Rishab Manas
Captain
I handle logistics for the team, such as finances and fundraising. I also lead major hardware decisions, and run the software division, writing our autonomous routines and driver controls.
About us
The Team
Founded in late 2024. No coach, no help from experienced people. We're just seven students pushing what a self-run VEX team can do.
Our mission
Build competitively. Bring others with us.
Rogue Robotics is a student-led VEX V5 team focused on engineering, teamwork, and growth. We build competitive robots while creating opportunities for younger students to learn design, coding, strategy, and leadership.
Everything the team produces is driven by us: the robot, the notebook, the budgets, the workshops.
Our Pushback robot, 98721F.
Our history
Two seasons, one very steep curve
Founded in late 2024, Rogue Robotics is a fully self-mentored high school team from Fremont, California, striving to push the boundaries of what student-led VEX Robotics teams can accomplish. Starting out as middle schoolers mid-season during the 2024–2025 High Stakes game was a trial-and-error process — we had to learn all the new parts, electronics, and game strategy entirely on our own.
Though our rookie year was tough and filled with learning experiences, we came into the 2025–2026 Pushback season determined to turn things around. We started the season ranked near the bottom, barely qualifying for elimination rounds, but through countless hours of iteration both during and outside of meetings, we continually improved. Our hard work paid off when we earned the Judges Award and reached the quarter-finals at the Redwood competition.
Pushing even further, we traveled to Sacramento, fought our way to the semi-finals, and won the Design Award for our engineering notebook, live-judged interview, and design process — officially earning our spot at the State Championship.
Beyond competing, we are committed to making a lasting community impact by inspiring the next generation of engineers.
Rogue Robotics 98721F
We hosted a showcase at Thornton Middle School to demonstrate how to form and run a self-guided robotics team, and we recently hosted a STEM summer camp teaching local kids how to build, program, and document their own robots. Today, Rogue Robotics continues to grow independently, aiming to make it to the VEX World Championship while inspiring our local community along the way.
In the pits between matches.
Roster
Seven students, seven jobs
Colin Southard
Captain
I coordinate timelines and help guide the major design decisions that move the robot forward. I prototype and test new mechanisms, and help run our outreach efforts.
Shreyas Kanneganti
Hardware
I work on the mechanical side of the robot - designing, assembling, and improving key systems, then testing them so they hold up reliably in matches.
Siddharth Velayutham
Driver
I drive the robot during matches and keep the team performing under pressure. Between rounds I work with hardware to tune the robot around how it actually handles.
Srikari Mudunuri
Notebook Lead
I manage the engineering notebook, recording our progress and making sure our work is clearly presented. I also support the software division and document our programming work.
Aatman Shah
Strategy Lead
I lead strategic planning, developing match tactics in real time for our driver to follow, and work with software to plan autonomous routes.
Ajay Kolappa
Hardware
I help design, build, and maintain the robot’s mechanical systems, and keep our hardware reliable through practices and matches.
Work with us
Want to support a fully student-run team?
We are looking for community partners who believe in student-led engineering and hands-on STEM education.