A centerpiece of the Advanced Manufacturing & Robotics Center (AMRoC) that FCDI is developing is a full scale FIRST Robotics Competition field, like the one used at our annual ROBOTICON STEM Showcase event at the University of South Florida Sun Dome Arena each fall. Typically, the field used at ROBOTICON and other events like ours is rented and shipping is often an expensive challenge, as is field construction.
Thanks to an Argosy Foundation grant, FCDI has been given the opportunity to secure our own field and related equipment to build out a youth robotics facility in Tampa Bay. With the advent of a permanent field, teams throughout Tampa Bay and central Florida (and beyond!) will have a place to learn, build and practice starting later this year.
Jay Johnson, far left, operations manager at EMS, oversees construction of the FRC field.
We decided to invest grant dollars locally and are having the field custom built by Electro Mechanical Solutions, Inc. (EMS), of Odessa, FL.
EMS is going to great lengths to precision engineer the field for both robustness and ease of assembly and disassembly. They are also building custom road crates to house the field, with an Ikea-like assembly system intended to cut down on set up and break down times.
FCDI Director, Steve Willingham, checks out a drive station under construction at EMS
This is just the first element of a multifaceted space that is intended to bridge the manufacturing and industry talent gap through corporate-academia partnerships and robust project-based engineering education and apprenticeships. In addition to robotics competition fields, meeting and build space and resources for FIRST Robotics Competition, FIRST Tech Challenge and FIRST LEGO League programs, AMRoC will also feature:
- Professional development opportunities for manufacturers, educators and community youth program facilitators,
- STEAM education camps and workshops for youth,
- Scrimmage opportunities for teams,
- Manufacturing collaboration opportunities,
- Rapid prototyping,
- Small scale production and manufacturing runs.
AMRoC aims to bring together industry and academia in a way that serves both and improves economic development outcomes for our community. Look for our shiny new field at ROBOTICON Tampa Bay September 29 & 30, at the USF Sun Dome Arena, and stay tuned for ways to get involved and help manufacture our shared future!