SRM Team Robocon:R1 & R2

SRM Team Robocon: A Legacy of Innovation and Excellence

In 2011, a group of enthusiastic SRM students participated in DD Robocon and were inspired by the competition’s challenges. This spark of inspiration led to the founding of SRM Team Robocon in 2012, with the aim of becoming the official SRM team for ABU Robocon. Today, this legacy lives on, with a team of 80 passionate members from diverse engineering disciplines, ranging from first-year to fourth-year students, working tirelessly to push the boundaries of robotics innovation.

Our team is organized into four domains—SPACED, SIESED, SAMBED, and MCSOCD—that handle coding, electronics, mechanical design, and corporate tasks, respectively. While each domain has its specific focus, we foster a collaborative environment where every member contributes across all areas. Led by dedicated domain leads and a team lead, we operate as a cohesive unit driven by a shared goal: to represent India at ABU Robocon and make our seniors proud.

The Challenge: ABU Robocon

ABU Robocon, an annual international robotics competition, presents a unique theme each year inspired by the host country. The competition begins with national rounds, with the winner of DD Robocon earning the honor of representing India on the global stage. The journey is rigorous, involving three stages: documentation, video submission, and the grand finale held at IIT Delhi.

Over the years, SRM Team Robocon has earned recognition for our ingenuity and dedication. In addition to winning prestigious awards such as the Most Economical Bot, Autodesk Fusion - Best User Experience, and Fusion Fabricator Award, we have also won several cash prizes. In 2023, we achieved our best ranking to date, securing AIR 9 with two robots designed for Vietnam’s agriculture-themed challenge.

From Seeds to Slam Dunks

Last year’s theme revolved around agriculture, requiring us to design two robots—R1, a manual bot that planted seedlings and shot grains, and R2, an autonomous bot that sorted and stored paddy rice. To bring these robots to life, we designed 2-layer PCBs, which formed the backbone of their electronic systems. (Pictures of these boards will be included below.)

This year, the challenge comes from Mongolia, with a focus on basketball. The task is to design and build two basketball-playing robots that can perform with precision and agility while adhering to strict guidelines.

The Role of PCBWay in Our Success

To meet the increased complexity of this year’s robots, we are incorporating 4-layer PCBs to handle the advanced sensors and processors necessary for precision gameplay. As college students with financial limitations, sourcing such high-quality PCBs within budget is a significant challenge.

PCBWay, known for its best value with manufacturer-direct pricing, fast turnaround as quick as 24 hours, and one-on-one assistance, can help us overcome these hurdles. Their support would enable us to prototype and refine our designs efficiently, ensuring our robots are competition-ready. With PCBWay’s high-quality manufacturing capabilities, we can build reliable systems that bring us closer to achieving our goals at ABU Robocon.

Beyond Competitions

Our ambitions go beyond rankings and awards. We are committed to promoting robotics education and inspiring the next generation of innovators. Each year, our recruitment process includes intensive training sessions, ensuring every member gains hands-on experience and broad expertise. We also host workshops at SRM to teach students about specialized software and participate in hackathons, where we have earned several accolades.

Looking Ahead

As we work on this year’s basketball robots, we are driven by a vision to excel at the competition and represent India on the global stage. More importantly, we aim to honor the legacy of our founders by continuing to innovate, inspire, and educate.

With every challenge we tackle, and with PCBWay’s invaluable support, we move closer to our ultimate goal—building a future where robotics is accessible to all.