Team 4414: HighTide is an industry-based robotics team located in Ventura.
After 2 canceled seasons due to COVID, competitive robotics is back, and with that, so is Team 4414: HighTide. They are riding high on back to back wins at Hueneme Port and Ventura County Regionals. Additionally, they earned awards in Quality and Autonomous.
Team 4414: HighTide is an industry-based robotics team located in Ventura. Student participants range from grades 9 – 12 and attend school at Buena, El Camino, Foothill or Ventura High. Students learn career-oriented skills in engineering, design, mathematics, computer science, and are inspired by industry professional mentors. Michael Sessa of Sessa MFG (where the team trains) said, “Team 4414 HighTide is so dedicated and driven to excellence in everything they do. We are so lucky to have such great students along with amazing mentors.”
This year’s Game sees two alliances competing to process cargo and score it into the hub. The match ends with robots racing to engage with their hangar to prepare for transport. Alliances are made up of 3 robot teams that work together to earn the highest score. While the competition is intense, it is built on the values of professionalism, cooperation, kindness, and more.
Bryce Taylor said, “The team has put in countless hours of prototyping, design, manufacturing, coding and more. As a member of the drive team, the pressure to execute is even greater and I’m glad our practice paid off. We were able to perform at a high level and take full advantage of the robot’s potential.” Driver Zach Shew said of his experience, “Driving is exciting, fun and unpredictable,” while Aadhya Bavkar said, ““It was stressful at times, but it felt amazing to share a victory with the whole team and contribute to our overall success.”
Beside having a mechanically sound, well driven robot with excellent software, strong strategy and data collection is crucial to winning events. Anshul Bajaj said, “Understanding your opponent’s and most importantly, your teammate’s ability is essential to performing at the highest level. Using my semi-automated scouting app, Team 4414 students recorded and collected performance data for the teams we competed with. These metrics informed our strategy which elevated our overall competitiveness.”
Mentor JJ Sessa congratulated the team on their back to back wins and said, “Thank you to all our sponsors, friends and family for your support. We are looking forward to competing at Aerospace Valley and at the World competition in Houston next month.”
For more information: www.team4414.com
