DCS Defenders Robotics #15815

DECODE

Meet Our Bot
Name The Nautilus
Drivetrain four wheel mecanum, each wheel powered by a REV HD Hex motor with UltraPlanetary Gearbox and 90 Degree Gearbox
Shoulder double-sided gear and chain-driven rotation joint, powered by twin REV HD Hex motors with UltraPlanetary Gearbox and 90 Degree Gearbox
Arm double-sided chain-driven linear extension powered by twin REV HD Hex motors with UltraPlanetary Gearbox
Wrist single servo and spring pivot joint, with physical limits
Intake dual continuous-rotation servos powering compliant wheels
Ascent double set of 3D-printed rung hooks, attached to the robot's arm
Vision triple detection zone with mean saturation comparison, powered by Aluratek Ultra 2K Live camera and VisionPortal
Awards Innovate Award 2nd place (Kentwood), Motivate Award 3rd place (Fruitport)
Meet the Team
Team photo taken on November 23, 2024
Our Season
To Be Determined
  • As in previous seasons, we anticipate competing at two tournament events as well as a local scrimmage.
  • Participation at state or national championships is conditional upon performance at tournaments.
Details
Practice Schedule
An up-to-date calendar of practices and competitions for the season.
Download the Schedule
  • As in previous seasons, we anticipate competing at two tournament events as well as a local scrimmage.
  • Participation at state or national championships is conditional upon performance at tournaments.
Details
MI State Championship NW
12/13/24 – 12/14/24
  • After two days of competition, 4 wins and 3 losses.
  • Ranked 18th after the qualification matches.
  • Picked to be a member of Alliance 4!
  • Made it to Match 6 of the tournament
Details
Fruitport Qualifier
11/23/24
  • Ranked 10th at the end of qualifying matches
  • Chosen as partner for Alliance 3
  • Third place, Inspire Award
  • Member of 2nd place alliance
  • Advanced to state championship
Details
Kentwood Qualifier
11/2/24
  • Ranked ninth at the end of qualifying matches
  • Chosen as partner for Alliance 3
  • Advanced to Playoff Round 5
  • Winner of the Design Award
Details
Scrimmage with Calvin Christian and Potter's House
10/26/24
  • Ranked 9th after 39 qualifying matches
  • Ranked 5th by OPR
  • First pick by Alliance 3
  • Design Award winner
Meet the Game

2025-2026 Season Resources

Materials for the DECODE game will be available after the reveal on September 6, 2025.

2025-2026 Season Resources

This video gives an overview of how the season's game is played.
This manual describes the general setup and play of the game.
Game Manual, Part 2 (traditional events)
The second part of the game manual covers the specifics of the CenterStage game, and is the authoritative source for rules.
This document is a quick summary of how the game is played and, more importantly, a summary of how points can be scored.
Developed by FTC, this webpage allows you to quickly calculate an overall score for a CenterStage match. Note that when using this, you must manually count the number of "mosaics" created on the backdrop.
Developed by an FTC team mentor, this tool allows you to quickly calculate a game's pixel point score. Scores are calculated by visually "placing" pixels of different colors on a virtual backdrop. This means that the calculator will help you in determining how many "mosaics" have been created.
This board is considered the official place to get answers to questions about the rules, gameplay, or strategy.
Game Manual, Part 1 (traditional events)
The first part of the game manual covers general topics of how FTC competitions are run.
This document describes the criteria for the different awards that an FTC team can win throughout the season.
This page is the definitive place to find information or resources for this year's game.
Our Team Organization
Photo of the DCS Robotics team at the East Kentwood qualifier on November 4, 2022.
Programming Team

Tutorials, resources, and instructions for members of the programming team—or anyone interested in learning more about programming an FTC robot.

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Build Team

Information on construction and design aspects of FTC robots.

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Marketing & Promotions Team

In charge of pit design, sponsorships, fundraising, apparel design, and other public elements of the team.

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Strategy Team

Responsible for high-level game strategy, oversight of competition scouting, and field management.

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Drive Team

Responsible for play of the game during competitions.

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