Advanced RMIT Competitive Robotics

As the founder of Advanced RMIT Competitive Robotics (ARCR), I established and led an 80+ member multidisciplinary engineering team through multiple requirements-led robot design-build-test cycles. What started as a vision to create a competitive robotics program quickly grew into a comprehensive engineering initiative that operated under strict budget constraints while delivering championship-winning results.

Photo by Kevin Chen

The journey began with establishing the foundational structure of the organization. I led the team through complete design cycles, starting with CAD-based mechanical design where we produced manufacturable assemblies and technical drawings. Each robot design required careful consideration of weight limits, material selection, and manufacturability—balancing performance with the reality of our budget constraints.

Photo by Kevin Chen

One of the most critical aspects of my leadership was ensuring system integration across mechanical, electrical, and software disciplines. I created comprehensive requirements documents to ensure compliance with competition specifications, establishing clear interfaces between subsystems. This systematic approach prevented integration issues that could derail entire projects.

The electronics design presented unique challenges. I designed robot electronics including power distribution systems and motor control circuits, supporting PCB development from initial schematics through layout and fabrication. These custom electronics boards were essential for reliable operation under the extreme conditions of competitive robotics competitions.

Testing became a continuous cycle of iteration and refinement. I conducted iterative bench testing to validate individual components, followed by live testing in controlled environments. Each test revealed new insights that drove design improvements, gradually building system reliability through methodical failure analysis and rapid prototyping.

Photo by Kevin Chen

The results spoke for themselves. We won competitions, secured sponsorships from industry partners, and delivered workshops to both industry professionals and high school students through STEM outreach programs. The success of the program attracted collaboration opportunities with teams from prestigious institutions including MIT, Purdue, Duke, Carnegie Mellon, and Caltech.

Photo by Kevin Chen

Photo by Kevin Chen

This project wasn't just about building robots—it was about building engineers. Through multiple design cycles, I guided students through the complete engineering lifecycle, from concept ideation to live competition testing. The emphasis on iterative design, failure analysis, and rapid prototyping mirrored professional engineering workflows, preparing team members for careers in industry.