Poseidon Powers Adirondack Robotics Team

The ACS RoboCats, the Adirondack’s First Tech Challenge (FTC) robotics team, demonstrated determination and ingenuity at the Excelsior Qualifying Event held at Broadalbin-Perth on Sunday, January 26th. Competing in this year’s challenge, “Into the Deep,” the team’s robot, named Poseidon, tackled complex tasks inspired by underwater exploration.  

The FTC “Into the Deep” challenges teams with designing and programming robots capable of navigating unique underwater-inspired scenarios. Teams are judged on their robot’s performance, engineering design, and collaborative strategies during matches.

This marked the RoboCats’ second and final tournament of the season, and they delivered an impressive performance. The competition was divided into two phases: the qualifying rounds and the double-elimination playoff round.

In the qualifying rounds, the RoboCats finished with a strong record of 4-1, placing 6th overall. Their standout moment came when they partnered with the GorillaBots from Corning to post the highest score of the qualifying round.

Advancing to the playoff phase, the RoboCats entered the intense double-elimination bracket. Despite fierce competition, the team reached the semifinals of the lower bracket, ultimately finishing their day in Match #9, just shy of advancing to the regional championships.

While this was the final official event of the season for the RoboCats, the team is excited to continue their robotics journey. They plan to host informal events and collaborations with local schools to share their passion for STEAM and robotics.

The RoboCats extend heartfelt thanks to their sponsors, whose support has been instrumental in their success. Otis Technology generously provided team shirts, while Luigi’s Pizzeria contributed funds for parts and materials. Without their support, the team’s journey wouldn’t have been possible.

The ACS RoboCats are proud to represent their school and community, showcasing their STEAM skills and teamwork at these prestigious events. With the spirit of Poseidon driving them forward, the RoboCats look forward to inspiring others through upcoming local activities and initiatives.