MSOE Raider Robotics sets world record
MSOE’s Raider Robotics team turned heads and set a world record at the 2025 VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas in May. This annual competition is the premier global event for student robotics teams, organized by the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (REC Foundation). Thousands of students from more than 60 countries showcase their skills in engineering, programming and teamwork.
MSOE competed in the VEXU Robotics Competition, which is targeted at college and university students. This year’s competition was known as “High Stakes.” There were 109 VEXU teams in attendance, split between two divisions (Technology and Math). MSOE was one of 55 teams in the Technology Division.
For the competition, teams built two robots (a 24” robot and a 15” robot) to compete in a 12’ x 12’ square field against another team. Each match consisted of a 15-second autonomous period followed by a 1-minute, 45-second driver-controlled period. The objective was to gain a higher score than the opposing team by scoring rings on stakes, placing mobile goals and climbing a 3-tier structure at the end of the match. Teams were allowed to use custom-designed and manufactured parts.
Raider Robotics Results
- Set the world record match score for VEXU (76 points); second highest score was 61 points
- Only team to have a Tier 3 climb during the autonomous portion of the game
- 1 of only 2 teams to have beaten the 2025 VEXU world champions (Ten Ton) during their run at worlds
- 1 of only 2 teams within the 55-team division who possessed the ability to do a Tier 3 Buddy climb (where one robot is attached to the other robot while at Tier 3 of the tower)
MSOE Raider Robotics
These results attracted attention from the FUN Robotics Network, which produces video content at competitions like this focused on teams that are excelling or have a unique robot. Raider Robotics was featured in an episode of “Pits & Parts,” with the producers saying MSOE had, “One of the wildest robots we have seen in High Stakes. MSOE Raider Robotics created a pair of VEXU robots of which one climbs and does the high stake in auto, then drops down a 'trapeze-esque' bar for their 24" robot to climb.”
Watch the episode:
Teams earn their spot at the World Championship by excelling in regional and state competitions. They then compete in high stakes matches using custom-built robots, striving to be crowned world champions. This year, 12 students from MSOE represented Raider Robotics at the World Championship:
- Reilly Aschenbrener, mechanical engineering, Waterford, Wis.
- Sonia Grade, chemical and biomolecular engineering, Madison, Wis.
- Matthew Griesbach, mechanical engineering, Kaukauna, Wis.
- Paul Majka, mechanical engineering, Naperville, Ill.
- Jacob McGovern, mechanical engineering, Appleton, Wis.
- Annika Peters, chemical and biomolecular engineering, Two Rivers, Wis.
- Micah Pollnow, mechanical engineering, Twentynine Palms, Calif.
- Oliver Rohwer, mechanical engineering, Waseca, Minn.
- Hunter Van Mersbergen, computer engineering, Skokie, Ill.
- Landon Van Mersbergen, computer science, Skokie, Ill.
- Matthew Williams, mechanical engineering, Bartlett, Ill.
- Ben Young, mechanical engineering, Waukesha, Wis.
Beyond the competition, the VEX Robotics World Championship serves as a celebration of innovation and creativity. It provides students with hands-on experience in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields, helping to bridge the talent gap in these areas. Participants develop critical skills such as problem-solving, collaboration, and perseverance, which are essential for future careers in technology and engineering.
MSOE Raider Robotics is grateful for the support of MSOE, The Angelus Corporation, Milwaukee Tool, SMC Corporation, Harley-Davidson and Metalcraft Automation Group.
About MSOE Raider Robotics