Empower the Future: Fund Krunch Robotics' Swerve System

Hello! We are raising money to benefit FIRST Team 79 Krunch / The Interact Club of Krunch Robotics to realize our goal of building a swerve drivetrain in preparation of the 2025 competition season!

FIRST® Team 79 Krunch (a.k.a. “The Interact Club of Krunch Robotics”) is more than just a group of students, mentors, and volunteers who meet to build a robot. We are a family that strives to take care of its community while working on common goals as an award-winning FIRST® FRC Robotics Team.

Our mission is to unite mentors, engineers, and students through engineering and robotics. We learn by using positive attitudes, the latest technology, the will to influence the community, and by committing acts of Gracious Professionalism® on and off the playing field.

Over the past several years, swerve drivetrains have proven to be the most competitive drive system in FRC, dominating the competition. This was especially highlighted this year at the Orlando Regional, where 7 of 8 alliance captains (the top teams of the competition) featured a swerve drivetrain. We have determined in order for our team to stay competitive, it's time for us to expand our abilities and add swerve drive to our toolbelt of options.

This system is a big jump up in complexity so in order to be ready to implement it in the new season in January, we need to start now to learn the ins and outs. It is also a big jump in cost from our recent years drivetrains, so we are asking for your help!

After a lot of research by our students and mentors, we've determined the MK4 system from Swerve Drive Specialties is the best option. With the motors and required accessories, we have determined the price to be $3567.22, not including the electronics which we will be recycling from a previous robot.

For those who may not be aware, swerve drivetrains offer the unique benefit of being able to drive / strafe in any direction, allowing for maximum mobility, while utilizing full traction wheels for fast speed, acceleration, and pushing power.

Donations to this GoFundMe will go to our 501c3, Robotics Technical Education Foundation, whose sole purpose is to fund Team 79 Krunch, and any donation will help make an impact! Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to us!

Additional info:

FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a non-profit organization founded in 1989 by inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen, who had an imperative, single focus "to excite more young people about the fun, accessibility, and importance of science and technology." FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC) is an annual competition that brings professionals and young people together in teams to solve an engineering design problem in an intense and competitive environment.

Launched in 1962, Interact is an international organization of service, part of Rotary International, which fosters leadership and responsible citizenship, and promotes international understanding and peace. The name “Interact” was created by combining the words “international” and “action.”

Sponsored by Rotary Clubs, Interact clubs are for youth ages 12-18, and can be associated with a community or a school. Interact club members have fun while carrying out service projects and learning about the world. Every Interact club organizes at least two service projects a year: one that benefits their community and one that encourages international understanding.