FIRST Robotics Competition

FIRST Robotics Competition
Name	FIRST Robotics Competition
Country	United States
Region	International
Type	Robotics competition
Organiser	For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology

FIRST Robotics Competition is an annual robotics competition organized by For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), founded by Dean Kamen and Woodie Flowers. The competition aims to inspire high school students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, such as computer science, engineering, and mathematics, with the help of NASA, Google, and Microsoft. The competition involves teams of students, mentors, and coaches from schools and organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs of America and 4-H, working together to design, build, and program robots to compete in a series of challenges and games designed by MIT, Stanford University, and Carnegie Mellon University.

Introduction

The FIRST Robotics Competition is one of the four programs offered by For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), along with FIRST Lego League, FIRST Tech Challenge, and FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC)'s sister program, FIRST Global. The competition is designed to promote STEM education and provide students with hands-on experience in robotics engineering, computer programming, and teamwork, with support from IBM, Intel, and National Instruments. Teams are formed by students from high schools, middle schools, and homeschools, with guidance from mentors and coaches from universities like Harvard University, University of California, Berkeley, and Georgia Institute of Technology. The competition involves a series of regional events and championships, including the FIRST Championship, which is held annually in Houston and Detroit, with participation from teams from Canada, Mexico, China, and Israel.

History

The FIRST Robotics Competition was founded in 1992 by Dean Kamen and Woodie Flowers, with the goal of inspiring high school students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, with early support from Xerox, IBM, and NASA. The first competition was held in 1992, with 28 teams participating from New Hampshire and Massachusetts, including teams from MIT and Dartmouth College. Since then, the competition has grown to include over 3,000 teams from around the world, including teams from Australia, Japan, and United Kingdom, with participation from universities like University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and California Institute of Technology. The competition has also expanded to include new challenges and games each year, designed by experts from Stanford University, Carnegie Mellon University, and University of Michigan.

Competition Format

The FIRST Robotics Competition involves a series of regional events and championships, where teams compete against each other in a series of matches and challenges, with judges from Google, Microsoft, and Facebook. Each team is given a set of rules and regulations to follow, as well as a kit of parts to use in building their robot, with support from National Instruments, PTC, and Autodesk. The competition involves a combination of autonomous and teleoperated modes, where teams must program their robots to perform specific tasks and maneuvers, using programming languages like Java, C++, and Python. The teams are also judged on their design, innovation, and teamwork, with awards given for excellence in these areas, sponsored by IBM, Intel, and Cisco Systems.

Robot Requirements

The robots used in the FIRST Robotics Competition must meet specific requirements and regulations, including size and weight limits, with guidance from experts from NASA, MIT, and Stanford University. The robots must also be designed to perform specific tasks and maneuvers, such as climbing, lifting, and throwing, using actuators and sensors from National Instruments and PTC. The teams are given a set of components and materials to use in building their robot, including motors, gears, and pneumatics, with support from Autodesk, Dassault Systèmes, and Siemens. The robots must also be programmed to operate in both autonomous and teleoperated modes, using programming languages like Java, C++, and Python, with tools from Google, Microsoft, and Amazon.

Awards and Recognition

The FIRST Robotics Competition offers a range of awards and recognition to teams and individuals, including the Chairman's Award, Engineering Inspiration Award, and Rookie All-Star Award, sponsored by Xerox, IBM, and Intel. The awards are given for excellence in design, innovation, and teamwork, as well as for community outreach and volunteerism, with support from NASA, National Science Foundation, and National Academy of Engineering. The competition also recognizes individual students and mentors for their contributions to the team and the community, with awards from Google, Microsoft, and Facebook. The winners of the FIRST Championship are also awarded scholarships and grants to pursue their education and careers in STEM fields, with support from Universities like Harvard University, Stanford University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Regional and World Competitions

The FIRST Robotics Competition involves a series of regional events and championships, held in locations around the world, including United States, Canada, Mexico, and Australia, with participation from teams from China, Japan, and United Kingdom. The regional events are held in March and April, with the top teams advancing to the FIRST Championship, held in April in Houston and Detroit, with judges from Google, Microsoft, and Facebook. The championship event features the top teams from around the world, competing in a series of matches and challenges, with awards and recognition given for excellence in design, innovation, and teamwork, sponsored by IBM, Intel, and Cisco Systems. The competition also includes workshops and seminars for students and mentors, with experts from NASA, MIT, and Stanford University, and exhibits and demonstrations of robotics technology, with support from National Instruments, PTC, and Autodesk.

Category:Robotics competitions