Behind the scenes

What does it take to build a robot?

The VEX V5 competition is cleverly designed to challenge teams in a variety of different skill areas, including:

  • designing, engineering and building

  • coding

  • problem solving

  • explaining thinking

  • game strategy

  • driving skills

  • forming alliances with other teams

  • organisation and teamwork

The Thistle Robotics team have spent hours and hours of their time during busy exam years, working on their robot.

They have studied other robots. They have agonised over game theory. They have built a cooling system to cool the motors down more quickly to maximise precious practice time.

They have built and dismantled the robot several times to make improvements.

They have laboured over code, and scrupulously written up all their thinking and learning in a comprehensive technical notebook.

Team members have brought a diverse range of skills to the mix, working collaboratively to maximise success.

Click ‘play’ to see Thistle Robotics in action at the UK National finals. (Thistle Robotics starts in the bottom right corner.)