Our 2017-2018 Team
We are a group of high school students in Fremont. We formed this team in Spring 2016, while we were in our last year of junior high. We decided to form this team because we saw the value of FTC for each and every one of us. We started with not much experience, but we have learned so much in just our rookie year! By joining FTC, we learned so many new skills such as programming, and CAD design, and there’s so much more to learn!
Avikam founded Innov8rz in Spring of 2016. He is a high-school sophomore with over 4 years of experience in software development in many languages, such as Python, Java, and Swift. He has developed many applications, from multi-platform desktop applications to native applications for the iOS platform. Many of his apps are already in the Apple App Store and have been downloaded and used by thousands. Avikam enjoys taking rigorous courses in the math and science fields, especially Calculus and Physics. With extensive hands-on experience in software development, CAD design, web design, sensors and electronics, he is ready to take on any challenge! Avikam knows how to have fun outdoors and indoors and loves to swim, ski, play the clarinet, and play video games!
Alvin ZhangHead of CAD Division
Alvin is a 14-year old sophomore student that goes to Mission San Jose High School. Alvin enjoys Boy Scouts a lot, and is very active in his troop. Alvin is a cheerful guy who works well with most people. He respects others, and likes to help other people.
Samridh BhattacharjeeHead of Build Division
Samridh is a sophomore residing in Fremont. A hands-on person, loves to build, he has been tinkering with robotics since his early childhood. Sam’s first exposure to competitive robotics was through First Lego League (FLL) where he built a robot to complete various missions using Lego Mindstorm’s EV3. Sam’s forte includes mechanical design both CAD and hardware, controlling the robot in the field, outreach and fund raising. He is very zealous about business leadership, entrepreneurship and thrives on challenges.
Anurag KacheMember, Build Division
Anurag is a sophomore in Fremont. He brings a lot of skills to the table including engineering, programming, and much more! On the other hand, the most important fact about him is that he is a very caring, friendly, social, and committed worker for any task.
Arshad MohammadMember, Software Division
Arshad is a sophomore who loves photography, reading, music, and of course coding. She’s had a growing passion for not only coding but also all types of digital creations. She has more than two years of experience in Java, Python, and HTML and CSS. Other than robotics she is involved in teaching STEM to underrepresented elementary schools, gymnastics, and is currently learning her fourth language! She hopes to learn and face new challenges through FTC and eventually use her skills to help her community one day.
Mathew JosephMember, Software Division
Mathew is a 14 year old student at Irvington high school that who is proud to be part of Innov8rz. He was part of a FLL team for 4 years and was mainly part of the programing team. In the FLL team they went to regionals 3 times in a row. He is the main leader for his Boy Scout troop 199. He participates in Parliamentary debate and track and field. He has gone to numerous debate tournaments and has found continued success in each tournament. While only being a freshman, he is already in varsity distance track and field team. He loves play with his family – two little sisters and one baby brother.
Saaketh GunukulaMember, CAD Division
Saaketh, a fun and energetic kid, is a sophomore who lives in Fremont, California. He has 2 years of experience in the mechanical division of robotics, as well as CAD and Javascript experience. He first started robotics 2 years ago when he joined his 7th grade school’s robotics team, where he lead the mechanical division of his team. His team entered the qualifier tournament for their division, and had won first place. Joining the Innov8rz has opened a door of opportunities for Saaketh, and he hopes that he can pursue a career robotics in the future.
Xuyang ChenMember, CAD Division
Xuyang is currently in 9th grade at Irvington High. He has an interest in robotics and programming since elementary school, but Innov8rz is his first competitive robotics experience. He has experience with Vex, Robot C, and Java (not to mention years with Lego Mindstorms), some are self-learned, but Vex and Robot C are from his Junior High’s robotics club. In his free time, he mainly codes, but most of it is spent on Windows computer games.