Who We Are

Hello, we are FIRST™ Tech Challenge team 20381 Killer Instinct, based in Simi Valley, California. We are an ambitious and dedicated group of high school students from Santa Susana High School, passionate about robotics, engineering, and innovation.

Founded in 2021, Killer Instinct A is a student-run team participating in FIRST Tech Challenge, an international robotics competition that encourages students to gain first-hand experience in the engineering field and compete head-to-head with other students.

Our Achievements

• 14 - 1 Record during Qualifications
• Second Place Inspire Award
• League Champions
• 4-1 Record during Regionals
• Top 20 in SoCal State Championships
• First Place Innovate Award

Our Upcoming Project

We have begin to begin preparing for our upcoming season, FTC Decode, starting with our new chassis, designed from the ground up to be compact, feature dense, and reduce errors. Currently, it is just a prototype, and subject to change when the game is announced, however we don't expect the core chassis to change significantly.

Misumi Vertical Extension System

Using SAR 330 Misumi drawer slides mounted vertically, we have created an enclosed extension system. It uses one continuous string of Kevlar that is spooled into an Up-string and a Down-string. This allows the slides to extend when the spool spins, and causes it to retract when the spool spins the opposite way. Since we also have a Down-string, the slides can exert a down force, meaning the robot can actually pull itself up (a commonplace in FTC Season Games). This is where our outtake system will be mounted when the game launches.

Studica Robotics Horizontal Extension System

On each side, we have 3 Studica 280mm drawer slides mounted horizontally. Instead of using strings to actuate its movement, we use 2 powerful Axon MAX servos, each with a torque of 3.3 N*m of torque, to move a special linkage assembly. Since the load on this assembly will be minimal, these servos are more than enough for a snappy movement. This is where out intake system will be mounted when the game launches.

GoBilda Pinpoint Odometry

Each season, there is a special autonomous mode before the main game starts. During this time, the robot has to perform everything by itself. To aid with the robot's motion, we use a special odometry solution known as Pinpoint. By using what are known as drop-pods, special encoders mounted on wheels are pushed into the ground by the robot. When the robot moves, these wheels move, and the robot can measure the change in its X and Y location (both pods are mounted 90° to each other). This, paired with an integrated Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), also measures the robot's change in angle and acceleration. A special library known as Pedro Pathing is able to take this data in, and generate movement paths with tuned data from the pods and IMU, as well as course correction data should the robot hit something. This allows for crazy autonomous movement thanks to special Mecanum wheels from GoBilda that allow for lateral movement.

Here is a video of our autonomous programming from our previous season.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/11z-znV9_2R7hZhgTbzpjbUQpIhA8m_4p/view

One major new addition to our chassis this year is the addition of custom 4mm thick 6061 Aluminum side plating. Not only does this provide a sturdy canvas for new additions and modules, it allows for our complex tank drive wheel system. This means we can have our drive motors close to the center of our robot, and to the Mecanum wheels through a 5 mm timing belt. These hopefully will be manufactured by PCBWay.

Words to PCBWay

Here on Killer Instinct, we are also looking for ways to push the boundaries in FTC Robotics and engineering for High Schoolers. Everything that we do, and have learning, has been on our own. From our 3D modelling, to our coding, everything is student driven, including this message. We are actively looking for companies that are able to sponsor us in any form, whether it be providing services, advice, or funds. Everything goes into our work, and towards a great cause.

In past years we have been limited to basic additive manufacturing like 3D printing. We hope to use PCBWay gain access to custom metal parts, whether it be for our side plating, small parts, or intake prototypes. PCBWay's support would help to facilitate the new generation of youth engineers, and help to expand our horizons.

If you have any questions for us, please feel free to email us at SSHSRoboticsClub@gmail.com, and if you want to see more, this is just the tip of the iceberg. We have too many cool developments to show off here, so be sure to email us so we can show off more! Thank you for your time,

Best regards,

20381 Killer Instinct

• 3d printing
• robotics