With the Minnesota 10,000 Lakes Regional Competition weeks away, the robotics team works to make sure its robot is ready to face over 100 other teams.

This year’s medieval-style theme is called First Stronghold, according to sophomore robotics member George Hare.

“You have to cross defenses that are supposed to be castle walls and attack things that are like castles by throwing basically dodgeballs at them,” Hare said.  

Hare said the team finished the base of the robot, and now works on programming it.

New strategies for success should help the team at competition, according to Hare.

“We are going forward with a design process that’s different than we’ve ever done before, making it more realistic to the real world and how engineering works in the real world,” Hare said. “We’re also making two robots so we have a chance to practice and refine our building before we go to the final competition.”

The team has already faced some challenges, such as running out of money, according to senior member Clara Slade.

According to Hare, one way the team raises funds is through donors on its website, but the team continues to struggle to raise enough.

Hare said the team needs funds to continue building the robot.

“Our plan is lots of fundraising and contacting businesses. We have a sponsorship program where we provide advertising so we’re going to contact them about that too,” Hare said.   

The 10,000 Lakes Regional Competition takes place April 6-9 at the University of Minnesota.