​Kinetic Knights ready to dig into FIRST robotics "Rebuilt" challenge

The Kinetic Knights Robotics Team (FRC Team 781) is getting ready to dig into the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) 2026 challenge, "Rebuilt."

Revealed Saturday during kick-off, held at the Kincardine Legion, this year’s challenge is based on archaeology and requires the robot to shoot balls (fuel) into a centre goal at certain times during the game, as well as drive over a ramp and duck under a beam to get to the other side of the field. It must then climb a tower at the end.

The match features two alliances (each made up of three robotics teams) competing, and the alliance that scores the highest number of points wins the game.



This year’s FIRST robotics challenge is called “Rebuilt;” video courtesy of FIRST

With the help of their mentors, the Kinetic Knights now have about eight weeks to design, build and program a robot to meet the “Rebuilt” challenge.

The rest of Saturday afternoon was spent brainstorming and then going through the motions of a mock game, with the team members acting as the robots and the game pieces.

The team has registered for two competitions – the first one in mid-March in Oshawa and the second one in early April in Windsor. If the Kinetic Knights qualify, they would then advance to the provincial championships in Niagara Falls in mid-April.

Kinetic Knights Robotics is a community youth robotics organization, open to young people, ages 13-19, in Kincardine. Currently, there are about 15 members and 10 mentors who focus on various aspects of team-building, as well as constructing a robot to enter in FIRST competitions.

For more information or to sponsor the team, contact lead mentor, David Dadson, at dcdadson@live.com.