What happens when a gas valve is leaking, the room is inaccessible, and the only person on-site has zero technical expertise? You build a robot: from scratch, across the globe.
That was the challenge at the heart of Building Momentum's recent training engagement with 11point2, an innovative engineering company based in Adelaide, Australia. Over three intense days, the 11point2 team didn't just learn — they delivered.
The Scenario
The simulation was designed as a high-stakes disaster response: a gas leak on an offshore oil platform. Kelsey, a temp hire with no technical background, is the only person on-site. She can't access the room containing the valve, the clock is ticking, and the solution has to be automated. Her one advantage? She's standing in a room full of robot parts.
From their offices in Adelaide, the 11point2 team had to accomplish two things simultaneously: build a robot capable of actuating a valve, and remotely guide Kelsey to assemble the same robot on the other side of the world.
The Build
The team divided into specialized units to attack the problem from every angle:
- Arm & Actuator Team — Designed the mechanism to physically turn the valve
- Drive Team — Engineered the robotic chassis and locomotion system
- Programming Team — Developed a custom GUI and Arduino code to control the robot
- Communications Team — Coordinated real-time build instructions to Kelsey
In 72 hours, they produced a fully functional robot with an actuatable arm, a custom control interface, and a cross-continental deployment plan.
The Result
On Day 3, the 11point2 team remotely piloted their robot from Adelaide and successfully closed the leaking gas valve, while simultaneously coaching a non-technical operator halfway around the world through replicating their build.
It was a clean success, achieved under a tight deadline with an added layer of complexity most engineering teams never face.
What It Proves
This wasn't just a training exercise: it was a proof of concept. With the right engineering mindset, structured collaboration, and the ability to communicate clearly under pressure, even the most unconventional problems have solutions.
Building Momentum is proud to have brought that mindset to Australia, and prouder still of what the 11point2 team built with it.