ROBOT HISTORY
Our primary goal is to build competitive robots.
Check out the robots we have built over the years!
YEAR: 2024
Game: Crescendo
Robot: Max Quordlepleen
What will “Max” look like and how well will he perform on the FIRST stage???
Time to make some MUSIC!
YEAR: 2023
Game: Charged Up!
Robot: Lunkwill
After years of debate, The Hitchhikers are finally going with a swerve drive. We procured four MK4i swerve drive modules during the off-season and spent time getting the software and controls working. Once the 2023 challenge was announced, the team was excited to work with newfound flexibility in maneuvering our robot. We also mounted an extendable arm designed to pick up and place cones and cubes, and meticulously engineered our robot to succeed at competitions. As a gritty and young team, we seek to push the boundaries of our imaginations, and adjust to whatever problems come our way. Similar to Lunkwill from HG2G, we seek to question deep thought and establish new solutions to whatever comes our way. Time to get #ChargedUp!.
2022
GAME: Rapid React
ROBOT NAME: Baube Breeblbox
After 2 years of no competitions, The Hitchhikers created Baube to collect balls from the ground and shoot them into a hoop and climb a set of parallel bars at different heights.
End up in the second alliance and placed second at the NC Finals. So close to having enough points to go to the World Competition.
YEAR: 2021
GAME: Infinite Recharge
ROBOT NAME: Marvin 2.1
This was a completely “at home” year, with no actual competitions against other robots. We spent our time on getting path following to work.
We are VERY VERY ready to get back on the field and play with and against other teams.
YEAR: 2020
GAME: Infinite Recharge
ROBOT NAME: Marvin 2.0
Picking up soft foam balls and shooting them in to targets in the wall.
After 1 competition, the world shut down.
Which was very sad for us, as we had a robot with a rotating turret and automatic targeting. (Our robot caught a cold.)
We packed up everything, and waited.
YEAR: 2019
GAME: Destination: Deep Space
ROBOT NAME: Deep Thought
Picking up big balls and putting them in to boxes.
End game was climbing up on to a platform.
YEAR: 2018
GAME: First Power Up
ROBOT NAME: Grunthos
Picking up big cubes and stacking them.
YEAR: 2017
GAME: First Steamworks
ROBOT NAME: Slartibartfast
Picking up yellow whiffle balls and firing them into holes.
Lot’s of fun oin 2017!
YEAR: 2016
GAME: First Stronghold
ROBOT NAME: Ford
Picking up balls and shooting them in to baskets.
YEAR: 2015
GAME: Recycle Rush
ROBOT NAME: Dent
Picking up big boxes and stacking them high, with trash cans and pool noodles.
YEAR: 2014
GAME: Aerial Assist
ROBOT NAME: Zaphod
Picking up REALLY BIG balls and throwing them.
YEAR: 2013
GAME: Ultimate Ascent
ROBOT NAME: Trillian
This year, we asked the robot to throw frisbees and climb a tower. Boy was it good at it’s job. Trillian grew up to be a ring-bearer at an alumni’s wedding. As of 2023, Trillian is still being used for demos.
YEAR: 2012
GAME: Rebound Rumble
ROBOT NAME: Benjy
This was a new year for us.
YEAR: 2011
GAME: Logo Motion
ROBOT NAME: Marvin
Year 1 for the Hitchhikers.
YEAR: 2010
GAME: Breakaway
ROBOT NAME: ??
The team was called the “Awkward Turtles”
YEAR: 2009
GAME: Lunacy
ROBOT NAME: Zippy
he team was called the “Awkward Turtles”
YEAR: 2008
GAME: First Overdrive
ROBOT NAME: xx
The team was called the “Awkward Turtles”
YEAR: 2007
GAME: Rack ‘n’ Roll
ROBOT NAME: xx
Our debut.
YEAR: 2006
GAME: Aim High
ROBOT NAME: no robot
Didn’t compete – charging our batteries for next year.