Designed and built a custom dual-motor gearbox mounting two FRC Kraken X60 brushless motors side by side
Built the two-stage 12:1 reduction from WCP (West Coast Products) FRC parts: 5:1 on #25 chain, then 2.4:1 from a WCP 15T steel pinion to a 36T aluminum sprocket on #35 chain
Fabricated a precision aluminum bracket with chain drive to transfer dual-motor torque to the rear wheel
Created full vehicle and gearbox CAD in Fusion 360 before cutting any metal
Competed in the 2026 Waterloo EV Challenge as kart #839 — Heat Race #2
Waterloo EV May Race
Introduction
After the October race, we rebuilt the drivetrain from the ground up for the 2026 Waterloo EV Challenge. The goal was more power and better reliability — so we designed and fabricated a custom dual-motor gearbox around two FRC-grade Kraken X60 brushless motors, competed in Heat Race #2 as kart #839, and walked away with 4 awards including 3rd Place and Top Rookie Team.
Date
May, 2026
ROLES
Lead Engineer
Driver
Functions
Custom WCP Gearbox
2× Kraken X60 (FRC)
Phoenix 6 on Raspberry Pi
What?
How?
Iterated from a 3D printed CAD mockup to a machined aluminum gearbox bracket
Controlled both motors from a Raspberry Pi running CTRE Phoenix 6 (Python) in velocity mode, talking to the Krakens' built-in Talon FX controllers over CAN through a CANivore
Read the hall-effect throttle pedal through an ADS1115 ADC over I²C and turned it into velocity commands
Tuned gear ratios and motor output to balance torque and top speed on the 1 km circuit
Tested all electrical and mechanical systems before race day to ensure reliability under competition loads
Results:
View All Awards →3rd Place — Heat Race #2 at the 2026 Waterloo EV Challenge
Toyota Fabrication & Manufacturing Award — 1st Place
Interstate Batteries Top Rookie Team Award
Interstate Batteries Rookie Team Award
Ran the dual Kraken X60 setup at full race pace for the complete heat
My interview!
