Systemetric
Don't Walk
Do The Robot
About Us
Systemetric is a robotics team comprised of students from the Lower and Upper Sixth (16-18 year olds) at Hills Road Sixth Form College in Cambridge, UK. The team was the first from the United Kingdom to enter into the FIRST Robotics Competition, as Team 759, and has now become a regular competitor at the New York City Regional in the United States since our Rookie year in 2002. We remain as one of only two teams from the UK to compete in the competition, and the only team from the UK to compete in the New York City Regional.
The team also acts as a mentor to FIRST Lego League teams within the eastern region of the United Kingdom. Expansion in recent years has seen us regularly participate in other smaller robotics competitions within the UK, including the Student Robotics competition based at Southampton University, becoming the first team from outside Southampton to participate, and mbed Robot Racing competitions hosted by ARM Microprocessors.
The team’s name comes from the metric system of measurement. The words ‘metric’ and ‘system’ were switched around to create the team name (system metric). The name was chosen as reference to the United States continued use of the imperial system of measurement, where the UK has changed to the metric system.
The team has built up a proud record of achievements, including winning the New York City Regional in 2004. Unfortunately, due to a shortage of funds and the timing of A Level examinations, the team were unable to attend the national finals in Atlanta, Georgia.
Since our British Union Flag waistcoats design was introduced in 2005, the team has become very noticeable at the New York City Regional. Since 2006 the team has also used a well received slogan: “Don’t Walk, Do the Robot”.
Hills Road Sixth Form College
Hills Road Sixth Form College is one of the country’s leading colleges for 16-18 year olds. Students have a large variety of A Level subjects to choose between, typically studying 3 or 4 over their two years at the college. The college also provides a wide range of recreational, academic or vocational Adult Education courses.
As part of the first year at the college, students are required to take an enrichment course in addition to their normal A Level subjects, of which Robotics is an option. Many students stay on in Robotics in their second year at the college, despite not being required to do so, to coordinate the team and help new students get to grips with the skills they need.
You can read more about the college on its website.
