A rookie FTC team from Fremont, CA — built on learning by doing. Through engineering, Java programming, teamwork, and persistence we transformed from complete beginners into a competitive robotics team.
// ROBOT SPEC — ITERATION 4
MECANUM DRIVE · LIMELIGHT
60°
LAUNCH ANGLE
1520
CPS FLYWHEEL
4
ITERATIONS
PID
CONTROL LOOP
30507
TEAM NUMBER
10
MEMBERS
2024
FOUNDED
3+
OUTREACH EVENTS
// ROBOT IN ACTION
// COMPETITION ROBOT · ITERATION 4
30507
TEAM NUMBER
HELIX ROBOTICS · FREMONT CA
// MECANUM DRIVETRAIN · LIMELIGHT VISION
// WE ARE OPEN FOR OUTREACH
BRING HELIX ROBOTICS TO YOUR SCHOOL OR EVENT
Robot demos · STEM workshops · Robotics Q&A · FTC info sessions — we love inspiring the next generation.
// OUR MISSION
FROM ZERO TO FIRST
Our mission is to inspire students through robotics, engineering, and teamwork while continuously improving our technical knowledge and leadership skills.
As a first-year FTC team, we learned everything from mechanical design to Java programming, sensors, and autonomous systems — all while building our first competition robot.
// WHAT DRIVES US
ROBOT ENGINEERING
Precision design and programming built for the FTC challenge, iterated 4 times.
JAVA & AUTONOMOUS
Advanced control systems including PID, velocity profiling, and field-relative driving.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Chess tournament fundraisers, STEM demos, and inspiring the next generation.
LEARNING BY DOING
Engineering is about learning from mistakes, solving problems, and improving.
// OUR STORY
BUILT ON LEARNING
Helix Robotics Team 30507 began as a group of students eager to explore robotics through hands-on learning. As a first-year FTC team, we learned the fundamentals of mechanical design, Java programming, sensors, autonomous systems, and teamwork while building our first competition robot.
Through experimentation, testing, and collaboration, we developed a reliable mecanum-drive robot equipped with a custom launcher system. Our journey taught us that engineering is not only about building robots — it is about learning from mistakes, solving problems together, and constantly improving.
// CORE VALUES
01
COLLABORATION
02
RESPECT
03
SAFETY
04
LEARN BY DOING
05
INNOVATION
06
PERSEVERANCE
07
TEAMWORK
08
GROWTH
09
COMMUNITY
// OPEN FOR OUTREACH
WE COME TO YOU — SCHOOLS, EVENTS & FAIRS
Robot demos, STEM workshops, and FTC info sessions for all ages.
// MEET THE MENTOR
OUR COACH
COACH ANAND KARUNANITHI
// LEAD MENTOR · ROBOTICS ENGINEER
Coach Anand is passionate about sharing robotics knowledge and helping students build a strong engineering foundation. He encourages students to learn from mistakes and solve problems collaboratively.
EDUCATION
MS Robotics · Carnegie Mellon
PROFESSION
Engineering Lead · KLA
// THE ROSTER
MEET THE TEAM
SAKSHAM SINGH
CLASS OF 2030
Coding since age 7
Builds computers
OM SAVANI
CLASS OF 2029
Badminton · Cricket · Soccer
Alsion Middle/High School
SHREYANK KRISHNAN
CLASS OF 2029
Chess · Soccer
Mission San José High School
BALA ADITHYA ANANDAN
CLASS OF 2030
Badminton · Soccer · Chess
Centerville Middle School
PRATHIKA MURUGESAN
CLASS OF 2030
Clarinet · Debate · Speech
Centerville Middle School
ISHANI SAVANI
CLASS OF 2031
Basketball · Cricket
Alsion Middle/High School
ADISESH KANNAN
CLASS OF 2030
Basketball · Football
Horner Middle School
VISHRUTH RAYAKUNTAPALLE
CLASS OF 2030
Tennis
Centerville Middle School
VIMAL GOMATHI SANKAR
CLASS OF 2030
Computer Vision
AI · Machine Learning
SURIYA
CLASS OF 2030
Centerville Middle School
// DRIVETRAIN
MECANUM DRIVE
Another FTC team recommended mecanum wheels as a strong option for maneuverability and strafing. We also experimented with an omni-wheel and normal-wheel setup, but it had less control and poor maneuverability.
Although mecanum wheels introduced wheel slip, they allowed us to strafe and use advanced movement systems like field-relative driving. We compensated through software optimization and velocity profiling.
// LAUNCHER SYSTEM
PRECISION LAUNCHER
Inspired by the GoBilda FTC Starter Kit, we tested multiple launch angles, flywheel speeds, and feeder positions.
LAUNCH ANGLE OPTIMIZED TO 60°
Iterated 90° → 70° → 50° → 60° for best consistency
1500–1520 CPS FLYWHEEL
Tuned for stable, accurate shots at competition distance
Most of our team members began with little or no programming experience. Over the season, we learned Java fundamentals, explored the FTC SDK, and developed advanced control systems.
From basic TeleOp to PID control loops and velocity profiling — every line was written, tested, and debugged by the team.
// TECH STACK
JAVA + FTC SDK
Core language for all robot control, OpModes, and sensor integration
ANDROID STUDIO + ADB
Dev environment with ADB deployment replacing REV deployment
GITHUB
Version control and collaboration across all team members
VIRTUAL SIMULATOR
Built a virtual robot simulator for safe code testing before hardware runs
// KEY SYSTEMS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
// AUTONOMOUS
AUTO MODE
Robot exits launch zone and scores artifacts without driver input.
Exit launch zone autonomously
Launch artifacts into goal
Future: Odometry & intake system
Future: Automate ball collection
// TELEOP
DRIVER CONTROL
Dual-gamepad operation with field-relative driving and drift correction.
Field-relative driving via IMU
Drift correction algorithms
Velocity profiling
Two-controller operation
// PID CONTROL
PRECISION LOOPS
PID loops continuously correct errors from friction, inertia, and sensor inaccuracies.
Turning accuracy improved
Movement precision enhanced
Velocity profiler for smooth ramp-up
Reduced mecanum wheel slip
// WE ARE OPEN FOR OUTREACH
BRING HELIX ROBOTICS TO YOUR COMMUNITY
We love visiting schools, libraries, fairs, and events to show students what robotics can do. Robot demos · STEM workshops · FTC info sessions · Q&A panels — all free of charge.
// WHAT WE OFFER
OUTREACH PROGRAMS
ROBOT DEMONSTRATIONS
Live robot demos showing mecanum drive, launcher system, and autonomous routines
STEM WORKSHOPS
Hands-on activities introducing students to programming, sensors, and mechanical design
FTC INFO SESSIONS
Everything you need to know to start your own FTC team
MENTORSHIP
One-on-one guidance for FLL teams looking to move up to FTC
// WHO WE'VE WORKED WITH
OUR NETWORK
FTC WOLVERINE TEAM #23157
Provided guidance on FTC competitions and helped compare FTC with our FLL experience
NIVEDHA — MS ROBOTICS
Shared career insights and advice on pursuing robotics at the graduate level
ANANT — PHD AERONAUTICS
Expertise in aeronautical engineering and the path from FTC to advanced research
BRIDGE2BRILLIANCE NONPROFIT
Partner nonprofit supporting our community outreach and team sustainability
// PAST EVENTS
WHAT WE'VE DONE
// CHESS TOURNAMENT FUNDRAISER
CHESS MEETS ROBOTICS
We hosted a chess tournament for students under 13 and demonstrated our robot afterward. Several families reached out to learn more about FIRST and robotics opportunities.
Introduced students to robotics
Connected STEM with familiar activities
Raised funds for the team
Inspired many younger students
// FTC TOURNAMENT VISITS
COMPETITION EXPOSURE
We attended FTC tournaments to observe experienced teams and learn about robot design, strategy, and teamwork from the best in the region.
Observed competition strategy
Networked with other FTC teams
Learned field inspection requirements
Engaged with the broader FTC community
// SCHOOL DEMOS
INSPIRING FUTURE ENGINEERS
We visited elementary and middle schools to share our engineering journey and demonstrate our robot live for students who'd never seen an FTC robot before.
Live robot demonstrations
Q&A with team members
Introduced FTC competition format
Encouraged curiosity and creativity
// STEM MENTORSHIP
FLL TO FTC PIPELINE
We actively mentor FLL teams looking to make the jump to FTC, sharing everything we wish we'd known in our first year.
FTC registration guidance
Starter kit recommendations
Code sharing and documentation
Competition strategy coaching
// SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS
THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN US
Our team would not exist without the generous support of our sponsors, partners, and community organizations. Every dollar goes directly toward robot parts, outreach events, and competition registration.
Interested in sponsoring Helix Robotics? Your support helps us inspire the next generation of engineers in Fremont, CA.
Our primary nonprofit partner, supporting team sustainability and community outreach initiatives across Fremont.
// OUTREACH EVENT
CHESS TOURNAMENT
We hosted a community chess tournament for students under 13, combining STEM outreach with a fun competitive event and live robot demonstrations.
// YOUR COMPANY HERE
BECOME A SPONSOR
Help us grow, compete, and inspire. Contact us to learn about sponsorship tiers and recognition opportunities.
// FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GOT QUESTIONS?
What is FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC)? ▼
FIRST Tech Challenge is a robotics competition for students in grades 7–12. Teams design, build, and program robots to complete specific game challenges. FTC teaches engineering, programming, teamwork, and real-world problem solving in a competitive but collaborative environment.
How can I join Helix Robotics? ▼
We welcome students from middle and high school who are passionate about robotics, engineering, or programming. Reach out via our Contact page and we'll be in touch about openings for the next season.
Can you come to our school or event? ▼
Absolutely — we are open for outreach! We offer live robot demonstrations, STEM workshops, FTC info sessions, and Q&A panels. We cover schools, libraries, fairs, and community events in the Fremont area. Contact us to schedule a visit.
Do I need programming experience to join? ▼
Not at all. Most of our current members started with little or no programming experience. We teach Java from the ground up and believe the best way to learn is by doing. Curiosity and enthusiasm matter more than prior experience.
How can my company sponsor the team? ▼
We welcome sponsorships of all sizes. Funds go directly toward robot parts, competition fees, outreach materials, and team sustainability. Contact us via the Contact page and we'll send over our sponsorship packet with recognition tiers and benefits.
What programming language does the robot use? ▼
Our robot is programmed in Java using the FTC SDK. We use Android Studio as our IDE with ADB deployment, and we maintain all code on GitHub for version control and team collaboration.
What FTC game did you compete in? ▼
We competed in our rookie season with a robot featuring a mecanum drivetrain and a custom flywheel launcher system, designed to exit the launch zone and score artifacts into the goal during both autonomous and TeleOp modes.
How do I start my own FTC team? ▼
Register at firstinspires.org, assemble a group of 2–15 students, find a mentor, and get a GoBilda starter kit to begin building. Reach out to us — we're happy to share what we learned in our rookie year.
// CONTACT US
LET'S CONNECT
Interested in Helix Robotics? Whether you want to request an outreach visit, discuss sponsorship, ask about joining the team, or just learn more about FTC — we'd love to hear from you.
OUTREACH VISITS
Robot demos and STEM workshops at your school, library, or event
SPONSORSHIP
Support the next generation of engineers — all levels welcome
JOIN THE TEAM
Open to middle and high school students in the Fremont area
FTC QUESTIONS
Thinking of starting your own team? We'll help you get going
// TEAM INFO
// TEAM
HELIX ROBOTICS
FTC Team #30507
// LOCATION
FREMONT, CA
San Francisco Bay Area
// PROGRAM
FIRST TECH CHALLENGE
Rookie Season 2024–25
// OUTREACH
OPEN FOR VISITS
Schools · Events · Fairs
// WE ARE OPEN FOR OUTREACH
We love visiting schools, libraries, and community events to share the excitement of robotics. Our demos are free and we'll bring the robot to you.
