What Is FIRST Tech Challenge?

FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) is a robotics program run by FIRST for students roughly 12 to 18 years old. Each season FIRST releases a new game, and teams design, build and program a robot to play it. The robot matters, but FTC is really about learning to work like engineers: solving open problems, testing ideas, writing down what you learn and helping others along the way.

What a team actually does

• Design and build a robot using kit parts (for example from REV or goBILDA) and parts you make yourselves.
• Program the robot in Blocks, OnBot Java or Android Studio using the FTC SDK.
• Document the engineering process in an engineering portfolio that judges read.
• Reach out to the community, for example by running demos or helping new teams.
• Compete at events against and alongside other teams.

The season at a glance

1. 1
   Game reveal

   FIRST publishes the new game and the Competition Manual. Teams read the rules carefully before designing anything.
2. 2
   Design, build and test

   Teams brainstorm strategies, prototype mechanisms, build the robot and practise driving.
3. 3
   Compete

   Teams attend events, play matches, talk to judges and learn from other teams.
4. 4
   Advance

   Strong performance or awards at an event can earn a place at a higher-level event, such as a regional or national championship.

How a match works

Matches are played 2 vs 2: two teams form the red alliance and two form the blue alliance. The field is 12 ft x 12 ft, made of 24-inch foam tiles, with a wall around the edge. Your alliance partner works with you for that match only; in the next match you may be playing against them. That is why communication and respect between teams are so important.

Events, rankings and alliances

At a typical event every team plays several qualification matches with randomly assigned partners. Results are used to rank the teams. The top-ranked teams then become alliance captains and choose partners during alliance selection, and those alliances play in the playoffs. The exact format depends on the event type, so read the event section of the manual before your first competition.

Awards: more than winning matches

Judges give awards that recognise things like robot design, innovation, programming, outreach, teamwork and the quality of the engineering portfolio. Teams usually have a short interview with the judges where students explain their work. A team that never wins a match can still earn an important award by showing great engineering and Gracious Professionalism. Award names and criteria are published each season in the Competition Manual.