Mumbai, Maharashtra Apr 23, 2025 (Issuewire.com) - In a historic moment for India’s STEM and innovation landscape, Team R Factor 6024, a student-led robotics team headquartered in Mumbai, has become the first-ever Indian team to win the esteemed Engineering Inspiration Award at the FIRST Robotics World Championship. Held in Houston, USA, from April 16–19, the global competition featured over 600 high school teams from nearly 30 countries.
Team R Factor received this top Division-level honour in the Johnson Division, with judges commending the team’s deep-rooted outreach initiatives and dedication to promoting engineering and STEM awareness across India. The Engineering Inspiration Award is one of the most coveted recognitions at the event, celebrating teams that significantly foster respect and appreciation for engineering within their schools and communities.
In their official remarks, the judges shared:
“This team rises to the top through efforts and partnerships. Robotics is more than engineering. It’s a sport, it’s therapy, it’s a lifeline for students in rural communities. They build. They code. They train and design. This team established the sustainable practices of FIRST in their state. This team does it all! They have the STARRRRR factor.”
A National Team with Global Impact
Comprising 19 students from grades 8 to 12 across schools in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, and Goa, Team R Factor is known for its self-reliant spirit—designing, wiring, and programming their robots entirely on their own, without professional engineering assistance. They work out of Mind Factory, a creative space in Mumbai, under the mentorship of Nilesh Shah and Parul Shah.
Their 2025 season robot, affectionately named The Goldfish, has been central to their success.
Team Members:
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Oberoi International School, Mumbai: Rinaesa Dedhia, Samridhi Swarup, Prapti Doshi, Ridhan Dedhia, Saksham Gupta, Rachit Jain, Arjun Vashistha
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PACE Junior College, Mumbai: Aryan Warke
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DSB International School, Mumbai: Aditi Shah
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Jamnabai Narsee School, Mumbai: Arjun Manmohan
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Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, Pune: Alisha Savant
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The Cathedral & John Connon School, Mumbai: Aarav Gupta, Arjun Kejriwal, Aryaman Kejriwal
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Witty International School, Mumbai: Neel Mistry
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Sharada Mandir School, Goa: Sai Pranav Gandhi
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Rajhans Vidyalaya, Mumbai: Saachi Bafna
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Singapore International School, Mumbai: Amaatra Narayan
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Global Academy at ASU Prep: Jahnavi Balaji
Engineering Change Beyond the Arena
Outside of competition, R Factor continues to champion STEM advocacy across India. Their impactful initiatives include:
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Lobbying the Goa government to integrate STEM education into public schools
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Conducting hands-on robotics workshops at top engineering colleges tech fests
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Engaging with over 800 corporates at the Automation Expo
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Partnering with the InfinityX STEM Foundation to scale their outreach nationwide
Their work serves as a model for how student-driven robotics can spark educational and social transformation.
A Legacy of Excellence
R Factor’s 2025 season has been nothing short of remarkable. After winning the Imagery Award at the FIRST Long Island Regional and the Engineering Inspiration Award at the Phantom Lakes Regional, they secured a berth at the World Championship, culminating in this historic win.
As India’s first FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) team, R Factor has been a pioneer in the global robotics arena for over a decade. With six World Championship appearances and four major awards, they live by their motto: "Winning Hearts with Winning Efforts."
The team is now looking to expand its partnerships with industry leaders and government bodies. Interested collaborators can reach out at nilesh.shah@mindfactory.org.in or follow the team on Instagram at @team6024.
Watch the Award Ceremony
Media Contact
Mind Factory nilesh.shah@mindfactory.org.in
