Behind the Scenes of First Robotics Competition at IMSA

In a recent interview with Design Integration (DI) Co-Lead Neerav Poluri (’25), this article dives into FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) from an outside perspective. The discussion creates a holistic overview of the team and emphasizes the management behind Titans 2022’s seasonal success!

How do you recruit new students for FRC, and what qualities do you look for in them?

Neerav explains that when recruiting members, FRC is eager to invite new students and isn’t worried about prior experience; furthermore, he believes in the team’s excellent training program for new recruits and helps instill the teamwork mindset. 

What does the training process for new members look like, especially for those without prior experience?

The DI Co-Head explains that the training process before the season begins consists of six subteam-specific programs and a “mock season.” Recruits choose the subteams that interest them and complete their respective training; typically, members complete training for one to two subteams. 

To start, Mechanical covers the tools in the robotics lab, consisting of everything from simple power tools to the band saw; in training, all Mech team members receive certification for power tool use. Design Integration (DI) training is dedicated to Solidworks and design/engineering principles. The programming team introduces rookies to FRC-specific Java programming and computer vision using C++ or Python. Towards the end of Electrical, students are introduced to control theory, pneumatics, wiring pathways, and hardware components driving the robot’s power. The manufacturing team focuses on designing custom parts in Fusion360 and works with the CNC machine to produce them. Lastly, the Outreach team members learn business and marketing skills to coordinate and build strong relationships with team sponsors. 

How do you foster teamwork between new recruits and experienced members?

Further, as Neerav explains, one of the most exciting parts of the IMSA FRC preseason experience is the “mock season.” The team is coordinated into random groups—generally with some rookies and a veteran—and focuses on the holistic robotics experience. This not only creates a strong relationship between new and experienced members but also prepares the team as a whole for the new season. The goal of the mock season is to build a game from years prior; currently, they are redoing the 2019 game “Destination: Deep Space.” 

Final Comments

For anyone on the fence on joining robotics, Neerav says, “Anyone can do it, even with no experience. Be willing to learn and commit early season to reap success later.”