The RMA R0vers (FTC Team #32789) represent River Mill Academy’s growing robotics program and a new era of STEM innovation on campus. Launched as a land-based sister program to the school’s long-running Underwater Robotics Club, the R0vers are a student-driven team focused on engineering, coding, teamwork, and competitive excellence.

The team builds with Studica robotics systems, integrates REV control hardware, and actively develops autonomous and tele-op code using Java in Visual Studio Code—mirroring the real-world software practices used in the FIRST Tech Challenge. The R0vers balance mechanical engineering, electrical systems, CAD, programming, and game-strategy development as they design a robot capable of competing in a fast-paced, problem-solving-heavy FTC environment.

This season, the R0vers have made significant strides—including successfully reprogramming their controller, field-testing the drive system, and working toward a fully functional competition robot. Students have also begun building a wiffle-ball shooter system, iterating on prototypes, testing materials, and exploring motor control and launcher geometry. Collaboration is core to the team’s culture: students work closely with adult mentors, including mechanical support from community partners like Mike, and technical guidance from the school’s Instructional Technology Facilitator.

The R0vers are committed to learning through challenges, practicing gracious professionalism, and representing River Mill Academy with creativity, hard work, and innovation. They actively prepare for scrimmages and qualifiers—from Chapel Hill to Greensboro—and are working toward their ultimate goal: earning a spot at the 2026 NC FTC State Championship at NC A&T University.

Whether building mechanisms, writing autonomous routines, troubleshooting electronics, or engaging with the STEM community, the RMA R0vers are driven, curious, and ready to grow. They embody what it means to imagine boldly, build fearlessly, and compete with heart.