For nearly 70 years, the idea that robots will take over the world has festered in the imaginations of science-fiction fanatics. While, global domination might still be 1-2 years away, this weekend, robots are controlling at least one corner of Duluth.
The Double DECCer Regional robotics competition is a massive robotics competition occurring this Friday and Saturday at the DECC. With 108 scholastic teams from around the country competing, it is one of the largest robotics competitions being held this year.
Two local high schoolers, Trevor and Piper of Denfeld, are competing with their team, Denfeld Nation Automation 4009. For them, robotics has been a long-time passion.
"I've been in robotics since 3rd grade," said Piper, a currently a sophomore. "I was at the lowest level of the first robotics programs. I just thought it was super cool, I thought robots were cool. And it seemed like a great way to get into STEM and get into engineering."
Trevor, who has been in robotics since fourth grade, says the competitions are a good way to learn about strategy and work through challenges. One of those challenges is working with other members of their randomly selected alliance. The teams won't know who they are working with until the day of the competition.
Besides being a good outlet for competition, it has also given Trevor and Piper a view of what their collegiate career could or (in Trevor's case) won't look like.
"I'm a programmer [for the team]," said Trevor. But I kind of decided I don't want to do that with my whole life... Really in the last year - because I'm started to get to that college search - I've kind of looked at marketing degrees. I really like the scouting aspect, so I've looked at data analytic stuff."
But for the short term, the goal this weekend is to qualify for Worlds in Houston later this year.
The Double DECCer Regional robotics competition is free for all this weekend at the DECC.
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