Section 4 - The Robot: FTC Quad Quandary Interactive Manual

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4.1 – Overview

This section provides rules and requirements for the design and construction of your robot. A FIRST Tech Challenge robot is a remotely operated vehicle designed and built by a registered FIRST Tech Challenge student team to perform specific tasks when competing in Quad Quandary. Prior to competing at each event, all robots will have to pass an inspection. Refer to Appendix 1 for the Robot Inspection Guidelines and Appendix 4 for the Inspection Checklist.

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4.2 – Robot Rules

There are specific rules and limitations that apply to the design and construction of your robot. Please ensure that you are familiar with each of these robot rules before proceeding with robot design.

<R1> Only ONE robot will be allowed to compete per team in the FIRST Tech Challenge. Though it is expected that teams will make changes to their robot at the competition, a team is limited to only ONE robot.
a. It is against the intent of this rule to compete with one robot, while a second is being modified or assembled.
b. It is against the intent of this rule to switch back and forth between multiple robots during a competition.

<R2> Every robot will be required to pass a full inspection before being cleared to compete. This inspection will ensure that all FTC robot rules and regulations are met. Initial inspections will take place during team registration/practice time.
a. If significant changes are made to a robot, it must be re-inspected before it will be allowed to compete.
b. All robot configurations must be inspected before being used in competition.
c. Teams may be requested to submit to random spot-inspections by event personnel. Refusal to submit will result in disqualification.
d. Referees or inspectors may decide that a robot is in violation of the rules. In this event, the team in violation will be disqualified and the robot will be barred from the playing field until it passes re-inspection.

For further information on the inspection process please refer to Appendix 1, Robot Inspection Guidelines

<R3> The following types of mechanisms and components are NOT allowed:
a. Those that could potentially damage playing field components.
b. Those that could potentially damage other competing robots.
c. Those that pose an unnecessary risk of entanglement.
d. Those that are designed to flip or tip over goals or other robots.

<R4> At the beginning of any match, the maximum allowed size of a robot is 18” x 18” x 18”.
a. During inspections, robots will be placed into a “sizing box” which has interior dimensions matching the above size constraints. To pass inspection, a robot must fit within the box without exerting ANY force on the box walls or ceiling (i.e., if the robot cannot be held inside the constraints by the box itself).
b. Robots may expand beyond their starting size constraints after the start of a match.
c. Any restraints used to maintain starting size (i.e. zip ties, rubber bands, string, etc.) MUST remain attached to the robot for the duration of the match.


<R5> Robot construction is constrained to the following:
a. Any Official Vex Component may be used (except as limited below).
• Only one (1) Vex Microcontroller
• Up to two (2) Vex Y-Cables
• Up to ten (10) Motors or Servos (Any combination, up to ten)
• Only one (1) Battery Pack from the Vex Power Pack (Vex P/N: 230-0036)
• Up to two (2) RF receivers
• The packaging, manual binders, Styrofoam, cardboard, plastic bags, etc. from the Vex kits are NOT included and CANNOT be used for robot construction. Only the Vex parts themselves are allowed.
• FIRST does NOT allow Vex pneumatics to be used.
• Use of Vexplorer microcontrollers, motors, servos, or other Vexplorer electrical/electronic components is NOT allowed. Only Vexplorer mechanical parts and fasteners are allowed.

b. The following additional components may also be used:
• Ten (10) elastic bands, #32 size only
• 40” of 1/8” Nylon Rope
• 6” of 3/4” Wide Velcro
• 12” x 15” of Non-Slip Pad
• Universal Security Clips to hold PWM connections together, such as those found at
http://www.maxxprod.com/mpi/mpi-3.html
• Any material strictly used as a color filter for a Vex Light Sensor
c. Any parts that are identical to legal Vex parts may be used.
d. Teams may add non-functional decorations from parts not on the above list, provided that these parts are non-functional, do not affect the outcome of the match, are not hazardous to themselves or other teams, and must be in the spirit of “Gracious Professionalism”.
e. No additional components may be used.

<R6> All parts that are used must be tracked through a Bill of Materials (BOM). This list can be included in your Engineering Notebook.

<R7> During inspections if there is a question about whether something is an official Vex component, a team will be required to provide documentation to an inspector, which proves the component’s source. Such types of documentation include receipts, part numbers, or other printed documentation.

<R8> No more than two transmitters may control a single robot during the tournament. No modification of the Vex transmitter is allowed of ANY kind.

<R9> Parts may NOT be modified as follows:
a. Motors, extension cords, sensors, controllers, battery packs, and any other electrical component of the Vex Robotics Design System may NOT be altered from their original state in ANY way.
b. Welding, soldering, brazing, gluing, melting or attaching in any way that is not provided within the Vex System will NOT be allowed.
i. Mechanical fasteners may be secured using Loctite or a similar thread-locking product.
1. This may be used for securing hardware ONLY.

<R10> Robots must display their team number (numerals only, e.g. “106”).
a. The judges, referees, and announcers must be able to easily identify robots by team number.
b. Team number must be visible from two sides of the robot (180 degrees apart).
c. The numerals must each be at least three inches high, at least in 3?4-inch stroke width and in a contrasting color from their background.

<R11> Robot receiver must be accessible by competition personnel.
a. The radio crystals must be easily removed from the robot without any robot disassembly.
b. The radio crystals will be provided to each team for each match.
<R12> Robot controller lights must be clearly visible by a standing referee from 5 ft away.

<R13> Robots must include a mounting device to securely hold one FTC Robot Identification Flag throughout an entire match.
a. The flags will be provided at the event
b. The flag tube dimensions are .250” OD x .200” ID x 8.250” length with a triangular flag 4.000” high x 6.000” wide.
c. The flag-mounting device may not be a non-reinforced antenna tube.

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4.3 – Programming Guidelines

For requirements concerning programming an FTC competition robot (for both autonomous and tele-operated modes), please refer to the Programming Guide in Appendix 2.