Non-profit · Neuville-sur-Saône, Lyon area · since 2014
Middle and high school students building competition robots
The first French team in the FIRST® Robotics Competition, Robo'Lyon brings together 39 students from Notre-Dame de Bellegarde, aged 13 to 18, and 13 mentors. Every year, four new robots, designed and driven by the students, all the way to the world championship in Houston.
- students
- 39
- mentors
- 13
- FIRST® teams
- 5
- Championship appearances
- 5×
01About us
Much more than a technical project
Computer-aided design, machining, electronics, programming, driving: the students do it all. They also handle communication, sponsorship and the budget.
Projects are run independently by teams of 10 to 15 members, supported by mentors from all walks of life: parents, teachers, engineers, industry professionals and alumni. No prior knowledge is needed to start, just the will to learn.
Protocols
- P.01
Discovery
We explore new skills and ideas.
- P.02
Innovation
Creativity and persistence to solve problems.
- P.03
Impact
We apply what we learn to improve our world.
- P.04
Inclusion
We respect each other and embrace our differences.
- P.05
Teamwork
Stronger together, and we have fun doing it.
I met my best friends and learned a huge amount. Robo'Lyon also helped me find internships.
Louna, alumna
02Crew stations
Roles and skills at Robo'Lyon
Nobody needs to know everything: each member picks one or more areas and learns from older members and mentors.
- R.01
Design (CAD)
The robot is modelled in 3D, part by part, before it is built: mechanisms, assemblies, drawings for the workshop.
- Autodesk Inventor
- R.02
Mechanics and fabrication
Students make and assemble the robot's parts themselves, from cardboard prototype to competition robot.
- 3D printing
- Laser cutting
- Machining
- R.03
Electronics
Wiring, motors, sensors and power: everything that brings the mechanics to life.
- Wiring
- Sensors
- Motors
- R.04
Programming
The code that makes the robot move: autonomous period, driver controls, sensor input.
- Java
- R.05
Driving and strategy
Driver, operator, coach and scouts: analysing matches and opponents to pick the right tactics.
- R.06
Communication
Social media, photo and video, graphic design, and the submissions presented to award judges.
- R.07
Sponsorship and budget
Reaching out to companies, presenting the project and tracking the season's spending.
03Fleet
Five FIRST® teams, for students aged 13 to 18
- FRCActive5553 Robo'Lyon
- FTCActive23147 RBL Tech Makers
- FTCActive26762 RBL Snoops
- FTCActive26796 RBL Engineer Force
- FTCRookie36736 RBL Iron Builders
04Mission cycle
A brand new robot every year
The game changes every season. It is revealed on the same day for every team in the world: early January for FRC, early September for FTC. Then it is time to build.
- Jul – Dec
Pre-season
Now- Summer camp
- Training new members
- Standard mechanisms
- Reaching out to sponsors
- Early January
Kick-off
Now- Game reveal
- Strategy
- 6 weeks
Build season
Now- Design and CAD
- Prototyping
- Machining, assembly
- Testing
- Mar – Apr
Competition
Now- Regionals in France and abroad
- Championship in Houston
- May – Jun
Off-season
Now- Recruitment
- Helping new teams
- Partner events
- Jul – Aug
Pre-season
Now- Summer camp
- Training new members
- Standard mechanisms
- Reaching out to sponsors
- Early September
Kick-off
Now- Game reveal
- Strategy
- Sep – Feb
Build season
Now- Design and CAD
- Prototyping
- Machining, assembly
- Testing
- Jan – Mar
Competition
Now- Regionals in France and abroad
- Improving the robot between events
- Championship in Houston
- Apr – Jun
Off-season
Now- Recruitment
- Helping new teams
- Partner events
05Mission log
Five Championships since 2014
Our teams' results in the FIRST® Robotics Competition and the FIRST® Tech Challenge.
- 2026
- FRCTeam Spirit Award · Yeditepe (Istanbul)
- FTCWinning Alliance · Clermont-Ferrand 26762
- FTCWinning Alliance · Neuville-sur-Saône 23147
- FTCWinning Alliance · Neuville-sur-Saône 26762
- FTCFinalist Alliance · Clermont-Ferrand 23147
- FTCSustain Award · France Championship 23147
- FTCSustain Award · Clermont-Ferrand 26762
- FTCConnect Award · Clermont-Ferrand 23147
- FTCInspire Award, 2nd place · Neuville-sur-Saône 26762
- FTCInspire Award, 3rd place · Neuville-sur-Saône 23147
- FTCControl Award · Neuville-sur-Saône 26796
- 2025
- FRCQualified for the Houston Championship
- FRCEngineering Inspiration Award · Long Island
- FTCWinning Alliance · Clermont-Ferrand 23147
- FTCFinalist Alliance · Neuville-sur-Saône 23147
- FTCFinalist Alliance · Neuville-sur-Saône 26762
- FTCInspire Award, 3rd place · France Championship 23147
- FTCControl Award · France Championship 23147
- FTCFirst FTC regional in France, hosted at Notre-Dame de Bellegarde
- 2024
- FRCCreativity Award
- FTCThink Award · France Championship 23147
- 2023
- FRCQualified for the Houston Championship
- FRCImpact Award · Trois-Rivières
- FRCSafety Award
- 2022
- RFFLaunch of Robotique FIRST France at the French Ministry of Industry, driven by Robo'Lyon
- 2021
- FRCWinner of the Innovation Challenge
- 2020
- FRCQualified for the Houston Championship
- FRCEngineering Inspiration Award · Los Angeles
- 2019
- FRCGracious Professionalism Award
- 2018
- FRCQualified for the Detroit Championship
- FRCEngineering Inspiration Award · Montreal
- 2017
- FRCWinner of the Montreal regional
- FRCQualified for the St. Louis Championship
- FRCChairman's Award · Montreal
- 2016
- FRCSafety Award
- 2015
- FRCEntrepreneurship Award
06Transmissions
Latest news
Our Christmas trees are on sale
Order your tree and help fund the teams' season.
France's first FTC regional, hosted by us
On 18 January, Notre-Dame de Bellegarde hosted the very first FIRST® Tech Challenge regional competition in France, with an all-Robo'Lyon final.
Discovering the FIRST® Tech Challenge
A new group has formed to take part in the world's largest robotics competition for 12 to 18 year-olds.
07Support us
No partners, no robot
An FRC or FTC season means materials, machining and travel abroad. Our partners are featured on our social media, in the press, at trade shows and at competitions.
- M.01Technical resourcesParts manufacturing, shipping crates, premises
- M.02Equipment donationsWhat is no longer top-notch for you can be for the team
- M.03MentoringTechnical, marketing or communication mentors
- M.04Corporate sponsorshipRobo'Lyon fits your company's CSR policy
- M.05Invite us to your eventsAround robotics and new technologies
Make a donation
Every donation helps pay for parts, competition fees and student travel.
Donate via HelloAsso- Support young people who give their time and energy without counting.
- Join an international community of companies and universities supporting FIRST®.
- Get our sponsorship kit: contact us.
21 partners by our side
The school has hosted the team, its workshop and its students since Robo'Lyon was founded. Essential support, without which nothing would be possible.
Institutions and foundations 2
Companies 13
Associations and clubs 5
Your logo here? Become a partner →
08Recruitment
A student at Notre-Dame de Bellegarde? Join the team
Recruitment is open only to students of Notre-Dame de Bellegarde middle and high school. The team renews itself every year when seniors graduate: we are looking for motivated students, not experts.
- 01Online questionnaireBefore 15 June.
- 02Cover letterSent to the team by e-mail.
- 03Summer camp, early JulyOne week to discover how we work and to work as a team.
It is a regular commitment: Wednesday afternoons, weekends, school holidays, and evenings during competition season (January to March).
Apply for 2026–2027
09Communication channel
Come and visit
- Address
- Association Robo'Lyon
22 avenue Gambetta
69250 Neuville-sur-Saône, France - contact@robolyon.com
- Getting here
- 40From central Lyon, stop Notre-Dame de Bellegarde
- 70From Part-Dieu station, stop Notre-Dame de Bellegarde
- TERAlbigny-Neuville train station
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