A team of robotics experts at Bracebridge Muskoka Lakes High School performed well at a tournament.
At an event held at Nipissing University in North Bay last weekend, the BML squad took on a challenge given to all teams by Robotics Canada.
It requires teams to create robots and software programs that will complete the challenge that typically involves the placement of objects, climbing and other difficult moves.
Then at competitions teams go head-to-head in timed events.
BML had six students and three mentors at the North Bay event, the smallest team of all the competitors.
Following a tech inspection on Thursday night, the team played nine matches and was in 14th place by the end of the day Friday.
The long day came at a cost with lift cylinders being damaged. But the Huntsville Hoyas loaned the Bracebridge team two spare cylinders. An all-nighter in the machine shop meant BML was back in business by Saturday morning.
The team won four matches and moved up to 11th.
From there BML was able to forge an alliance with some other teams to go into the quarter-finals, a first for the young team. While they lost, an invitation to the provincial championships may still happen. The team is hoping for an invitation to the Mississauga event where 80 teams will compete.
To help with the costs of running the team there will be a pancake breakfast at Sweetwater Maple Syrup Supplies & Sugarbush in Bracebridge this coming Saturday from 9:00am to 4:00pm.
