RipTide proved that disciplined design reviews and an early manufacturing lock can change everything. The drivetrain rolled out on day 10, which freed the design team to iterate on the two-stage elevator while controls prototyped an over-the-bumper intake. By the time we arrived in Tallahassee, drivers already had 40+ hours of practice and could cycle without a spotter.
The buddy fork became a highlight for alliance partners. We machined the forks from 7075 with replaceable UHMW skids, enabling us to carry partners who needed help reaching the platform. Combined with a responsive Limelight pipeline, RipTide ranked 1st in auto points and top 3 overall.
We brought home the Regional Winner banner and Industrial Design Award, plus an invitation for Daniella to advance as a Dean’s List Finalist.