Bruce Power official impressed with Kinetic Knights robot during tour of shop

The Kinetic Knights Robotics Team (FRC Team 781) of Kincardine is set to embark on its second FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) competition this weekend in Windsor, and has been doing some last-minute fine-tuning on the robot.

Tuesday afternoon, the team welcomed to the shop, James Scongack, chief operating officer and executive vice-president of operational services at Bruce Power, one of the team’s title sponsors.

Scongack had a first-hand look at the robot, “Dignan,” designed and built for this year’s challenge, “Reefscape,” in which it must place coral on a reef, remove algae from the reef, and climb a cage at the end of a match. During each match, the robot is in an alliance with two other robots, working together to complete the challenge.

While he was impressed with the robot, Scongack was also pleased to have a tour of the shop on Lambton Street, Kincardine, where the team members learn a variety of skills, including the proper use of hand-tools, a mill and lathe, and training on computer-aided design (CAD), as well as administration skills, such as drawing up business plans, marketing and fund-raising, and public-speaking.

The Kinetic Knights brought home a Finalist Award from their first Ontario District competition at Centennial College in Scarborough, March 6-8, as well as the Autonomous Award. The team is now focused on bringing home a banner from the District event in Windsor this weekend, advancing to the Ontario Championships in Mississauga, April 2-5, and making it to the World Championships in Houston, Texas, April 16-19.

To that end, the team has been seeking sponsorship and support for the trip to the worlds which is expected to cost more than $115,000.

For more information, contact lead mentor, David Dadson, at dcdadson@live.com, or check the team’s website at www.kineticknights.org.