Team 612’s Switch to Swerve

Chantilly, VA, November 6th, 2025. Chantilly Robotics is making the switch to a swerve drivetrain. In past years, 612 has used a mecanum drivetrain but will upgrade to swerve since it’s faster and more nimble to improve their robot.

Swerve is a type of drivetrain which is the part of the robot that allows it to move. Last year’s competition the team noticed that everyone else’s robots were using swerve. Although Chantilly Robotics planned on using swerve, they weren’t fully committed and unfamiliar with the motor they used, called Kraken. This made it clear that 612’s robot was falling technologically behind. Whilst last year 612 was focused on refining other parts of the robot, this year the team has time during preseason to take the time to learn swerve and use it on the robot.

Swerve has two different motors on each wheel of the robot. One motor controls the direction that the robot will go, and the other motor controls the speed of the robot. This is an upgrade because each wheel can move independently, making the robot smoother and more agile compared to a mecanum. In past years, Chantilly Robotics has struggled with swerve since it is very mechanically and programmatically complex.

This year 612 will use Neo motors instead of Kraken, which they are more comfortable with and are currently practicing using during preseason. 612 is in the beginning phases of learning swerve this preseason however are glad on the outlook of their progress. In summary, Chantilly Robotics will commit to using swerve this year to improve their robots' output for the competition.

About Chantilly Robotics 

Chantilly Robotics (FRC team 612) brightens the future for leaders and student technologists  within our team, school, and community through fun and engaging methods of learning and  teaching while shining a light on the importance of STEM (science, technology, engineering,  math).  

Founded in 2001 with eight student members as an engineering class project, Chantilly  Robotics is one of the largest extracurricular organizations at Chantilly High School with over  100 registered members each year. Team 612 competes at FIRST Robotics Competitions in the  Chesapeake District. Outside of competition Team 612 supports multiple FIRST Lego League  Teams and elementary school STEM activities in the Chantilly High School Pyramid, spreading  love for STEM as well as FIRST values through community outreach.  

For more information, visit https://www.frc612.org or email chantilly.612@gmail.com. The  Chantilly Governor’s STEM Academy, located at Chantilly High School, sponsors Team 612.  Chantilly Academy inspires and empowers a diverse body of learners to explore career  pathways employing current industry trends taught by dedicated professionals.

For more information on sponsoring Team 612 refer to the attached Sponsor Package.

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