Robotics Club planning for StarScapes

By Juanita Kelly-Hill
Staff Writer 

The LCC VEXU Robotics Club has returned this semester, meeting every Tuesday at noon and Wednesday at 2 p.m. at LCC’s west campus. 

Last semester, the VEXU Robotics Club was able to participate in the Grandville Robotics Tournament, according to Club Adviser Bruce Boardman.

“The Grandville competition was very interesting as it included robotic teams from Big-10 schools like Purdue, Michigan State and Wisconsin,” Boardman said. 

Boardman said it was a learning experience, although the club was unable to fully participate.

“The LCC VEXU team was unable to complete the competition as our robots did not have all of the components completed and working,” Boardman said. “The experience and learning from other VEXU teams will help the team greatly moving forward.”

The club will be participating in StarScapes on April 26 and 27 of this year, when it will demonstrate some of the robots’ capabilities.

Club President Julia Stoffer said the Grandville Competition was her favorite event for last semester.

“It was a good opportunity to see how other universities run their teams and what tools they use,” Stoffer said. “As president, it helped me understand how the club could be improved. We didn't win any awards, but going to competitions in general is a fun experience, especially with friends you make in the club.”

Stoffer talked about the events she would like to put together in the future. 

“I'm hoping to take our members to the Automate Conference in Detroit in May,” Stoffer began. “Since most of our members are mechatronics majors, I think it would be beneficial for them to see what's new in the industrial robotics industry. It’ll also be free for LCC students to attend, regardless of their field of study.”

The VEXU Robotics Club is open to all LCC students. For more information, contact Club Adviser Bruce Boardman at boardmab@lcc.edu.