‘Wildbots’ robotics team going to world competition

 The world is waiting on the Kentucky Wildbots.

The robotics team made up of six students from Knox County and three from Corbin earned a wildcard spot in the First Robotics Competition thanks to a successful performance at the regional competition in Knoxville, Tenn.

Academic Sponsor Arthur Canada said the robot has arrived in St. Louis courtesy of FedEx.

“They are one of the major sponsors, so they shipped all of the robots for free,” Canada said, noting he has confirmed delivery.

The next step is getting the team to St. Louis.

Canada said the Wildbots will leave for St. Louis Tuesday, driving in a UK Extension Service van.

The competition, which involves 600 teams, from the U.S. Canada, Israel, China, Australia and Great Britain, among others, begins Wednesday and wraps up April 25.

Canada said through a series of donations  area businesses and organizations, the team has raised the funds for travel and lodging.

The students are responsible for their meals and spending money.

“It would be nice to pull some money together so the kids can experience a little bit while on the trip and eat something beyond Big Macs,” Canada said, noting one of the things he would like to do is take the students to the top of the St. Louis Arch.

Canada said in this fifth year for the program, the regional competition taught him and the team a lot that could benefit them at the world competition.

One issue they were forced to deal with was the placement of the robot’s battery and the affect it had on the robot’s balance as it began picking up and moving the plastic totes.

“We had the battery strapped on the back using an aluminum strap,” Canada explained. On the very first practice match, officials told us we had to move it inside the robot.”

Moving the battery about three inches threw off the balance of the robot.

“We were walking around on tip-toes when the robot was carrying the totes,” Canada said.

That problem has been resolved thanks to an offer of assistance from another Kentucky team.

The team from Murray sent the Wildbots a Kevlar case for the battery that allowed them to return the battery to its original location and restore the balance on the robot.

“We learned a lot there, but 600 other teams have learned a lot during their regional competitions,” Canada said.

The Wildbots will begin the competition, which is being held at Edward Jones Dome, on one of eight fields. After a day-and-a-half of qualifying matches, the finals will begin.

“I want to be competitive,” Canada said when asked what he wants the team to accomplish.

A demonstration of this year’s competition may be viewed online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uuu7oQpUuX0

The Lynn Camp FIRST Robotics Team is a tax-exempt program, meaning donations are tax deductible.

Anyone who would like to make a donation may contact Canada at 528-5429, 524-6029 or by email at arthur.canada@knox.kyschools.us