Trial and Error Robotics got to go totally batty this year at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s Annual Trunk-or-Treat. This year, the event was held at the Headquarters parking lot, and our team had the privilege of helping to pass out candy to visiting trick-or-treaters. There were lots of volunteers there passing out candy alongside us. The vehicles were each decorated with different and unique themes. Some vehicles really caught your eye; one had a giant purple dragon inflatable, and another one was decorated like a quidditch field from Harry Potter. 

We decorated one of our mentor’s blue Jeep with a simple black and white theme to match our team colors, and balloons and gears tied around its roll bar. Our mascot was also present, propped against the tailgate next to our LED logo sign. Almost the entire team was able to come out and volunteer to pass out candy, and most of us dressed up in Halloween costumes too. 

Lots of trick-or-treaters came to the Trunk-or-Treat event dressed in some fantastic costumes. There were a few inflatable dinosaur costumes, lots of vampires, a dragon or two, and a cute little duckling, to name a few. The kids were really excited about the event.

The team was able to bring along some of our robots to the event to help pass out candy, last year’s competition bot and Bucketbot. Bucketbot carried candy on top of its lid, and the competition bot drove around and used its grabber to pass out candy. Some of the kids were scared off by the bots, but others were very curious about them and watched the bots as they delivered candy.

Overall, it was an excellent experience for the team. We passed out loads of candy to enthusiastic trick-or-treaters. The team also got a lot of inspiration for our setup next year from the many other Trunk-or-Treat vehicles.