, we focused on programming the robot, which was a large task, and we were able to get it done, and were able to start focusing on optimizing area programming. After we had it together and running, we started doing driver practice and working on deciding who was going to be a driver for the year. This was a long process, but we were able to narrow it down to a good driver. Then, with there only being a few weeks before the competition, we went to Loveland High School to do driver practice on their full field. This went well, and we were able to get a huge amount of driver practice in before we left for the competition. After the first competition, we had 2 weeks where we spent a large amount of time focusing on programming and driver practice.
The Denver competition:
This was a long process for preparing and took a large amount of planning and work, but we made it. We drove down Thursday morning and started to prepare for the 3 practice matches we had later that afternoon. When it came time to start the first, we prepared and got on the field and started. This was a good first match for the season. Then we had about an hour before we had are next match, and we spent that time switching the battery and changing the bumpers to the other color, along with trying to get some programming done. The next match that we did went pretty well, but we were still working out kinks in the system. Before we had are final match, we did some driver practice on the practice field that they had at the arena. Next, we had are final assigned match for the day, and we went and did pretty good but were still having problems with our climber. After are final match for the day, we had an opportunity to compete in another match, and we did, and that match went pretty well, leaving us in a happy place for the day, ready to come back and start the matches that actually mattered.
On Friday, when we got there, we got the robot up and running and checked everything, and made sure nothing was broken. The first match was Qual 5, when pretty good. Although we didn’t win, we had gotten are climber working and were able to score a rank point for are team and the two other teams that we we competing with this match. To watch the match, go here:
This match score was 51 to 82, with us losing. After that, we went to the practice field and worked on some driver training. Are next Qual match was Qual 12, and we were also able to climb this match with a closer match, but still lost 83 to 98. To watch the match, go here:
At this point, we went to the practice field and started trying to focus on are auto period of are robot, trying to get it to work. About an hour later, we had a match. It being Qual 25, his match was a ruff match, but are team was able to get 3 rank points for are team. This match ended with a score of 100 to 143. To watch the match, go here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8yvy77QnoI
A this point, we did more auto practice and went to lunch. When we came back, we were in Qual 30, this being an even worse loss with a score of 83 to 133, with are team only scoring 1 rank point for climbing. To watch the match, go here:
After are previous match, we went to the practice field and did some driver training for are climb along with some autonomous. After we finished this was had 3 Quals left for the day, and the next one was up being Qual 40. This was are first win and are only win for the day. This brought all of our spirits up, and we went back to the practice field. To watch the match, go here:
Once we were at the practice field, we kept working on are autonomous and did a little bit of driver practice. Are next qualifier was Qual 47, so we were excited to see how this match went, although we knew we would lose due to one of the teams that we were going against being the second best in the entire tournament. And this match went really badly for us, being 60 to 137. To watch the match, go here:
After this, we did some practice before are last match of the day, being Qual 52. Although we lost this match, it wasn't as bad a loss as the last time. We lost this match 84 to 97. To watch the match, go here:
Once this day began, we started preparing for are first match, being Qual 61, one of the first matches of the day. This match was great and became are second win from the tournament with a score of 128 to 127. To watch the match, go here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VR5etHlGUDM
After this match, we started preparing for are last Qual match by doing some driver training on the practice field, and when to start are last match of Quals. Qual 70 was are last match, and although it wasn't a great match, it wasn't the worst match we had been in. This match was a loss and had a score of 74 to 124. To watch the match, go here:
After this, there was Alliance selection, where we were selected as the second pick of the 7th alliance, making it to that we would compete in the playoff bracket that afternoon. While we were preparing for the playoffs, we were working on our robot's programming and driver training. The first match off the playoffs put us against the number 2 alliance, and we almost won that match, which would have put the Number 2 Alliance in the losers' bracket. This match was match 3 with a loss of 124 to 131. To watch the match, go here:
After this loss, we were in the losers' bracket with a chance to still win, but the chances were small. We then worked on our robot during the break, hoping to make modifications. Are next match was up, and it was not as close as the last match was, but we still had a high scoring match with us losing 146 to 176. To watch the match, go here:
After the match, we packed up and headed home to start preparing for are competition in Minneapolis two weeks after are Denver Competition.
The Minneapolis competition:
On the first day of the competition, we had 3 practice matches stretching into the afternoon. We were able to do pretty well during those matches and ended up doing a filler match in the afternoon due to the amount of time that we had. Are robot was running well without any big problems occurring.
On Friday, we got to the event center right as it opened and got to work on the robot, making sure nothing had broken on the robot that we didn’t notice. Are first match of the day was Qual 5 and this was a great first match with us winning 72 to 16 in are first match. To watch the match, go here:
Before are next match, we went back to the pit and checked over the robot, and we even went over to the practice field and started practicing are climb. Are next match was Qual 15, and this was a pretty good match, but we ended up losing 96 to 140. To watch the match, go here:
Before are next match, we had checked over the robot to make sure nothing was broken. We were good and prepared for are next match. Are next Match was Qual 29, which was after lunch, but we were ready for it. Although we lost the match, it was a good match. It was a loss of 78 to 147. To watch the match, go here:
Before are next match, we switched the bumpers and are we checked over the robot and made sure there was nothing broken. Are next Qual match was Qual 37, and this was a good match. We won this match 174 to 114, bringing are score for the tournament up to 2 wins, 2 losses, and 0 ties. To watch the match, go here:
The previous match had brought are place up to 18th place in the tournament, and this was a great place, and we were all excited. When we got back to the pit, we checked the robot over and made sure everything was working, but then we had another session on the practice field, so we went and worked on our climbing times. The next match we had was Qual 42. This was a good match, while we still lost 125 to 171, we were still able to get all of the rank points that we could get without winning. To watch the match, go here:
That match had brought are rank down to 19th place. Although we weren't thrilled that we lost, we were still in the top 20, whereas in our last tournament, we ended in 36th place. The next Qualification match and the last Qual of the day was Qual 50. This match was a good match with are team winning 83 to 64. To watch the match, go here:
On Saturday, we arrived at the arena early and started preparing for the three qualifying matches we had left in the day. Are next Qual match was Qual 59, we won this one 95 to 81, allowing for are score of 4 wins and 4 losses. To watch the match,h go here:
The next match that we had was Qual 68, which was a big win with a score of 123 to 114, with this match bringing are place up to 14th place. To watch the match, go here:
Are next and final Qual for the day was Qual 74, and this was another win, bringing are score to 6 wins and 4 losses, which was much better than the 2 wins and 9 losses that we had in Denver. This match was won by our team and had a score of 74 to 61. With are placed 15th at the end of the Qualifiers. To watch the match, go here:
This was a short day as we were not selected for playoffs and this was the end of are Season for the year.
Denver Photos:
Minneapolis Photos:
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