Every milestone, challenge, and breakthrough that shaped who we are
MasterMinds #30458 was officially established with a clear mission: to compete at the highest level of FTC while building a culture of innovation and continuous learning. We started with ambition, determination, and a lot to prove.
We spent the first week analyzing the game manual, identifying key scoring opportunities, and developing multiple strategic approaches. This phase taught us the importance of thorough game analysis.
After weeks of CAD design, material selection, and fabrication, we completed our first working prototype. It wasn't perfect, but it moved, scored, and gave us a baseline to iterate from.
Started developing autonomous routines using computer vision and encoder-based navigation. The learning curve was steep, but each small success built our confidence.
Our intake mechanism catastrophically failed during testing. This was a turning point - we learned that failure isn't the end, it's feedback. We went back to the drawing board with renewed focus.
Competed at our first qualifier. We didn't win, but we learned more in those six hours than in months of practice. Every match, every alliance, every setback was a lesson in real-time problem solving.
Based on competition feedback, we redesigned 60% of the robot. Improved drivetrain, more reliable scoring mechanisms, and better weight distribution. Version 2.0 was taking shape.
Redesigned our intake and scoring mechanism with a new approach that improved cycle time by 40%. This innovation became the foundation of our competitive advantage.
With our improved robot, we climbed to 6th place and earned our first award nomination. The hard work, late nights, and constant iteration were paying off.
We're preparing for our next competition and continuing to refine our systems. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities to grow. This is just the beginning of our journey.