Week 4

Week 4 Update – Team 4909: Progress Continues!
As we head into Week 5, Team 4909 is more focused than ever. Each subteam is making significant strides, and we’re one step closer to being competition-ready.

Software Team:
The Software Team has been hard at work this week, making exciting progress on auto-alignment. The robot is now able to autonomously line up perfectly with the center of the field’s reef, setting us up for smoother and faster scoring. They have also been refining the auto-align system to target individual nodes (Rods that stick out of the reef for coral scoring) on the reef, ensuring that we can consistently score with pinpoint accuracy. Through many trials and errors with practice the camera placement has been tuned for optimal vision, and new autos for scoring coral and manipulating algae to enhance our performance during the autonomous portion of the match.

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Mechanical Team:
The Mechanical Team continued to push forward with design and testing. They have been working on a new algae intake prototype, experimenting with different designs to ensure maximum efficiency in collecting game pieces. Additionally, they have been testing a prototype deep climb (Lifting the robot on the deep cage enough to get the robot off the floor)  mechanism, a critical component for endgame performance. With each iteration, the team is getting closer to the ideal setup for both gameplay and reliability.

Operations Team:
On the Operations side, the team has been busy preparing award submissions, preparing for the team's future, and connecting with and collaborating with teams from around the world. They have also been crafting Woodie Flowers Award Essay to highlight a mentor and their significant positive impact on the team’. Meanwhile, they’ve continued updating the team website with our current sponsors to recognize them as an appreciation to our team. The team has also revisited the old 5-year plan for the robotics program, beginning the process of writing a new one to guide the team into the future.

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Looking Ahead:
With the first four weeks behind us, we’re moving into Week 5 with a strong foundation. The progress we’ve made in design, testing, and team operations is already paying off. We’re on track to put everything together for an incredible competition run, and we can’t wait to see what we accomplish next!
Onward to Week 5!