Team uses robots to assist exceptional children

SMITHFIELD — FIRST Robotics Competition Team 6004 f(x) Robotics recently hosted its first annual fall festival and chalk walk competition.

The event, entitled “Fox Fall Festival,” was held along South Third Street and East Market Street in Downtown Smithfield. Participants in the chalk walk displayed their artistic talents by decorating the sidewalks of South Third Street.

There were about 40 drawings along the street by artists ranging from age four to adulthood. The themes of the art pieces were creative and varied, including animals, nature, and inspirational quotes.

The Fox Fall Festival supported the team’s initiative to use robots to help exceptional children with dexterity limitations experience drawing and writing. The team has called this endeavor “Project FOX,” which stands for Focus On deXterity.

The assistive robot is a small bot with a carousel and a 3D-printed hand-holding device on top. The carousel allows 360-degree motion of the device while the robot follows a black line on square pieces of plywood. There are various letters, shapes and numbers that the robot can trace while guiding the child’s hand along with it.

Local elementary schools will be the first recipients of these robots. The team, based out of Smithfield-Selma High School, showcased the Project FOX robot to the public at the Fox Fall Festival.

FIRST Robotics Competition Team 6004 f(x) Robotics hosted its first annual fall festival recently. The festival supported the team’s initiative to use robots to help children with dexterity limitations experience drawing and writing. The team is pictured with Team 3737 Roto Raptors, which also displayed its robot and supported the festival.

FIRST Robotics Competition Team 6004 f(x) Robotics hosted its first annual fall festival recently. The festival supported the team’s initiative to use robots to help children with dexterity limitations experience drawing and writing. The team is pictured with Team 3737 Roto Raptors, which also displayed its robot and supported the festival.

“The Fox Fall Festival was a tool to bring a community together, to gather support and spread awareness in our community for students and adults with dexterity limitations and most importantly having fun doing so,” said coach David Brook.

In addition, they showcased their full-scale robot which they used to compete in the 2021-2022 FIRST FRC competition season. Another local FRC team, Team 3737 Roto Raptors, also participated in showcasing their robot and supporting the event.

For more information about FRC Team 6004, f(x) Robotics, email them at frc.team6004.robotics@gmail.com or visit their website at frc6004.com.