Entering the Canopy: BioBuzz
This season, FIRST challenges K-12 students to look to nature for inspiration. Under the global theme of **FIRST® CANOPY™**, this year's FTC game is **BIOBUZZ™**, challenging teams to engineer robots that mimic biodiversity ecosystems.
About the Game
In the **BIOBUZZ™** arena, our robot must rapidly retrieve, handle, and score Pollen (specialized 3-inch plastic scoring balls) from the foam field tiles and retrieve them from field walls and corners. The gameplay challenges teams to maintain speed, precision intake control, and autonomous accuracy.
3-inch diameter plastic Pollen balls scattered across the arena floor.
Using FIRST Skill Builders to practice active intake and precision autonomous pathing.
Our Goals & Plans
Omnidirectional Mecanum Drive Base
Our chassis has been fully upgraded to a 4-motor Mecanum configuration. This gives the robot perfect lateral movement, allowing us to strafe into corners to retrieve Pollen balls and pivot instantly during high-traffic matches.
Active Flap Intake System
To handle the 3-inch Pollen balls, we are designing a custom 3D-printed active intake roller featuring rubber squeegee flaps. This design grips and sucks the Pollen from the floor at high speeds without jams.
Autonomous Ecosystem Strategy
Using Rev Hub encoders and a webcam, our code team is building a computer-vision algorithm to locate pre-loaded Pollen and score them automatically in the initial 30-second autonomous phase.
Our Generous Sponsors
Funding parts, tools, and travel to State Championships. Thank you for making our season possible!
RTX
Supporting STEM Education
Apex Machine Works
Supporting STEM Education
Mavs Alumni STEM Foundation
Supporting STEM Education
School District STEM Alliance
Supporting STEM Education
Want to Support the Mecha Mavs?
We are actively seeking local community partners to support our material fees and travel costs. Sponsoring our team helps inspire middle school students to pursue careers in engineering and software development.
Become a Sponsor →