Who We Are
The IEEE Robotics and Automation Society (RAS) is a student-driven, project-focused organization dedicated to making robotics accessible to everyone, regardless of their background. We warmly welcome students from all majors, years, and experience levels to join and discover a project that suits their interests.
RAS is comprised of four technical committees: GHOST, Stampede, Demobots, and Robotathon.
GHOST
VEXU GHOST is a competitive committee that competes in VEX U, a 2v2 robotics sport competition, and VEX AI, a competition similar to VEX U but fully autonomous. The committee's robotic projects are primarily centered around high-level automation and software development, computer vision, and rapid mechanical prototyping. GHOST won the 2025 VEX AI World Championship and many distingushed award last year!
Stampede
Stampede is our second competitive committee that competes in the Advanced Robotics Competition (ARC), a 3v3 and 1v1 robotics shooter competition. The committee's projects focus on custom manufacturing, computer vision, power management, and control systems.
Demobots
Demobots is a non-competitive committee focused on creative projects for building fun and experimental mechatronic and robotics systems. Our most famous Demobot, Couchbot, can be seen driving around campus.
Robotathon
Robotathon is our second non-competitive committee that hosts our annual introductory robotics competition where students use a robotics kit to create a remote-controlled robot capable of color, line, and wall sensing and autonomous controls within two months.
Through these hands-on, multi-disciplinary projects, we allow students to develop industry-relevant skills in embedded systems, mechanical design, and software development, strengthening their collaboration and communication skills essential for real-world engineering.
Beyond competitions, we actively support initiatives that inspire the next generation of engineers, whether it’s through showcases and open houses, such as UT Austin’s Robot Parade, Girls Day, World of Engineering, Camp Texas, and Girl Scouts coding projects, or volunteering at local K-12 robotics competitions in Austin.
What We’re Fundraising For
We are fundraising to source relevant materials, components, and equipment for building all of our robots, expand our Robotathon competition to allow more students to participate and learn, help our committees register for their annual competitions, and scale our initiative of providing access to robotics education.
Supporting many concurrent project committees is only possible through external funding. Your support enables us to continue offering inclusive opportunities that inspire and nurture the next generation of leaders in STEM fields. We humbly ask you to join us in our mission to empower young innovators and shape the future of robotics education. Your support enables us to continue offering inclusive opportunities that inspire and nurture the next generation of leaders in STEM fields.
Thank you for considering our cause and investing in the diverse talents and potential of our members.
We appreciate your support, and help us make robotics more accessible for all!
IEEE Robotics and Automation Society
Visit our website and follow us on social media!
Website: https://ras.ece.utexas.edu/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ut_i...
Gifts to UT IEEE Robotics and Automation Society contribute to...
Advocates 📣
Community Advocates
Generated 3273 clicks and 310 gifts, totaling $35,401Soh Nishiyama
Generated 302 clicks and 116 gifts, totaling $19,672Luke Mastrian
Generated 339 clicks and 233 gifts, totaling $18,348David Griffin
Generated 170 clicks and 61 gifts, totaling $11,515Randall Ford
Generated 113 clicks and 16 gifts, totaling $5,825Anna Boxall
Generated 294 clicks and 21 gifts, totaling $3,765Mark Carella
Generated 130 clicks and 18 gifts, totaling $3,717Victoria Mena
Generated 96 clicks and 7 gifts, totaling $3,560Sam Zarou
Generated 71 clicks and 21 gifts, totaling $3,260Katelyn Rood
Generated 173 clicks and 16 gifts, totaling $3,233
Advocates, you have until 10:00 p.m. CST to solidify your rankings. Good luck!
Gift Count Leaders
1. Luke Mastrian – 232
2. Soh Nishiyama – 116
3. David Griffin – 59
4. Jacob – 38
5. Rizky Pratama – 29
Dollars Raised Leaders
1. Soh Nishiyama – $19,672
2. Luke Mastrian – $18,338
3. David Griffin – $11,414.60
4. Randall Ford – $5,675
5. Mark Carella – $3,717
Winners will be announced on May 1.
34 days ago by Pablo MoraLonghorns, this is the final sprint of 40 Hours for the Forty Acres!
Make your final gift now and help push us across the finish line at 10:00 p.m. CST.
Competing on a leaderboard? Every gift and share can still change the standings and this is your last chance to claim advocate incentives.
34 days ago by Pablo MoraFinal hour, Advocates! Nothing is locked in! Every share and every gift can still change the leaderboard. The top five advocates in each challenge earn extra match dollars for the designation of their choice.
Gift Count Leaders
1. Luke Mastrian – 231
2. Soh Nishiyama – 116
3. David Griffin – 59
4. Jacob – 38
5. Leonard Ali Wako Memon – 25
Dollars Raised Leaders
1. Soh Nishiyama – $19,672
2. Luke Mastrian – $18,288
3. David Griffin – $11,414.60
4. Randall Ford – $5,675
5. Mark Carella – $3,717
One final update will be placed on the 40 for Forty site at 9:30 p.m. CST.
34 days ago by Pablo MoraHere’s where things stand right now in our Advocate Challenges. Every share and every gift counts, nothing is locked in yet. Remember that the top five advocates for each challenge get additional match dollars for a designation of their choice.
Current Leaders
Advocate Challenge: Gift Count Highlighting the advocates who have generated the highest number of gifts so far:
1. Luke Mastrian - 189 gifts
2. Soh Nishiyama - 76 gifts
3. David Griffin - 48 gifts
4. Jacob - 27 gifts
5. Leonard Ali Wako Memon - 23 gifts
Advocate Challenge: Dollars Raised Highlighting the advocates who have generated the highest cumulative dollars so far:
1. Soh Nishiyama - $13,950
2. Luke Mastrian - $13,428
3. David Griffin - $9,695
4. Randall Ford - $5,475
5. Mark Carella - $3,567
Huge thanks to our advocates who are pushing hard and setting the pace. Leaders, defend your spot as we make our way to the 10:00 p.m. CST finish line!
34 days ago by Pablo MoraWe’re excited to share a snapshot of the current standings in our two Advocate Challenges during 40 Hours for the Forty Acres. These rankings reflect where things stand right now and there’s still plenty of time to keep moving up! Remember that the top five advocates in each challenge get additional match dollars for a designation of their choice.
Advocate Challenge: Gift Count Highlighting the advocates who have generated the highest number of gifts so far:
1. Luke Mastrian - 156 gifts
2. Soh Nishiyama - 35 gifts
3. David Griffin - 26 gifts
4. Jacob - 18 gifts
5. Leonard Ali Wako Memon - 15 gifts
Advocate Challenge: Dollars Raised Highlighting the advocates who have generated the highest cumulative dollars so far:
1. Luke Mastrian - $8,943
2. Soh Nishiyama - $5,960
3. David Griffin - $4,945
4. Randall Ford - $4,375
5. Emily Quigley - $2,376
A huge thank you to everyone who has already stepped up as an advocate. Your outreach, enthusiasm, and commitment are powering 40 Hours for the Forty Acres.
Keep sharing your links, keep spreading the word, and keep up the great work, we can’t wait to see how these leader boards shift as we approach the finish on April 30 at 10 p.m. CST!
35 days ago by Pablo Mora