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About the Coding Koalas (Team 8931K)

Welcome to the official documentation for VEX Robotics Team Coding Koalas! This site contains comprehensive technical documentation for our 2025-2026 season robot competing in the VEX game "Push Back".

About the Coding Koalas​

The Coding Koalas are a competitive VEX V5 robotics team focused on innovative engineering solutions and advanced autonomous programming. Our robot combines cutting-edge motion control algorithms with robust mechanical design to compete at the highest levels.

Our Robot​

Technical Specifications​

  • Platform: VEX V5 Robotics System
  • Framework: PROS (Purdue Robotics Operating System)
  • Motion Control: LemLib with advanced odometry
  • Drivetrain: 6-motor tank drive configuration
  • Sensors: IMU + dual tracking wheels for precise positioning

Key Features​

  • Dual Tracking Wheel Odometry: Precise X/Y position tracking with horizontal and vertical encoders
  • IMU-Enhanced Navigation: 6-axis inertial measurement for accurate heading control
  • 6-Motor Tank Drive: High-torque blue cartridge motors with optimized gear ratios
  • Real-Time Position Display: Live coordinate feedback on robot brain screen
  • Advanced Motion Algorithms: Boomerang controller for smooth curved paths
  • Tuned PID Controllers: Separate lateral and angular control for precise movement
  • Competition-Ready Autonomous: Reliable 15-second autonomous routines
  • Modular Code Architecture: Clean, maintainable C++ with comprehensive documentation

Documentation Structure​

This documentation is organized into several key sections:

🎯 Motion Control​

  • PID Control - Proportional-Integral-Derivative controllers for precise movement
  • Odometry - Position tracking using sensors and algorithms
  • Boomerang Controller - Advanced path-following for smooth autonomous movement

🔧 Hardware & Setup​

  • Robot Configuration - Physical setup and sensor placement
  • Calibration Procedures - Step-by-step sensor calibration
  • Troubleshooting - Common issues and solutions

💻 Software Architecture​

  • Code Structure - How our codebase is organized
  • Development Workflow - Git practices and deployment
  • Testing Protocols - Validation and performance metrics

Quick Start Guide​

For New Team Members​

  1. Read the PID Control documentation to understand our motion system
  2. Review Odometry to learn about position tracking
  3. Study Boomerang Controller for autonomous programming
  4. Practice with the robot using our testing protocols

For Developers​

  1. Clone the repository: git clone https://gitlab.com/8931k/8931k-2025-26
  2. Install PROS CLI and development environment
  3. Review code structure in src/main.cpp
  4. Run calibration and test basic movements

Current Season Goals​

Competition Objectives​

  • Regional Championships: Qualify for state-level competition
  • Technical Excellence: Demonstrate advanced autonomous capabilities
  • Innovation: Showcase cutting-edge motion control algorithms
  • Reliability: Maintain consistent performance across matches

Technical Milestones​

  • ✅ Basic drivetrain and odometry - Complete
  • ✅ PID tuning and Boomerang controller - Complete
  • 🔄 Autonomous routine development - In Progress
  • 📋 Game-specific mechanisms - Planned
  • 📋 Vision system integration - Future Enhancement

Team Philosophy​

Engineering Excellence​

We believe in understanding the fundamentals before implementing advanced features. Every system is thoroughly documented, tested, and validated before competition use.

Continuous Improvement​

Our development process emphasizes:

  • Iterative design with rapid prototyping
  • Data-driven decisions using performance metrics
  • Knowledge sharing through comprehensive documentation
  • Mentorship of new team members

Innovation with Reliability​

While we push the boundaries of what's possible in VEX robotics, we never compromise on reliability. Every advanced feature has fallback modes and extensive testing.

Getting Help​

Documentation Issues​

If you find errors or have suggestions for improving this documentation:

  1. Create an issue in our GitLab repository
  2. Contact team leadership directly
  3. Submit a merge request with proposed changes

Technical Support​

For robot-specific technical questions:

  • Check troubleshooting sections in relevant documentation
  • Review code comments in the repository
  • Ask experienced team members during meetings
  • Test systematically using our validation protocols

Competition Support​

During competitions:

  • Follow pre-match checklists for consistent setup
  • Use diagnostic tools for quick problem identification
  • Document issues for post-competition analysis
  • Stay calm and systematic under pressure

Repository Structure​

8931k-2025-26/
├── src/                    # Main robot code
│   └── main.cpp           # Primary program file
├── include/               # Header files and libraries
│   ├── pros/             # PROS framework headers
│   ├── lemlib/           # LemLib motion control
│   └── main.h            # Project-specific headers
├── firmware/             # Compiled libraries
├── Docs/                 # Legacy documentation
├── 8931K/                # New Docusaurus documentation
└── README.md             # Project overview

Contributing​

We welcome contributions from all team members! Please:

  1. Follow coding standards established in our style guide
  2. Document new features thoroughly
  3. Test changes before submitting
  4. Use descriptive commit messages
  5. Update documentation when adding features

Contact Information​

  • Team Repository: GitLab - 8931k/8931k-2025-26
  • Documentation Site: This site (powered by Docusaurus)
  • Team Meetings: Check team calendar for schedule

Next Steps​

Ready to dive deeper? Start with our core documentation:

Welcome to Team 8931K - Let's build something amazing! 🤖

Last updated: 2025-08-25 | Season: 2025-2026 "Push Back"