Robotics

Students Test Competition Robots Weeks Before the Season at 911��

lmadaus — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 14:22:53 +0000

Students Test Competition Robots Weeks Before the Season at 911��

lmadaus Wed, 02/18/2026 - 09:22

Four weeks into a FIRST Robotics Competition season, most robots are still in development. But at 911��, they were already operating in matches.

On Saturday, February 7, teams from Michigan and Indiana brought Kitbot, Everybot, and Robot in 3 Days (Ri3D) designs to the university’s Robotics Center for a mid-build competition, moving and developing systems from isolated testing into live match conditions.

Rather than waiting for official tournaments, teams evaluated scoring, control, and defensive interaction against active opponents, exposing performance limitations and informing redesign decisions.

Understanding This Year’s Game

This year’s game, REBUILT, emphasizes decision-making as much as mechanical capability. Alliances coordinate autonomous routines, respond to shifting scoring opportunities, and determine in seconds whether to collect, defend, or prepare for climbing.

A robot that performs reliably on its own may struggle once visibility narrows and partners share space. Simpler systems may outperform complex ones if they remain dependable, and alliance timing often determines whether scoring attempts count. Success depends on strategy, communication, and reliability under pressure, making early match play essential to understanding the game.

Throughout the day, robots continued to evolve. Teams refined control strategies, adjusted mechanisms between matches, and altered match approach as they encountered defensive pressure and field congestion.

Systems that performed consistently in isolation behaved differently in traffic. Mechanisms stalled. Operators compensated. And by the end of the event, many teams had already revised portions of their designs.

A Learning Tool Beyond the Building

The competition was broadcast live through the FUN Robotics Network and later published on its YouTube channel. The stream generated more than 15,000 total views, with live viewership increasing 58 percent compared to 2025.

“The Kitbot stream was a big success,” said Tyler Olds of the FUN Robotics Network. “Many teams watched to get an early look at scouting, and a short clip of Team 7211 Hollywood breaking the field has already reached about 50,000 views across platforms.”

Designing for the Real Game

Five teams participated in the event:

Team 9455 DinoMights — Hartland, Michigan
Team 7211 Hollywood — Holly, Michigan
Team RI3D@PNW — Hammond, Indiana
Team 10606 Foley Flare — Madison Heights, Michigan
Team 7197 Mountie Mega Bot — Jackson, Michigan

Team 7211 Hollywood and Team 10606 Foley Flare finished as event champions.

Why Early Competition Matters

Practice environments cannot fully reproduce match pressure, defensive interaction, or real-time decision-making.

By hosting the mid-build event, 911�� enabled an earlier engineering cycle: build, evaluate, and refine, weeks before official events.

The outcome is not only improved robot performance, but also stronger preparation and a clearer understanding of how engineering concepts operate in real conditions.

KUdos Closes Regular Season with Excellence Award, Turns Focus to VEX-U World Championship

lmadaus — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 14:51:32 +0000

KUdos Closes Regular Season with Excellence Award, Turns Focus to VEX-U World Championship

Robotics

lmadaus Mon, 02/09/2026 - 09:51

911��’s VEX-U robotics team, KUdos, concluded its regular competition schedule with its strongest all-around performance of the season, earning the Excellence Award at the California Baptist University Open on January 31 in Riverside, California.

The result caps a season that has seen the team progress from an early Worlds qualification to consistent high finishes across multiple events, culminating in recognition for overall program performance rather than a single competitive category.

A Complete Event Performance

Competing against 13 collegiate teams from universities and community colleges across California and Nevada, KUdos placed near the top of the standings throughout the event.

The team gained the following awards and achievements:

Excellence Award
Finalists in elimination rounds
2nd place in combined Autonomous and Driver Skills
3rd in qualification rankings (6-0-1 record)

The Excellence Award, the highest-level honor presented at VEX-U events, recognizes performance across judging, documentation, teamwork, and on-field competition, requiring teams to rank near the top of qualification matches and skills challenges while demonstrating a complete engineering process.

Unlike performance-only awards, the honor evaluates how well a team plans, communicates, iterates, and executes across an entire competition cycle.

From Early Qualification to Consistency

Earlier this season, KUdos qualified for the VEX-U World Championship and earned a Design Award recognizing its engineering process and documentation. Subsequent events tested whether the team could translate preparation into repeatable results.

The California Baptist University Open marked the first time this season the team combined judged recognition with a deep elimination run and top-tier skills performance at the same event.

The progression reflects a shift from building a competitive robot to operating a fully coordinated program, managing match strategy, technical iteration, and communication under tournament conditions.

Team Members

Nathan Nguyen ‘26, B-Section Team Captain, Lead Designer & Fabricator, 24" Drive Coach, Pit Crew
Andrew Bolthouse ‘27, A-Section Team Captain, 15" Drive Coach, Technician
Mactar Gueye ‘30, Programmer, Designer, 24" Driver
Daniel Buddington ‘30, Pit Crew, 15" Driver

Preparing for Worlds

With its regular season complete, KUdos now shifts its focus to the VEX-U World Championship, where collegiate teams from around the world compete across autonomous programming, driver control, engineering interviews, and full tournament play.

Rather than entering Worlds as a newly qualified team, KUdos arrives after a schedule designed to expose the robot and team to different competitive styles, judging expectations, and match environments.

The Excellence Award performance serves as the final benchmark before international competition, demonstrating readiness across both technical execution and team operations.

The team now advances to the VEX-U World Championship following its most complete performance of the season.

Student Teams Earn Top Honors at the January Jetstream Jam, an RECF Aerial Drone Competition

lmadaus — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 15:28:01 +0000

Student Teams Earn Top Honors at the January Jetstream Jam, an RECF Aerial Drone Competition

Recreation Center

Robotics

lmadaus Tue, 02/03/2026 - 10:28

Middle school and high school student teams from Michigan and Ohio competed on January 31 at the January Jetstream Jam, an RECF Aerial Drone Competition event hosted by 911�� in the Connie and Jim John Recreation Center.

The one-day event featured skills missions, teamwork matches, in-person judging, and digital flight logbooks. Teams were evaluated on piloting skills, autonomous flight programming, teamwork, communication, and aviation safety, in alignment with the Robotics Education and Competition Foundation (RECF) standards for the Aerial Drone Competition program.

“Across the RECF Aerial Drone Competition, we see teams that return year after year with a strong grasp of the program’s expectations,” said Kimberly Shumaker, Director, Robotics Outreach and Robotics Center at Kettering. “From skills and teamwork missions to coding and communications, students are challenged to perform across multiple areas. Teams like those from Caledonia reflect that sustained preparation and well-rounded approach, which is exactly what the All-Around Champion award is designed to recognize.”

The January Jetstream Jam is part of a broader commitment to hands-on STEM education supported by Financial Plus Credit Union, which has sponsored 911��’s RECF robotics and Aerial Drone Competition programs from 2025 through 2027.

All-Around Champions

The All-Around Champion award recognizes teams that demonstrate strong performance across both judged and mission-based categories.

Middle School All-Around Champion:
7581B – Operation Platypus, Haslett Robotics Club, Haslett, Michigan
High School All-Around Champion:
13130A – Calvin and Hobbes, Caledonia High School, Caledonia, Michigan

Teamwork Mission Champions

The Teamwork Mission Champion award recognizes teams that demonstrate effective collaboration and performance in teamwork matches.

13130E – 404 Team Not Found, Caledonia High School, Caledonia, Michigan
13130G – Night Runners, Caledonia High School, Caledonia, Michigan

Skills Missions Champions

The Skills Missions Champion award recognizes top performance across autonomous flight and piloting skills missions.

High School Skills Missions Champion
13130G – Night Runners, Caledonia High School, Caledonia, Michigan
Middle School Skills Missions Champion
13790B – Talk to Me, Goose!!, Duncan Lake Middle School, Caledonia, Michigan

Additional Judged Awards

Several teams were recognized for achievement in specific judged categories.

Communications Mission Champion
13130D – Fly Guys, Caledonia High School, Caledonia, Michigan
Coding Award
13130F – Terrain Terrain Pull Up, Caledonia High School, Caledonia, Michigan
Airmanship Award
2700A – Team RUSH Fliers, Clarkston High School, Clarkston, Michigan
Judges Award
3223B – Hamady Hawkeye Drone Squad, Hamady Community High School, Flint, Michigan

The January Jetstream Jam concluded with teamwork elimination matches, finals, and awards, bringing together students, coaches, and volunteers for a full day of competition.

KUdos Builds Momentum at Gear Slingers Open on the Road to VEX-U Worlds

lmadaus — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 16:02:06 +0000

KUdos Builds Momentum at Gear Slingers Open on the Road to VEX-U Worlds

Robotics

lmadaus Thu, 01/22/2026 - 11:02

After qualifying for the VEX-U World Championship earlier this season, KUdos, 911��’s collegiate robotics team, continued its schedule with a January appearance at the Gear Slingers Open.

Hosted January 18 at California Polytechnic State University, the Gear Slingers Open served as the college-level tournament during a one-day robotics competition weekend and was part of the global VEX Robotics Competition leading to the VEX-U World Championship. The event brought together 16 collegiate teams from across the West Coast, including UC Santa Barbara, California Baptist University, and CSU Northridge.

KUdos was one of only three teams at the event competing from outside California, and the only team representing the Midwest.

“What really stood out was the quality of the event,” said Nathan Nguyen ’26, team captain, design and fabrication lead, and drive coach. “It was well organized, fun, and gave us the chance to talk with teams we don’t normally compete against.”

Steady Performance in a Competitive Field

At the Gear Slingers Open, KUdos recorded results across multiple areas of competition. The team ranked third overall in qualification matches with a 7-0-1 record, advanced to the semifinals in elimination play, and placed second in combined autonomous and driver skills.

Those results placed KUdos in the upper tier of teams across qualification matches, skills challenges, and elimination rounds at the 16-team event.

“We’ve spent most of our time competing in the Midwest, especially early on when nearly all of our events were in Michigan,” Nguyen said. “Last year, we started traveling to other Midwestern states, and this season, with more team members from the West Coast, we decided to take the opportunity to compete out here. Seeing how other teams operate, how they approach competition, and how different events are run was eye-opening, and we learned a lot from the experience.”

Recognition for Alignment, Not Just Results

KUdos was also awarded the Excellence Award, the highest-level honor presented at VEX-U events, recognizing overall excellence across both judged and performance-based categories. The award incorporates the Design Award criteria along with a team’s on-field performance.

Judges evaluate Excellence Award candidates based on the quality and completeness of their Engineering Notebook, the effectiveness of their team interview, and the alignment between documented design decisions, communication, and robot performance during competition.

Earlier this season, KUdos earned a Design Award for its engineering process and documentation. At the Gear Slingers Open, the team paired that approach with results in qualification matches, skills challenges, and elimination play, earning Excellence Award recognition.

Team members included:

Nathan Nguyen ‘26, B-Section Team Captain, Lead Designer & Fabricator, 24" Drive Coach, Pit Crew
Andrew Bolthouse ‘27, A-Section Team Captain, 15" Drive Coach, Technician
Mactar Gueye ‘30, Programmer, Designer, 24” Driver
Daniel Buddington ‘30, Pit Crew, 15” Driver

“Earning an Excellence Award for the second season in a row means a lot, especially this early in the season,” Nguyen said. “When we started KUdos in 2022, we had big goals, but we didn’t know how quickly we’d get there. Over the past four years, we’ve grown from building robots with very limited resources to developing a competitive team and establishing ourselves in the VEX-U community. Every year, our goal is to improve, even if it’s just a little, and earning this award shows how far we’ve come.”

Looking Ahead

The Gear Slingers Open marked KUdos’s second competition of the season as part of the collegiate schedule leading toward the VEX-U World Championship. With one competition remaining (January 31 at California Baptist University), the team continues its schedule ahead of the VEX-U World Championship.

911�� Robotics Center Awarded $20,000 GM Community Impact Grant

lmadaus — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 15:51:37 +0000

911�� Robotics Center Awarded $20,000 GM Community Impact Grant

Grants

Robotics

FIRST

Robotics Community Center

VEX

Robotics

lmadaus Thu, 01/08/2026 - 10:51

911�� has been awarded a $20,000 Community Impact Grant from General Motors to support robotics center programming that expands hands-on STEAM education opportunities for students in Flint and Genesee County.

The funding will support hands-on training for students and mentors involved in the university’s eight robotics teams, as well as participants in the 2026 Intro to Computer-Aided Fabrication course. Programming will include experiential learning with robotics and aerial drone technologies, providing students with direct opportunities to design, operate, and test advanced systems used in modern industries.

The grant also supports drone-focused activities that reflect growing real-world applications, including industrial inspection, logistics, and remote data collection, fields where automation and risk reduction are increasingly critical.

“Kettering’s robotics and drone programs are built around applied learning. Our students don’t just study technology, they use it,” said Kim Shumaker, Director of Kettering’s Robotics Outreach & Robotics Center. “Grants like these help ensure more students can access meaningful, hands-on STEAM experiences that connect directly to future careers.”

The award is part of a broader $300,000 Community Impact Grant investment distributed to nine Genesee County nonprofit organizations. Through the program, General Motors is supporting youth education and community-focused groups, including the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Flint, Factory Two, and the Flint Children’s Museum, to advance STEAM education and road safety initiatives across the region.

“Local nonprofits can do their best work when they have support from local businesses, and we’re thrilled to contribute to their amazing and tireless efforts,” said Theo Lavergne, General Motors Flint Assembly plant executive director, in a statement issued by the company.

GM’s Community Impact Grants are selected in collaboration with local General Motors and United Auto Workers leaders and are designed to strengthen educational access, workforce development, and community well-being across the Flint area.

Beyond the grant funding, General Motors reports that its Flint-area employees contributed nearly $225,000 in personal donations and more than 10,500 volunteer hours to local causes in 2025 through GM Cares.

“I love this program because it helps bring our communities together,” Lavergne said, “It supports growth and learning, and allows our team members to see the direct impact that their hands, minds, and hearts have in the areas where we live and work.”

Fueling the Future: Alumni Association Awards $27,500 to High School Robotics Teams

lmadaus — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 16:41:10 +0000

Fueling the Future: Alumni Association Awards $27,500 to High School Robotics Teams

lmadaus Tue, 01/06/2026 - 11:41

The 911��/GMI Alumni Association (KGMIAA) is backing the next generation of problem-solvers, announcing this week that it has awarded $27,500 in sponsorships to 55 high school robotics teams (FRC, FTC, and VEX). Teams applied from 16 different states.

This effort is part of a larger commitment by 911�� to support robotics talent nationwide, both on and off campus. From hosting pre-college camps and national competitions to awarding scholarships, Kettering is a recognized hub for students who begin their STEM journeys through robotics.

The initiative represents a strategic effort by the KGMIAA to directly support the University’s recruitment efforts. The sponsorships are funded through proceeds from the annual Major Sobey Golf Outing and the generous contributions of alumni and donors to the Boost Robotics Campaign.

These 55 teams are part of a broader national robotics ecosystem that includes thousands of FIRST, FTC, and VEX teams competing this season, many of whom will engage with Kettering through events, camps, and campus visits.

"We were truly impressed by the high quality of all applications this year," said Mike Dubeck '88, Chair of the KGMIAA Board Recruitment Committee.

This year, applicants had the option to submit a video instead of a traditional essay. According to the committee, this gave teams a chance to showcase their engineering mindset, team dynamics, and creative energy in a more personal and compelling way.

"It is inspiring to see the caliber of talent and dedication in these high school students," Dubeck said. "By supporting these teams, we are not just funding robots; we are investing in future engineers and leaders who we hope will one day call 911�� home."

The sponsored teams noted that the funds would be critical for competition success, with many planning to utilize the money for various needs, including paying for registration fees, covering travel expenses, and purchasing essential parts and equipment for their robots.

A Network of Mentors

Beyond the financial support, the campaign highlights the deep personal involvement of the University’s alumni network in STEM education. The committee reported that 112 Kettering/GMI alumni are currently actively involved with these high school teams, serving as mentors, coaches, and technical and programming advisors.

"The alumni engagement we’ve seen through robotics is phenomenal," said Eric Szczepanski, Director of Alumni Engagement at 911��. "To learn that over 100 of our alumni are out there right now, volunteering their time to mentor these students, speaks volumes about the Kettering spirit."

Szczepanski noted that this level of involvement serves as a powerful reminder that Kettering graduates are more than engineers. They’re mentors, leaders, and community builders.

The KGMIAA and 911�� wish all sponsored teams the best of luck in their upcoming competitions.

911�� Robotics Team Wins Design Award, Qualifies for VEX-U Worlds

lmadaus — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 15:11:24 +0000

911�� Robotics Team Wins Design Award, Qualifies for VEX-U Worlds

Robotics

lmadaus Thu, 12/18/2025 - 10:11

KUdos, 911��’s VEX-U robotics team, opened its competitive season with a strong showing at the Illini VURC Cornfield Clash 1, hosted at the Siebel Center for Design at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Competing against 12 university teams from across the Midwest and beyond, including Purdue University, The Ohio State University, and the Milwaukee School of Engineering, KUdos earned second place overall and secured a VEX-U Worlds qualification in its first event of the season.

Their robot pair, Luigi and Guido, named after the mechanics from the movie Cars, combined consistent on-field performance with a documented engineering process that stood out to judges.

The team also earned second place in Skills and was recognized with the Design Award, one of the most rigorous judged awards at VEX-U competitions.

Design Award Recognition

The Design Award recognizes excellence in the Engineering Design Process, team organization, and professional documentation. Judges evaluate teams on the quality and completeness of their Engineering Notebook, the clarity of their team interview, and how effectively students manage time, resources, and collaboration.

According to the award criteria, winning teams demonstrate:

A fully developed and well-organized Engineering Notebook
Clear documentation of the design process from concept through execution
Strong alignment between notebook content, robot design, and interview responses
Effective communication, teamwork, and professionalism
A student-centered approach to problem-solving and iteration

KUdos met all criteria, earning recognition for both technical rigor and presentation.

Team members included:

Nathan Nguyen ‘26, Team Captain, Design and Fabrication Lead, Drive Coach
Mactar Gueye ‘30, Programmer, Designer, Driver
Daniel Buddington ‘30, Pit Crew, Driver
William Tritremmel ‘30, Pit Crew, Human Player

With a tournament finalist finish, a Design Award win, and a Worlds qualification secured at their first event, the team now advances to VEX-U Worlds, where they will compete against top university teams from around the globe.

Ready for Launch: 911�� Prepares to Host the 2026 FIRST Robotics Competition Kickoff

lmadaus — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 14:45:52 +0000

Ready for Launch: 911�� Prepares to Host the 2026 FIRST Robotics Competition Kickoff

Robotics

FIRST

Robotics Community Center

lmadaus Thu, 12/11/2025 - 09:45

On January 10, 2026, 911�� will welcome hundreds of students and mentors to campus for the FIRST Robotics Competition Kickoff, the highly anticipated moment when teams from around the globe learn the new season's challenge and begin the intense process of designing and building their robots.

More than 54 teams will travel to Flint to watch the official reveal together and collect their Kit of Parts, the foundation for every robot they will build this season. The official game reveal will be streamed live on the FIRST Robotics Competition YouTube Channel for those who do not travel to a host site.

While the Kickoff marks the start of the engineering cycle, it also reunites the FIRST community. It is the first shared moment of the year: the return of familiar jokes, predictions about the new game, and the energy that comes from students seeing themselves as part of a far-reaching STEM movement.

For 911��, hosting Kickoff reflects a long-standing commitment to FIRST programs across Michigan. Thousands of students visit campus each year for robotics events, pre-college programs, training sessions, and team meetups—a relationship that connects young competitors with university-level tools, spaces, and mentorship.

FIRST Robotics Competition: A Foundation for Future Engineers

The FIRST Robotics Competition challenges high school students to design, build, and program industrial-style robots while developing the teamwork, communication, and engineering judgment essential to STEM careers. Guided by professional mentors, students learn to think strategically, collaborate under pressure, and solve complex problems with creativity and precision.

FIRST’s culture reinforces these skills. Gracious Professionalism encourages students to operate with integrity and respect, while Coopertition rewards collaboration even in competitive environments. Together, these principles help prepare students for careers in college, industry, and research.

More than 3,600 teams are expected to participate this season at district and regional events, culminating in the FIRST Championship this spring.

Kettering’s Role in Michigan’s Robotics Landscape

For over two decades, 911�� has played a pivotal role in advancing Michigan’s robotics ecosystem. The university hosts major FIRST and VEX events, provides development and gathering spaces for teams statewide, and offers youth robotics programs that introduce students to engineering well before college.

Kettering’s commitment extends far beyond campus. The Robotics Center and admission staff regularly visit high school build sites, attend competitions across the country, and volunteer at events throughout the season, including 19 competitions since September, with seven more planned before the end of February. The university has also broadened its outreach by sponsoring teams and events in Michigan and across the U.S., helping offset rising costs that challenge many programs. In 2025, Kettering awarded 88 Robotics Scholarships, with 85% of recipients enrolling, clear evidence of the university’s investment in students who begin their engineering journey through robotics.

Hosting the 2026 Kickoff continues this tradition. By welcoming students at the very start of the season, Kettering helps set the stage for months of collaboration, innovation, and problem-solving—and offers competitors a direct connection to an institution shaped by hands-on, industry-centered education.

Looking Toward the 2026 Season

Once the game is revealed, teams will begin brainstorming strategies, prototyping designs, and building the robots they will use in the competition. For many students, the next six weeks will shape not only their performance on the field, but also their academic and career aspirations.

911�� is proud to support those journeys—and to again serve as a launch point for Michigan’s FIRST community as the 2026 season begins.

January 2026 - Robotics Pre-college Camps Registration Opens
February 7, 2026 - Kitbot/Robot in 3 Days Competition for FIRST Robotics teams, 911�� Robotics Center
February 15, 2026 - Kettering Robotics Scholarship Application Deadline
February 16-26, 2026 - Kettering Robotics Scholarship Award Decisions (88 awarded in 2025)
March 1, 2026 - Week 0 Competition for FIRST Robotics teams, 911��
March 20-22, 2026 - 911�� is the Pit Sponsor for the FIM Kearsley District Event
April 10-12, 2026 - 911�� is the Pit Sponsor for the FIM Fenton District Event
April 16-18, 2026 - 911�� will exhibit in Scholarship Row at the FIRST in Michigan State Championship
April 29-May 2, 2026 - Kettering will participate in the Innovation Faire at the FIRST Championship in Houston, Texas
July 18-19, 2026 - All-Star Alliance Invitational for FIRST Robotics teams, 911�� Connie & Jim John Recreation Center
July 20-31, 2026 - Robotics camps for FIRST Robotics students, 911�� Robotics Center
September 12-13, 2026 - Kettering Kickoff 1 & 2 Off-season Competitions for FIRST Robotics teams, 911�� Connie & Jim John Recreation Center

Visit /robotics for more information as event dates approach.

Building Momentum: Kettering’s 2025 VEX Series Strengthens Michigan’s Robotics Pipeline

lmadaus — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 14:47:30 +0000

Building Momentum: Kettering’s 2025 VEX Series Strengthens Michigan’s Robotics Pipeline

lmadaus Thu, 12/04/2025 - 09:47

Over four weekends in November, hundreds of middle- and high-school competitors stepped into 911��’s Robotics Community Center ready to put months of refining designs, pushing code, and thinking like engineers to the test.

The 2025 VEX Robotics Tournament Series showcases Michigan’s brightest young innovators while reinforcing Kettering’s continued commitment to building the state’s next generation of STEM leaders.

While the series highlights student achievement, it also reflects 911��’s sustained investment in Michigan’s robotics ecosystem. Since 2015, Kettering has hosted VEX camps, workshops, and the Michigan VEX State Championship, helping young engineers connect with university labs and mentors.

The Game: Push Back

This year’s competition featured VEX V5 Robotics Push Back, a fast-paced game played on a 12x12-foot field. Teams of two robots work together to score points by moving and controlling blocks, completing tasks during a brief autonomous period, and navigating complex challenges under time pressure.

Push Back isn’t just about building a robot. It’s a test of creativity, problem-solving, teamwork, and focus. With a detailed rulebook guiding strategy and fair play, every match challenges students to think like engineers, adapt to changing conditions, and compete with both precision and imagination.

“The rule book, which is over 100 pages, is frequently updated and contains a level of complexity that mimics the conditions of a workplace,” said Kim Shumaker, the Director of Robotics Outreach & Robotics Center at Kettering. “Students are responsible for following all rules, just as employees are required to follow company and government policies. The experience prepares students to confidently enter and succeed in a STEM-focused workforce.”

The VEX Robotics Competition is overseen globally by the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (RECF), which engages with nearly half a million students annually across more than 3,600 events. The foundation’s focus, to provide competition, education, and workforce-readiness programs, complements 911��’s long-standing support of Michigan’s robotics and STEM talent pipeline. The organization is led by CEO and Kettering alumnus Dan Mantz, who has helped expand robotics education worldwide.

Hosting a series of tournaments enables teams to test their design and strategy and learn from rivals, directly fueling the iteration phase of the engineering process:

Costume Clash (Nov. 1) kicked off the series with creativity and confidence-building, letting students test early designs while having fun.
Fall Frenzy (Nov. 8) served as an iterative checkpoint, allowing teams to refine their performance and receive guidance from experienced mentors.
Bulldog Bash (Nov. 15) introduced full judging and digital engineering notebooks, encouraging students to document and defend their design decisions.
Gears & Gratitude (Nov. 22) closed the series with multiple State Championship-qualified teams competing, raising the level of competition and celebrating teamwork and community.

Together, the four events formed a developmental arc, helping students progress from initial concepts to competition-ready designs.

Push Back Tournament Awards

Costume Clash (Nov. 1)
- Tournament Champions:
  - 39R Serenity, Cranbrook Schools, Bloomfield Hills, MI
  - 39H HNS, Cranbrook Schools, Bloomfield Hills, MI
- Robot Skills Champion: 39R Serenity, Cranbrook Schools, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Fall Frenzy (Nov. 8)
- Tournament Champions:
  - 39W W, Cranbrook Schools, Bloomfield Hills, MI
  - 16610G Good Gravy, Techblazers, Richmond Hill, ON, Canada
- Robot Skills Champion: 16610X Cooking Goose, Techblazers, Richmond Hill, ON, Canada
Bulldog Bash (Nov. 15)
- Tournament Champions:
  - 7760X Airplane Mode, Seed Seek Robotics, Bloomfield Hills, MI
  - 39Y Yolt, Cranbrook Schools, Bloomfield Hills, MI
- Robot Skills Champion: 7760X Airplane Mode, Seed Seek Robotics, Bloomfield Hills, MI
- Excellence Award: 7760X Airplane Mode, Seed Seek Robotics, Bloomfield Hills, MI
- Design Award: 39Y Yolt, Cranbrook Schools, Bloomfield Hills, MI
- Innovate Award: 4911X SayHelloToMyLittleFriend, Robo-Tech Zone of Michiana, Dowagiac, MI
- Judges Award: 39B Daily Silksong News, Cranbrook Schools, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Gears & Gratitude (Nov. 22)
- Tournament Champions:
  - 1829A Phantom, Independent, Troy, MI
  - 7760X Airplane Mode, Seed Seek Robotics, Bloomfield Hills, MI
- Robot Skills Champion: 40684D Griffilicious, Napoleon High School, Napoleon, MI
- Excellence Award (High School): 39R Serenity, Cranbrook Schools, Bloomfield Hills, MI
- Excellence Award (Middle School): 1829A Phantom, Independent, Troy, MI
- Design Award: 39Y Yolt, Cranbrook Schools, Bloomfield Hills, MI
- Innovate Award: 7760X Airplane Mode, Seed Seek Robotics, Bloomfield Hills, MI
- Judges Award: 1997B Rolling With Porpoise, Chatfield School, Lapeer, Michigan

Looking Ahead

From the playful creativity of Costume Clash to the mastery on display at Gears & Gratitude, the 2025 VEX Series reinforced Kettering’s position as a major sponsor, mentor, and host in Michigan’s robotics community. 911�� looks forward to hosting the 2026 Michigan VEX State Championship, February 27-28, 2026, sponsored by Consumers Energy.

911�� VEX U Team Claims Top Honors at the 2025 VEX AI Robotics Competition Championship

rnorris — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 17:01:14 +0000

911�� VEX U Team Claims Top Honors at the 2025 VEX AI Robotics Competition Championship

Clubs and Organizations

rnorris Wed, 06/18/2025 - 13:01

At 911��, robotics isn’t just a competition — it’s a proving ground for innovation. Kettering’s VEX U team, KUdos, showcased their abilities at the 2025 VEX AI Robotics Competition Championship in Houston, where they brought home the prestigious Excellence Award and the Energy Award.

VEX AI is a step beyond the standard VEX U world competition, challenging teams to design robots that compete entirely autonomously. This year, KUdos rose to the challenge, and then some, achieving an undefeated record in all qualification matches and earning the No. 1 ranking among collegiate teams.

The VEX AI awards come on the heels of a top showing at the VEX Worlds competition in May, where the team brought home the Innovate Award. The award recognizes teams whose engineering approach challenges convention and advances the game.

“We Built the Complete Package”

“Winning the Excellence Award is the culmination of everything we’ve worked toward,” said Nathan Nguyen ’26, mechanical engineering major and team captain. “It’s not just about building a robot; it’s about engineering, strategy, documentation, and collaboration, the complete package that defines a championship team.”

The Excellence Award stands as one of the highest honors in VEX AI competitions, recognizing overall excellence across both judged categories and on-field performance. Criteria include a fully developed engineering notebook, demonstration of independent inquiry, strong interviews, student-centered ethos, and consistently ranking in the top 40% in Qualification Matches, Robot Skills, and Autonomous Coding Skills Challenges. KUdos’ dedication to thorough documentation, innovative engineering, and teamwork earned them this coveted distinction.

A Team That Powers the Event

Beyond technical achievements, KUdos brought unmatched enthusiasm and energy to the competition, earning the Energy Award. This award recognizes teams that maintain a high level of excitement throughout the event, enriching the experience for everyone involved.

“Everywhere we went, people wanted to talk about our robots,” said Connor O’Keefe ’25, computer science major and strategy lead for the team. “It wasn’t just about us. It was about inspiring others and sharing the passion we have for robotics.”

Nguyen added, “Our team has always been about bringing energy and positivity, whether we’re answering questions from younger competitors or cheering on other teams. Winning the Energy Award was a reminder that robotics is as much about community as it is about competition.”

Redefining the Game

This season, KUdos made history with a groundbreaking design: “Rafiki” and “Simba”, two robots operating as one throughout an entire match. “That idea came up early in the season,” Nguyen said. “No one’s done it in any VEX high school, university, or AI competition before, and it changed the way we approached the game.”

Their “strategy dictates design” philosophy shaped every decision. “We don’t innovate just to stand out,” O’Keefe explained. “Every idea is a deliberate choice to support our game plan and make sure we lead the competition.”

Engineering Excellence and Emotional Milestones

KUdos’ season included Innovate Awards at every competition they entered, culminating in another at Worlds. “One of our mentors called 'Rafiki' and 'Simba’ the definition of world-level Innovate robots months in advance,” Nguyen said. “Seeing that prediction come true was unforgettable.”

This championship also marked O’Keefe’s final season with KUdos. “When we received the Innovate Award at VEX U Worlds, I saw Connor cry tears of joy,” Nguyen recalled. “We’ve built this team together over three years, late nights, big ideas, even arguments turned into breakthroughs. I’m going to miss him dearly.”

Powered by Kettering’s Co-Op Advantage

KUdos’ success is a testament to Kettering’s hands-on, experiential learning. “My Co-Op in program management taught me how to lead cross-disciplinary teams,” O’Keefe, who has Co-opped with MAHLE in Troy, MI, said. “That experience was invaluable in building a winning robotics team.”

Nguyen agreed. “Kettering’s Co-Op program lets me work back home in California while continuing to innovate and compete on campus,” he said. “It’s hands-on, paid experience that gives us an edge.” Nguyen ‘26, a Cypress, CA native, made the decision to complete his Co-op assignment closer to home at RadiaBeam in Santa Monica, CA.

Other members of the team leverage a variety of Co-op experiences. Katee Callicutt ‘27, a mechanical engineering major, found Co-op work in her hometown of Greenville, SC, at Magna Seating on its BMW account. A.J. Martinek ‘28, a computer science major from Berrien Springs, also found Co-op work with Magna, but in the New Mobility division in Troy, MI. Andrew Bolthouse ‘27, an engineering major from Hudsonville, MI, has completed Co-op rotations at Bissell Homecare. Adreiana Lippolis ‘28, a computer science major from Linden, MI, has spent time working at Ford Motor Company. Chris Schutter ‘28, a mechanical engineering student from Jenison, MI, works for Bradford White Corporation in Middleville, MI, while Cameron Smith ‘28, a mechanical engineering student from Grass Lake, MI, works at Eaton Corp. in Jackson, MI.

What’s Next?

As KUdos looks ahead, their mission is clear: raise the bar again. “Every year, our mantra is: how do we go further?” Nguyen said. “At Kettering, we’re not just building robots. We’re building a mindset that drives innovation and redefines what’s possible. With the momentum of our first-year success in VEX AI, we’re more driven than ever to push the boundaries of innovation and explore what’s truly possible through this competition.”

Robotics

Students Test Competition Robots Weeks Before the Season at 911������

KUdos Closes Regular Season with Excellence Award, Turns Focus to VEX-U World Championship

Student Teams Earn Top Honors at the January Jetstream Jam, an RECF Aerial Drone Competition

KUdos Builds Momentum at Gear Slingers Open on the Road to VEX-U Worlds

911������ Robotics Center Awarded $20,000 GM Community Impact Grant

Fueling the Future: Alumni Association Awards $27,500 to High School Robotics Teams

911������ Robotics Team Wins Design Award, Qualifies for VEX-U Worlds

Ready for Launch: 911������ Prepares to Host the 2026 FIRST Robotics Competition Kickoff

Building Momentum: Kettering’s 2025 VEX Series Strengthens Michigan’s Robotics Pipeline

911������ VEX U Team Claims Top Honors at the 2025 VEX AI Robotics Competition Championship

“We Built the Complete Package”

A Team That Powers the Event

Redefining the Game

Engineering Excellence and Emotional Milestones

Powered by Kettering’s Co-Op Advantage

What’s Next?

Students Test Competition Robots Weeks Before the Season at 911��

911�� Robotics Center Awarded $20,000 GM Community Impact Grant

911�� Robotics Team Wins Design Award, Qualifies for VEX-U Worlds

Ready for Launch: 911�� Prepares to Host the 2026 FIRST Robotics Competition Kickoff

911�� VEX U Team Claims Top Honors at the 2025 VEX AI Robotics Competition Championship