| Abstract Scope |
Competitive Robotics such as World Robotics League (WRL), World Robotics Olympiad (WRO), FIRST programs such as FTC and FRC etc. have recently evolved as an avenue for learning, innovation and providing real life perspective to classroom learning. Given the short duration for Robot Development and diverse range of challenges, innovation and product development has to happen at fast pace. Typical challenges include stow, configure, launch, travere 3D environment, sorting, assembe etc. Many challenges include underwater and aerial spaces. Participants typically use reconfigurable “Robotics Kits”. However, "Robotics Kits" are limited in many ways and do not go beyond mobile platform and simple mechanisms. Many participants are turning to quicker alternatives such as Solid Freeform Fabrication. This paper provides a current state of the Competitive Robotics, the existing solutions and examples of how Solid Freeform Fabrication is accelerating innovation in competitive robotics. |