FIRST Robotics Competition Program Highlights

Photos by Lipofsky.com    

Now that Rebound Rumble℠ has been revealed to teams, the 2012 FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) season has kicked into high gear. This year, there’s a lot that’s new for teams. The game manual and Game Design Committee (GDC) Q&A are now hosted online in a searchable format and are available on mobile devices via iOS and Android. This new system makes access easier and more user friendly for team members. A group of four FRC Alumni from Diamond Bullet Studios developed a simulation of the 2012 FRC game that was used by the Game Design Committee during game development and which is currently available to all teams. The ability to play the game virtually in a physics-correct environment will open new doors for teams as they design their robot and develop strategies of play.

For the first time this year, the Kit of Parts includes product donation vouchers from the Automotive Recyclers Association, BaneBots, DigiKey, and Inventables which may be redeemed by teams for parts. Vouchers expand the potential list of Kit of Parts elements almost exponentially. Plus, FIRST Choice returns this year, bigger and better than ever before.