FRC 10015 / BALLISTA / 2026
BALLISTA. Designed for throughput.
Ballista is a student-designed, fabricated, wired and programmed competition robot built around rapid acquisition, high-throughput scoring and reliable service between matches.
SYSTEM OVERVIEW
One robot. Seven connected subsystems.
Follow the complete game-piece path from a 21.5-inch intake to a triple-channel shooter, then explore power, controls, software and fabrication.
FRC 10015 / BALLISTA / 2026
Student-built. Competition ready.
A low-centre-of-gravity swerve platform feeding a wide intake, triple indexer and independently driven shooter, engineered for fast cycles and repeatable scoring.
BALLISTA / SYSTEM MAP / 2026
01 DRIVETRAIN
14 FT/S
02 INTAKE + INDEXER
21.5 IN
03 SHOOTER + HOOD
8-10 BPS
04 HOPPER + CLIMBER
50 FUEL
BALLISTA / ROBOT REVEAL / 2026
Built by students. Revealed in motion.
The 2026 Ballista competition robot was designed, manufactured, wired, programmed, tested, and documented through completely student-led work. Inspired by the clean packaging and competitive refinement seen in WCP robot designs, the team developed a low-centre-of-gravity swerve platform with a wide intake, staged game-piece path, high-throughput shooter, integrated electrical architecture, and serviceable modular assemblies.
SEASON ACHIEVEMENT
->
ELECTRICAL + CONTROL
Protected power. Predictable behavior.
Ballista???s control architecture is designed around clean routing, impact protection, service access and coordinated subsystem states.
ELECTRICAL ARCHITECTURE
Planned before the first wire was cut.
The baseplate accounts for routing, access and zip-tie mounts. Wire sleeves protect harnesses, WAGO-connected CAN wiring stays accessible, and custom printed strain reliefs secure the RoboRIO, CANivore, radio and power connections.
01
BATTERY + BREAKER / Protected main disconnect
02
POWER DISTRIBUTION / Planned baseplate routing
03
ROBORIO + CANIVORE / Serviceable CAN network
04
MOTORS + SENSORS / Strain-relieved connections
DRIVER CONTROLS
Translation + rotation / split-stick driving
Drive modes + reset gyro / fast recovery
Intake + shoot / primary scoring actions
Auto home + jam prevention / reliability
Climb / dedicated endgame command
SOFTWARE STACK
Java + WPILib / command-based framework
Motion Magic / PD + feedforward control
Smart current limits / brownout and jam detection
PathPlanner / autonomous drive-to-point
Limelight 4G / AprilTag localization + auto aim
ROBOT STATE MACHINE
Driver inputs trigger clear, conflict-free subsystem modes.
TELEOP IDLE
INTAKING
SHOOT AIM
SHOOT READY
SHOOT FEED
CLIMBER HOME
CLIMBED
WEIGHT + FABRICATION
Capability retained. Weight removed.
The team reduced an early 140 lb design toward the 115 lb competition limit through pocketing, hollow shafts, X44 substitutions, printed components and selective use of Lexan and PA-CF.
DESIGN / MASS REDUCTION
EARLY DESIGN: 140 LB / TARGET LIMIT: 115 LB
MASS REDUCTION METHODS
POCKETING / HOLLOW SHAFTS / KRAKEN X44
MATERIAL STRATEGY
LEXAN / PA-CF / SELECTIVE THIN ALUMINUM
FRC 10015 / BALLISTA / 2026
Built as one continuous system.
From acquisition to scoring, Ballista???s mechanisms are designed as one connected path. Explore each interactive subsystem, then expand the record as testing and competition data mature.
MECHANICAL SYSTEMS
Seven systems. One continuous cycle.
Ballista moves fuel through a deliberately connected path: acquire, organize, accelerate and aim, while the drivetrain and climber support the full match cycle.
01 / ACQUIRE
21.5 IN INTAKE
Wide three-roller collection
02 / ORGANIZE
TRIPLE INDEXER
20 x 16 in controlled feed
03 / ACCELERATE
8-10 BPS
Independent triple shooter
04 / AIM
22 DEG RANGE
Synchronized adjustable hood
01
14 FT/S
DRIVETRAIN
SDS MK5N R1 swerve modules use Kraken X60 drive motors and X44 steering. The rear-mounted horizontal battery helps balance a low centre of gravity.
02
21.5 IN
INTAKE
Three aluminum stub rollers create a wide acquisition zone. A 30:1 pivot and passive kicker plate support fast deployment while eliminating dead zones.
03
20 x 16 IN
INDEXER
Three dual-belted columns and compliant wheels shuffle fuel into independent shooter channels, with geometry designed to maintain a consistent feed and resist jams.
04
8-10 BPS
SHOOTER
Three independently driven channels use four-inch stealth wheels. Independent Kraken X60 motors target fast recovery between rapid shots.
05
22 DEG RANGE
HOOD
PA-CF sector gears share a synchronized shaft. A Kraken X44 through a 31:1 reduction enables compact, precise adjustment for multiple scoring locations.
06
50 FUEL
HOPPER
An internal structure and deployable Lexan extension maximize capacity while remaining rigid, replaceable and integrated with the intake slapdown.
07
3-5 S
CLIMBER
Two WCP telescoping elevators use Dyneema rope on an 18:1 driven spool, positioned near the centre of gravity for a balanced endgame lift.
FRC 10015 / BALLISTA / 2026
Engineered for match pressure.
Competition turns design intent into evidence. Track Ballista???s event performance, match development and the lessons that shape every iteration.
SEASON EVENT LOG
Every event. One evolving machine.
Season results from district play through championship and off-season appearances, sourced from The Blue Alliance.
ALL
EVENTS
LIVE
CMS RESULTS
TBA
VERIFIED SOURCE
01 / WEEK 2 / DISTRICT
ONT District Durham College Event
OSHAWA, ON / MAR 13–15, 2026
QUALIFICATION RANK
4
RECORD
11-6-0
ALLIANCE ROLE
CAPTAIN / ALLIANCE 3
PARTNERS
4976 + 6135
PLAYOFF RESULT
ROUND 5
02 / WEEK 3 / DISTRICT
ONT District North Bay Event
NORTH BAY, ON / MAR 20–22, 2026
QUALIFICATION RANK
2
RECORD
13-4-0
ALLIANCE ROLE
1ST PICK / ALLIANCE 1
PARTNERS
610 + 6864
PLAYOFF RESULT
REACHED THE FINALS
03 / WEEK 7 / CHAMPIONSHIP
Ontario Provincial Championship - Science Division
NIAGARA FALLS, ON / APR 16–19, 2026
QUALIFICATION RANK
15
RECORD
7-7-0
ALLIANCE ROLE
1ST PICK / ALLIANCE 8
PARTNERS
865 + 7200
PLAYOFF RESULT
ROUND 2
04 / WEEK 7 / CHAMPIONSHIP
FIRST Ontario Provincial Championship
NIAGARA FALLS, ON / APR 19, 2026
EVENT STATUS
COMPLETED
MATCHES
NO MATCHES PLAYED
LISTING
TEAM APPEARANCE
SEASON
2026
SOURCE
THE BLUE ALLIANCE
05 / WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Archimedes Division
HOUSTON, TX / APR 29–MAY 2, 2026
QUALIFICATION RANK
70
RECORD
1-9-0
PLAYOFFS
DID NOT ADVANCE
DIVISION
ARCHIMEDES
EVENT STATUS
COMPLETED
06 / OFF-SEASON / UPCOMING
Robots@Mary Ward - Day 1
SCARBOROUGH, ON / SEP 19, 2026
EVENT STATUS
UPCOMING
MATCHES
NOT YET PLAYED
FORMAT
OFF-SEASON
DAY
1 OF 2
LOCATION
MARY WARD
07 / OFF-SEASON / UPCOMING
Robots@Mary Ward - Day 2
SCARBOROUGH, ON / SEP 20, 2026
EVENT STATUS
UPCOMING
MATCHES
NOT YET PLAYED
FORMAT
OFF-SEASON
DAY
2 OF 2
LOCATION
MARY WARD
VIEW FRC 10015 ON THE BLUE ALLIANCE ->
FRC 10015 / BALLISTA / 2026
Engineering recognized. Teamwork remembered.
Awards are outcomes, not the whole story. This record connects recognition to the decisions, documentation and student leadership that earned it.
SEASON AWARDS
Recognition follows the work.
Official recognitions across competition performance, engineering, design, student leadership, and team growth. Each record connects directly to the full team story.
FRC 10015 / 2026
2026 REBUILT
OFFICIAL RECOGNITION
FIRST Leadership Award Finalist
FIRST Ontario Provincial Championship 2026
Ryan Zhang was recognized as a FIRST Leadership Award Finalist for outstanding leadership, impact, and dedication to the values and mission of FIRST.
NEWS
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FRC 10015 / 2026
2026 REBUILT
OFFICIAL RECOGNITION
Industrial Design Award
Ontario Provincial Championship - Science Division
Bubbles received the Industrial Design Award for the elegance, efficiency, and thoughtful integration of its student-built robot.
NEWS
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FRC 10015 / 2026
2026 REBUILT
OFFICIAL RECOGNITION
FIRST Leadership Award District Championship Semi-Finalist
ONT District North Bay Event 2026
Ryan Zhang was named a District Championship FIRST Leadership Award Semi-Finalist for technical leadership, mentorship, outreach, and student impact.
NEWS
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FRC 10015 / 2026
2026 REBUILT
OFFICIAL RECOGNITION
District Event Finalist
ONT District North Bay Event 2026
Bubbles ranked second and reached the finals with alliance partners FRC 610 Crescent Coyotes and FRC 6864 GryphTech Robotics.
NEWS
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FRC 10015 / 2026
2026 REBUILT
OFFICIAL RECOGNITION
Excellence in Engineering Award
ONT District North Bay Event 2026
Bubbles received the Excellence in Engineering Award sponsored by Littelfuse for an elegant and advantageous engineering feature of Ballista.
NEWS
->
FRC 10015 / 2026
2026 REBUILT
OFFICIAL RECOGNITION
District Event Rising All-Star Award
ONT District Durham College Event 2026
Bubbles received the Rising All-Star Award for outstanding student leadership, dedication, and commitment to advancing the mission of FIRST.
NEWS
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FULL TECHNICAL RECORD
Continue into the Ballista binder.
Explore the complete technical binder, CAD releases, build documentation and software resources maintained by FRC 10015.