Role:
Participant
Quick Facts:
∎ Selected as one of 30 teams worldwide to compete in the pilot VEX AI program at Innovation First International Headquarters (IFI) in Greenville, Texas.
∎ Awarded the Excellence Award, the event’s highest accolade, recognizing top performance in both judged and competitive categories.
∎ Competed in the inaugural fully autonomous robotics category, tackling groundbreaking challenges in AI-driven systems.
∎ Collaborated with IFI’s CTO, Bob Mimlitch, receiving valuable feedback and insights on pioneering robotics technologies.
The 2021 VEX AI World Championship marked the debut of a revolutionary robotics category, focused on full autonomy. Selected from thousands of teams globally, we were among the first to navigate the complexities of this pilot program. Winning the Excellence Award—the highest recognition at the event—underscored our ability to adapt and innovate under new competitive frameworks. Competing at IFI’s headquarters, the very birthplace of the VEX platform, was an unparalleled experience. Meeting IFI’s visionary CTO, Bob Mimlitch, and receiving his direct feedback elevated the event beyond competition, making it a moment of collaboration and learning with one of the architects of modern robotics.
Participating in the pilot VEX AI program demanded mastery of advanced concepts in autonomous systems. The challenges of a nascent platform required creative problem-solving and continuous iteration, pushing our skills to new heights. The experience laid the groundwork for our later dominance in the VEX AI category, positioning us as pioneers in autonomous robotics. More than a competition, the event was a proving ground for what was possible, shaping not just our team’s trajectory but also the future of AI-driven robotics in education and innovation.
