Competition Finals

The day started like any other. We woke up early, got ready, and headed to the competition at dawn. We had two matches scheduled before the playoffs. These matches were crucial because we had heard from other teams that we might be selected as a defensive robot.

In our case, it became clear that although we were not among the top teams in terms of points scored, we had great potential in defensive play. We had the opportunity to prove this in a match against one of the best teams, where we stood out with our performance and attracted the attention of other participants.

The playoff phase works in such a way that the top eight ranked teams select two partners to continue competing in the elimination rounds. Each leading team forms an alliance of three teams, and the selection is based on performance and the role each robot can play on the field.

In the playoffs, we were selected by the second-best team. Our team was surprised, happy, and proud to have reached this level of competition. We competed in an alliance with Team #8020 from Taiwan and Team #5934 Crowbotics.

Then came the lunch break, where a sudden twist occurred. One team member decided to quickly check our Crobot to ensure everything was working and ready for the next matches. He turned on the robot, but it showed no signs of life. After turning it off and on again, it still didn’t work. When we tried replacing the battery, we realized the issue wasn’t there, but rather in one of the largest and thickest wires.

We decided to replace it, but it was a long and complex process—and time was running out fast. The match was starting in 15 minutes. The robot needed a new power wire, and we put all our effort into replacing it in just a few minutes. We tore apart half the robot, cut through certain parts just to reach the distribution board where the wire was connected.

That’s when we realized why the robot had smelled the day before. The plastic on the distribution board was almost completely melted. With only a few minutes left, we understood that we needed to replace the entire distribution board, reconnect all the wires to the new one, and we entered the match just seconds before it began.

A task that normally takes 2 to 3 hours was completed by our team in just 15 minutes—under extreme stress and pressure, and without a single wiring mistake.

The matches took place with only a few minutes between them. During these short breaks, our team showed incredible resourcefulness and dedication, as our robot was almost constantly being repaired. From sewing bumpers to more complex structural fixes, every team member contributed to keeping the robot functional.

Despite all the failures and challenges, we adapted our performance and fully focused on defensive play—the area where we proved to be strongest. This approach turned out to be highly effective, as we won three out of five matches and secured a place in the semifinals.

At the end of the competition, our team #7201 achieved an outstanding third place—our best result in team history. Competing against top teams from all over the world, this success is a confirmation of our hard work, knowledge, and dedication.

Our team, coming from a modest classroom 401, managed to climb to the very top of a global competition, proving that with enough effort and teamwork, all limitations can be overcome. This result is not just a number for us—it is proof that hard work, persistence, and belief in what we do truly pay off.

After the celebration and immense joy, we returned to Taft High School, where we disassembled the robot and carefully packed it. Crobot exceeded our expectations and is now ready to return home, marking the end of an unforgettable chapter of our journey.

Of course, this success would not have been possible without the support we receive daily from all of you who follow us, as well as from our donors and partners who invested significant effort and resources to make this incredible experience possible.

The eight members who made history with this achievement are:

Paulo Medvedić
Nikola Vlašić
Clara Štimac
Fran Filip Frančišković
Yaroslava Okhrimenko
Adriano Jardas
Lovro Dragičević
Mateo Manestar

Accompanied by their mentors:

Patricija Nikolaus
Goran Boneta

This result—and the journey itself—will be remembered for a long, long time. And to all of you who have supported us, get ready—next year we’re coming back even stronger and more motivated.

Endless thanks for your support, and all praise to our team, which rose from just a few square meters of a modest workshop to defeat world-class teams and secure 3rd place at this prestigious competition.

Infinitely grateful and proud!

Your Crobotics team!