PCEC News
GVSU Hosts Robot in 3 Days Competition
February 15, 2022
Grand Valley State University (GVSU) kicked-off the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) 2022 season on Saturday, February 12, 2022 by hosting a Robot in 3 Days (Ri3D) competition at the Innovation Design Center. Ri3D participants are typically college FIRST Robotics alumni groups. The purpose of Ri3D competitions is to re-engage FIRST alumni who are now college students in the sport they so loved as high-schoolers and to also inspire high school teams.
Six teams participated in Saturday’s event with representation from five college-level teams (University of Michigan (U of M), Michigan State University, Kettering, and two teams from the MEZ (Michigan Engineering Zone, which is funded by U of M)), and one high school team, The Freeland Fabricators (FRC Team 5166). The Freeland Fabricators welcomed the opportunity to compete their robot against the college students and their participation allowed the competition to have two even alliances. They even came in second for ranking points!
Footage from Saturday’s Ri3D event can be viewed on YouTube by searching FACC Ri3D Competition Rapid React 2022. Tyler Olds, Chief of FIRST Updates Now, says the footage will be viewed by high school teams from around the country.
Up next for FIRST Robotics at Grand Valley State University is the opportunity for high school teams to test and improve their robots using the open practice field on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus. The full-size, climbable field is available weeknights and weekends on a first come, first served basis. Interested teams should contact Sara Maas, PCEC Outreach Coordinator, at [email protected] for more information.
GVSU will also be hosting a Week 4 West Michigan District competition at the Fieldhouse on the Allendale Campus from March 24-26, 2022. Details on the event, including a master schedule, can be found at https://firstinmichigan.us/FRC/west-mich/. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public.
Visit the PCEC Photo Gallery featuring photos from the event!