Roles and Responsibilities

Bennington Area Robotics organizes its work around three functions: mechanical, controls, and operations. Each function includes three capabilities the team develops and uses throughout the season.

Students can contribute across functions and build new skills over time. A student might primarily write software, help run an outreach workshop, and scout at competitions. Coaches and mentors help students find useful work, learn the skills it requires, and take on responsibility as their experience grows.

Mechanical

Mechanical develops and maintains the physical robot.

• Design and CAD: Develop mechanism concepts, build prototypes, and use computer-aided design to plan parts, assemblies, and how everything fits together.
• Fabrication and assembly: Make parts, assemble mechanisms, and integrate them into the robot, working with controls on mounting, wiring access, and sensors.
• Testing and maintenance: Test mechanical performance and reliability, inspect and repair the robot, and identify needed tools and spare parts.

Controls

Controls connects the robot’s electrical systems and software so it can operate reliably under driver control and autonomously.

• Electrical and sensors: Plan and install wiring and power distribution, select and integrate sensors, and maintain reliable electrical connections.
• Software: Develop driver controls, autonomous routines, computer vision, and mechanism automation.
• Testing and tuning: Debug robot behavior, calibrate sensors, tune motion, and measure performance using test results and driver feedback.

Operations

Operations coordinates the team’s work, resources, and relationships.

• Planning and coordination: Track priorities, schedules, task ownership, and dependencies; coordinate meeting plans, robot access, and event logistics.
• Outreach and communications: Organize community activities and relationships with other teams; produce photos, video, graphics, website updates, and the team’s portfolio using contributions from all functions.
• Finance and resources: Develop budgets, organize fundraising, seek and maintain sponsorships, and track purchasing and inventory with coaches and program adults.

Shared responsibilities

Strategy connects all three functions. The team studies the game, chooses priorities, and uses scouting and practice results to guide robot design, software, and competition preparation.

Documentation comes from everyone. Students record the decisions, tests, failures, and improvements in their own work. Operations coordinates the portfolio’s editing and presentation, with contributors checking that it accurately explains what they did and learned.

Competition assignments draw from across the team. Driving, scouting, pit work, and presenting to judges have specific responsibilities and preparation needs. Students can take on these assignments alongside their regular work.

Student leadership

A project manager coordinates work across the three functions: helping the team set priorities, tracking progress and dependencies, and making sure students have clear next tasks and opportunities to contribute. This includes arranging time for building, programming, testing, and driver practice on the shared robot.

When the team uses a co-lead project manager, the two students agree on a clear division of responsibilities so teammates know whom to approach. A function lead, where useful, coordinates work and supports learning within mechanical, controls, or operations. Students in leadership roles can also contribute directly to projects.

Coaches and mentors support student planning, provide instruction and feedback, and help resolve problems. Adults retain responsibility for supervision, safety, and program financial approvals. Participation and shop practices follow our Code of Conduct.