My name is Oliver! I first came to LigerBots because I enjoy engineering and working on projects that have a real goal. I have always liked building things and figuring out how they work, but I wanted something more than just a random project at home. I wanted to be part of something bigger, a team where everyone contributes and where the work actually leads to something real: a functioning robot.

One of the biggest reasons I like being on LigerBots is that it’s not just one person doing everything. Everyone has a role, and when each person does their part, the whole project succeeds. That’s what makes it feel meaningful. You can tell that what you do matters, because even a small change can impact how the robot performs.

My Role: Programming

I focus on programming. This means that I help design, test, and improve code that directly impacts how the robot moves and behaves during matches. Programming can be frustrating sometimes, especially when something doesn’t work and you can’t figure out why. But, also what makes it fun, you have to think, test, change one thing at a time, and keep going until it works.

It’s a really good feeling when you finally get something right and the robot starts doing what you intended. It’s like seeing your ideas come to life, but through code instead of just parts and tools.

Building and Testing New Ideas

Another reason I enjoy LigerBots is that I like building things and experimenting. Robotics is perfect for that because it encourages you to try new ideas, even if they don’t work the first time. Some of the best progress happens after something fails. You learn what went wrong, fix it, and make it better.

Even when something doesn’t work, it’s still progress because you understand the problem more than you did before. That’s something I’ve definitely learned from being on the team: failing isn’t the end, it’s just part of getting closer to a solution.

The People Make It Better

One of the best parts of LigerBots is the connections I’ve made, especially through programming. Working alongside other people who know more than you can be intimidating at first, but it ends up being super helpful. I’ve learned a lot just by asking questions, watching how others solve problems, and getting advice when I’m stuck.

It feels like everyone is working toward the same goal, and people actually want you to improve. That environment makes it easier to stay motivated, even when the code refuses to cooperate.

Getting Into CAD

Recently, I’ve also been getting into CAD, and it’s honestly really fun. Designing parts that might actually get built is a different kind of satisfaction. It’s one thing to imagine a mechanism in your head, but it’s another thing to create it digitally and realize, “Wait… this could actually work.”

CAD feels like a mix of creativity and logic – you get to design something cool, but you also have to make sure it’s realistic and functional. I’m still learning, but it’s exciting to explore another part of engineering and understand the design side of robotics more.

Why It Matters to Me

Overall, being on LigerBots has taught me how to collaborate, solve problems, and take responsibility for my role on a team. It’s helped me grow not just as a programmer, but as someone who enjoys engineering and wants to keep improving.

The most rewarding part is seeing everything come together. When the robot is finally working – after all the testing, fixing, debugging, and rebuilding, it feels amazing. It makes all the effort worth it because you can point to the result and say, “We built that.”

And that’s why I’m here.