Robotic Cardinals bring passion for robotics to local and global stages

June 03, 2024 | by April Thompson

Lamar University’s robotics team CARDS is showcasing their passion for robotics on local and global stages.  Robotic Cardinals at VEX Worlds Comp

Established in the 2023-2024 academic year, their dedication to education and outreach has led them to establish various programs across southeast Texas, including hosting their own robotics competition earlier this year. 

"One of our key values in our program is service, as we believe it is important to use our gifts and knowledge to help others around us. We have worked this year to establish programs which provide our members the opportunity to make a difference in our community,” CARDS member Bobby Barton said. “This year we were able to help start our mentor robotics teams in Beaumont ISD, Port Arthur ISD, Barbers Hill ISD, and the Texas Academy. We also were able to host robotics workdays with GT-TAME, inspire students at events such as the BISD STEM Night and Discover Engineering, and volunteer at and even host robotics competitions for hundreds of students.” 

LU’s CARDS team, supported by the university's College of Engineering and sponsored by Motiva Enterprises and ExxonMobil, featured four sophomores: Bobby Barton, Reese Rodgers, Bryce Feldhausen, and Carlos Viloria. 

Not only have they brought their passion to the southeast Texas community, but they have also showcased their skills on the national stage by participating in the 2024 VEX Robotics World Championship. The VEX Robotics World Championship, presented by the Northrop Grumman Foundation, brought together more than 20,000 students from all 50 states and over 60 countries from April 25 through May 3 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas. 

Robotic Cards“We placed 18th in our division of 58 of some of the best collegiate robotics teams from around the globe,” Barton said. 

After a successful year, the CARDS team has big aspirations for the future. 

“Next year, we plan to grow our competition and outreach team at Lamar. After a great inaugural year for the VEX U CARDS team, I am sure we have the ability to grow and become even more competitive and advance further next season,” Barton said. “We also plan to grow our outreach team so that we are able to send more Lamar students to schools to help mentor more schools and we hope to make an even bigger impact in our community.”