6198
LOBSTER MACHINE
FTC TEAM 6198
SCROLL TO EXPLORE
🦞

LOBSTER
MACHINE

01 / ABOUT US

A LITTLE ABOUT US.

We're Lobster Machine, FTC Team 6198. We're students who work together to design, build, and program robots. We learn by trying new ideas, solving problems, and improving with every season.

WHO WE ARE
↗
02 / OUR GOAL

ALWAYS BUILDING. ALWAYS LEARNING.

Our goal is to build competitive robots, develop real engineering skills, and challenge ourselves to do better every season. We turn ideas into working designs through teamwork, testing, and persistence.

WHAT DRIVES US
↗
03 / MEET THE TEAM

DIFFERENT SKILLS. ONE TEAM.

From CAD and mechanical design to programming, testing, and strategy, our team brings different skills together to make each robot possible. Everyone has something to contribute.

BUILT TOGETHER
↗
04 / SUPPORT US

HELP US BUILD WHAT'S NEXT.

Support from local businesses, mentors, and our community helps us access materials, tools, and equipment. Sponsorship, technical advice, and fabrication support all make a difference.

SUPPORT FTC 6198
↗
FTC TEAM 6198 / ABOUT US

MORE THAN A ROBOT.
A TEAM.

We're Lobster Machine, a student robotics team learning to turn ambitious ideas into real engineering solutions. Each season gives us a new problem to solve, new skills to develop, and another chance to improve together.

6198OUR FTC TEAM NUMBER
DESIGNTHINK, TEST, IMPROVE
TOGETHERONE TEAM, SHARED GOALS
01 / OUR STORY

How We Got Here

Lobster Machine brings students together through FIRST Tech Challenge robotics. We learn by designing mechanisms, building prototypes, writing code, and testing what works.

02 / WHAT WE DO

Engineering in Action

Our work goes beyond assembling a robot. We plan mechanisms, create CAD models, program autonomous and driver-controlled behavior, test performance, and improve our designs based on results.

03 / OUR SKILLS

How We Work

  • Mechanical design and fabrication
  • CAD and prototyping
  • Java programming and testing
  • Driver practice and strategy
  • Outreach and communication
04 / OUR IMPACT

Beyond Competition

We want robotics to make engineering more accessible to other students. Through outreach, collaboration, and sharing what we learn, we hope to help more people explore science, technology, and design.

05 / AWARDS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Progress Worth Celebrating

Add your team's official awards, tournament placements, judging recognitions, engineering milestones, and outreach accomplishments here.

  • [Season] — [Award or accomplishment]
  • [Competition] — [Result]
  • [Team milestone] — [Description]
LOBSTER MACHINE / ENGINEER. BUILD. COMPETE.
FTC TEAM 6198 / ENGINEERING

DESIGNED TO
PERFORM.

Every robot starts with a problem to solve. Our team plans, designs, builds, programs, and tests mechanisms to create a robot that works reliably under competition conditions.

Lobster Machine competition robot
THE MACHINE

Designed, built, and tested by our team.

Our current robot, from the mechanisms we design to the code that brings it to life.

01 / MECHANICAL

Design & Build

We explore mechanisms, create CAD models, choose materials, and build prototypes. Testing helps us identify weak points and make the design more dependable.

02 / SOFTWARE

Programming

Our programming includes driver-controlled movement, motor control, sensors, and autonomous routines. We test code repeatedly to make the robot's behavior more consistent.

03 / PERFORMANCE

Testing & Iteration

We test speed, accuracy, repeatability, and reliability, then use what we learn to decide what to improve next.

04 / STRATEGY

Competition Ready

We consider match strategy, driver practice, pit preparation, and teamwork. Our goal is to make both the robot and the team ready for competition.

OUR PROCESS

Ideas become engineering.

STEP 01

Understand the Challenge

Review the game rules, identify objectives, and plan a strategy.

STEP 02

Design the Solution

Sketch ideas, compare mechanisms, and create CAD models where useful.

STEP 03

Build and Program

Assemble the robot, develop its software, and test individual systems.

STEP 04

Improve and Compete

Use practice runs and competition results to find the next improvement.

LOBSTER MACHINE / ENGINEER. BUILD. COMPETE.
FTC TEAM 6198 / COMPETITION

READY FOR
THE FIELD.

Competition brings every part of robotics together: the machine, the code, the drivers, the strategy, and the team. We use every match as a chance to learn and improve.

Lobster Machine at an FTC competition
IN THE FIELD

Preparation meets performance.

A snapshot from a match, pit setup, or event day—where our robot and teamwork come together.

OUR COMPETITION RECORD

Every match teaches us something.

2025–26
DECODE

Suburban Northwest League Tournament

Team information and results can be expanded here with official placements, awards, and event details.

2026–27
CURRENT SEASON

Building the next iteration

Add this season's event dates, rankings, awards, and match results as they become official.

01 / PREPARATION

Practice with purpose

Driver practice, autonomous testing, robot inspections, and pit preparation help us show up ready.

02 / STRATEGY

Think beyond one match

We evaluate match goals, robot capabilities, alliance coordination, and the reliability of each mechanism.

LOBSTER MACHINE / ENGINEER. BUILD. COMPETE.
FTC TEAM 6198 / OUTREACH

ROBOTICS
BEYOND US.

Robotics is more than what happens at a competition. We want to help other students discover engineering, experiment with technology, and see how ideas can become real.

Lobster Machine outreach at a Montessori school
01 / EDUCATION

Montessori School

Introduced elementary students to foundational STEM ideas and helped them explore science and technology.

Lobster Machine outreach at Kohl Children's Museum
02 / COMMUNITY

Kohl Children's Museum

Ran a station for young children and parents to introduce them to FIRST and student robotics.

Hands-on STEM activity led by Lobster Machine
03 / HANDS-ON LEARNING

Make STEM approachable

Demonstrations and activities help students interact with technology rather than only watching from the sidelines.

04 / COLLABORATION

Share what we learn

We value relationships with other teams, educators, engineers, and community organizations. We want each visit to make robotics feel more accessible and give students a chance to ask questions, experiment, and learn by doing.

WORK WITH US

Let's bring robotics to more students.

Interested in hosting a demonstration, school visit, or STEM activity? Contact the team to discuss opportunities.

LOBSTER MACHINE / ENGINEER. BUILD. COMPETE.
FTC TEAM 6198 / THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE ROBOT

MEET THE
TEAM.

Every robot is the result of a team effort. Our students bring different ideas, skills, and perspectives to Lobster Machine. Meet the people behind the robot, from design and programming to build, outreach, and team operations.

Lobster Machine FTC Team 6198 group photo
ONE TEAM. MANY SKILLS.

The people behind the robot.

Use a team group photo here. The frame is intentionally rectangular—not a wide banner—and scales down cleanly on phones.

MEET THE PEOPLE

Every role moves us forward.

Irtaza Haider
Team Captain

Irtaza Haider

Helps coordinate the team, organize goals, and keep projects moving.

Ryan Scott
Mechanical Design

Ryan Scott

Works on robot mechanisms, construction, and design improvements.

Aoun Jawa
Programming

Aoun Jawa

Develops robot control code, tests features, and helps debug problems.

Ekaagar Brar
CAD & Fabrication

Ekaagar Brar

Creates digital designs and helps turn concepts into physical parts.

Rayyan Bhatty
Build & Assembly

Rayyan Bhatty

Supports robot construction, assembly, repairs, and preparation.

Anat Parikh
Outreach & Operations

Anat Parikh

Supports team communication, outreach, and sponsor relations.

Team Member 07
Engineering

Team Member 07

Helps design, build, and test the robot's mechanical systems.

Anaiza Zaki
Outreach & Operations

Anaiza Zaki

Supports team communication, outreach, and sponsor relations.

Kevin Jayaneth
Build & Assembly

Kevin Jayaneth

Supports robot construction, assembly, repairs, and preparation.

Aiden Hawthorn
Team Operations

Aiden Hawthorn

Contributes to planning, documentation, communication, and team goals.

LOBSTER MACHINE / ENGINEER. BUILD. COMPETE.
FTC TEAM 6198 / PARTNERSHIPS

HELP US BUILD
WHAT'S NEXT.

Student robotics combines engineering, programming, creativity, and teamwork. Support from local businesses and community members helps us access the resources needed to keep learning and improving.

Invest in the next generation of engineers.

Your support helps students gain hands-on experience solving real problems. Financial contributions are valuable, but materials, fabrication, technical mentorship, and access to equipment can also make a meaningful difference.

01 / FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Sponsorship

Sponsorship can help cover robot components, tools, competition expenses, replacement parts, and other season-related costs.

02 / MATERIALS

Parts & Equipment

Donations of suitable materials, fasteners, electronics, workshop supplies, and tools can help us prototype ideas and repair our robot.

03 / TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Engineering & Mentorship

Engineers and technical professionals can share knowledge, review designs, explain manufacturing, or mentor students as they solve problems.

04 / FABRICATION

Manufacturing Partnerships

Access to 3D printing, machining, laser cutting, or other appropriate fabrication services can help us turn digital designs into working components.

05 / SPONSOR RECOGNITION

How We Give Back

  • Recognition on our website
  • Logo placement on team materials, when permitted
  • Thank-you posts and sponsor acknowledgments
  • Updates on projects and milestones
  • STEM and engineering engagement opportunities
06 / COMMUNITY

Help Us Grow

We welcome introductions to businesses, engineers, educators, and community organizations interested in supporting student STEM opportunities.

WHERE IT GOES

What your support makes possible.

Every contribution goes straight back into the team and the students on it.

THE ROBOT

Parts, tools & prototypes

Motors, sensors, electronics, structural parts, and the materials we use to prototype and repair the robot throughout the season.

THE SEASON

Competition costs

Event registration, travel, replacement parts, and the supplies we need to be ready on match day.

THE COMMUNITY

Outreach & STEM events

Demonstration materials and activities that help us bring robotics to schools, museums, and younger students.

THE STUDENTS

Hands-on experience

Real engineering, programming, and teamwork experience that students carry well beyond robotics.

OUR PARTNERS

Thank you for supporting student engineering.

TEAM PARTNER

Rewind Analog

Vintage camera company based in California.

Visit Rewind Analog ↗
TEAM PARTNER

Leopardo Construction

Construction company based in Hoffman Estates.

Visit Leopardo Construction ↗
OUR BACKING NONPROFIT

Backed by Horseshoe Club.

OFFICIAL 501(c)(3) NONPROFIT

Lobster Machine is backed by Horseshoe Club, an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations made to our team go through Horseshoe Club, which means supporters give through a registered nonprofit rather than directly to individual students. Your gift may be tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Please check with your own tax advisor.

STEP 01

1
Send a check

Make your check payable to Horseshoe Club and mail it using the address in the section below.

STEP 02

2
Name it to our team

Write 6198 Lobster Machine on the memo line so your donation is directed to our team.

STEP 03

3
Horseshoe Club processes it

Once your check has been received and processed by Horseshoe Club, the funds are credited to Team 6198.

STEP 04

4
Get your receipt

After your check is sent and processed, you can request your official donation receipt for your records. Contact us and we will help you get it.

MONETARY DONATIONS

Ways to contribute.

Checks to BHS Robotics

Mail to 616 W. Main Street, Barrington, IL 60010. Write FTC Team 6198 on the memo line.

Checks to Horseshoe Club

Make the check payable to Horseshoe Club and write “6198 Lobster Machine” on the memo line. Mail to [Horseshoe Club mailing address].

Horseshoe Club's nonprofit tax ID (EIN): [EIN]

Please contact the team before sending a donation if you need confirmation of the current process or payment details.

QUESTIONS

Good to know.

Is my donation tax-deductible?

Horseshoe Club is an official 501(c)(3), so eligible donations may be deductible. Keep your receipt and ask your tax advisor about your situation.

Can I give materials or services?

Yes. Parts, tools, fabrication, and mentorship all help. Email us and we'll talk through what works best.

Can my business be recognized?

Absolutely. We recognize sponsors on this website and on team materials where permitted.

Who do I contact?

Reach out anytime on our Contact page or at LobsterMachineBHS@gmail.com.

LET'S CONNECT

Support Lobster Machine.

Interested in sponsoring, mentoring, donating materials, or discussing a partnership? Contact our team.

Team: Lobster Machine — FTC 6198

Email:

LOBSTER MACHINE / ENGINEER. BUILD. COMPETE.
FTC TEAM 6198 / CONTACT

LET'S TALK
ROBOTICS.

Questions, sponsorship ideas, outreach invitations, or just want to say hi? Reach Lobster Machine any of these ways.

@
EMAIL

LobsterMachineBHS@gmail.com

Best for sponsors, outreach requests, and general questions.
IG
INSTAGRAM

@your_instagram_handle

Follow along for match days, build updates, and team photos.
GH
GITHUB

github.com/your-team

See our robot code and software projects.
LOC
LOCATION

Barrington, Illinois

616 W. Main Street, Barrington, IL 60010
Tap to open in Maps ↗
WORK WITH US

Sponsor, mentor, or invite us.

We'd love to hear from local businesses, engineers, educators, and community groups. Learn how to support the team on our Sponsor page.

LOBSTER MACHINE / ENGINEER. BUILD. COMPETE.