CSM’s Talons Aim for Top Spot at Robotics World Championship

The College of Southern Maryland’s (CSM) Talons, the reigning champions in community college robotics, are set to defend their title at the VexU Robotics World Championship in Dallas, Texas. This prestigious global event, hosted from April 25 through May 3, 2024, at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, will feature the top robotics teams from around the world.

Having secured their spot through four regional competitions this year, the Talons achieved the 28th highest skills score globally and won the Judges Award at the Mid-Atlantic VEXU Over/Under Tournament. Their success is displayed proudly in a trophy case at the ST Building lobby on CSM’s La Plata Campus, showcasing awards for design, innovation, and community outreach.

The Talons differentiate themselves by competing against and often defeating teams from four-year universities. Their high-level technical skills are evident in their robot, equipped with an advanced positioning sensor, used by only a select few teams worldwide. Team president Bailey Burroughs, an expert in 3-D printing, continuously refines the robot’s design to enhance performance in competitions.

The team’s vice president, Jonathan Gross, highlighted the team’s strategic capabilities, recalling the crowd’s reaction to their aggressive tactics against a top-ranked team. The Talons’ coach, Jim Cleary, noted the team’s dedication despite their rigorous academic and work schedules. “They can code and build with the best in the world,” Cleary said, emphasizing the pleasure of working with such talented students.

The “Over Under” competition format resembles a soccer game, where robots, operating autonomously or controlled by drivers, maneuver pyramid-shaped balls across the field, aiming to score points in various ways, including lifting themselves off the ground before the final buzzer for bonus points.

The team is composed of students from diverse fields such as engineering, mathematics, information technology, and business, including a 16-year-old awaiting official team membership. Their success is supported by CSM and partners such as the Patuxent Partnership, SMECO, and Avian, providing necessary resources and scholarships.

With several team members moving on to four-year institutions after this season, recruitment and training of new members are already underway, with the aim of maintaining the team’s competitive edge. The challenge is steep but rewarding, as new member Skye Blado recalls her first intense competition experience.

Looking ahead, the Talons are focused on excelling in Dallas to reach the qualifying rounds and secure their position as one of the world’s top teams. Regardless of the outcome, the team is committed to continuous improvement, with plans to prepare for next year’s challenge immediately after the competition and their academic finals.

This year’s VEX Robotics World Championship, the largest of its kind, is presented by the Northrop Grumman Foundation and the REC Foundation, celebrating the achievements of the best teams from the VEX IQ Robotics Competition, VEX Robotics Competition, and VEX U teams.