Competition
FIRST Robotics Competition, or FRC, is a sport of the mind for students grades 9 through 12. In early January each year, FIRST unveils a new game challenge. Teams worldwide have 6-weeks to design, build and program a robot to effectively "play" the year's game. Students complete the task, from brainstorm to programming to driving the robot with the help of adult mentors. Throughout March and early April, teams compete at regional competitions around the country to build alliances and earn the chance to vie for the title of Champion at the World Championship in late-April.
The 2012 Game: Rebound Rumble
The 2012 FIRST Robotics Competition game, “Rebound Rumble,” centers itself around a familiar sphere: the basketball. The objective is familiar: Score more points than the opposing team. But how to accomplish this goal when there are four baskets, positioned in a diamond shaped pattern with at different heights: 28”, 61”, and a high goal at 98” off the floor. The points awarded for these goals vary with height, one point for the bottom, two for the middle, and three points for the top.
Each 2 minute-15 second match is played by two competing Alliances composed of three robots. At the beginning of every match, there will be a 15-second Hybrid Period. During this time, the robots operate independently of their drivers with the exception of one robot. This robot may be controlled by a human player using an Xbox Kinect. During the Hybrid Period, each goal scored counts as three additional bonus points. For the remainder of the match, drivers control robots and try to score as many points as possible.
Various obstacles litter the field impeding robots’ motion. In front of the baskets there is a barrier preventing robots from crashing into the baskets themselves. In the middle of the field there is a raised 4” x 6” rectangular barrier plus three bridges. Robots can either drive over the barrier or use the bridges to cross from one end of the 27’ x 54’ carpeted field.
The only way for a robot to acquire additional basketballs is from a special return lane alongside the field. Balls will be placed into play by a human player standing to the side of the hoops. Each alliance, however, also has a special designated safe area “at the top of the key” to position themselves into range to score baskets.
Additionally, this year's game places extra value on cooperation even between opposing Alliances. If two robots from opposing alliances successfully balance on the same white “Coopertition” bridge at the end of the match, both teams will receive points equivalent to winning the match. This way, teams are rewarded for being both fierce competitors and friendly collaborators to achieve a goal.
