FIRST Tech Challenge Game User Manual

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2020-2021 FIRST

Tech Challenge

Game Manual Part 2 – Remote

Events

FIRST® Tech Challenge Game Manual Part 2 – Remote Events | 2

Sponsors Revision 1.2: 2/3/2021

Sponsor Thank You

Thank you to our generous sponsors for your continued support of the FIRST® Tech Challenge!

FIRST® Tech Challenge Game Manual Part 2 – Remote Events | 3

Contents Revision 1: 8/31/2020

Revision History

Section

Revision

Date

Description

N/A 1 8/31/2020

Program Delivery Partner Limited Release

Sponsors

1.2

2/3/2021

Updated Sponsor lockup

Appendix B

1.1

2/3/2021

Figure B-2 and B-3, updated images with correct dimensions

Contents

1.0 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 5

What is FIRST® Tech Challenge? .................................................................................................................. 5

FIRST Core Values ........................................................................................................................................ 5

2.0 Gracious Professionalism® .......................................................................................................................... 5

3.0 How to Use This Document ......................................................................................................................... 5

4.0 The Game ................................................................................................................................................... 6

4.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 6

4.2 Game Description .................................................................................................................................... 6

4.2.1 Game Narrative ................................................................................................................................. 6

4.3 Remote Playing Field Illustrations ............................................................................................................ 7

4.4 Game De

finitions

...................................................................................................................................... 8

4.5 Gameplay .............................................................................................................................................. 12

4.5.1 Pre-Match. ....................................................................................................................................... 12

4.5.2 Autonomous Period ......................................................................................................................... 13

4.5.3 Driver-Controlled Period ................................................................................................ .................. 14

4.5.4 End Game ................................ ................................................................ ....................................... 14

4.5.5 Post Match ...................................................................................................................................... 15

4.5.6 Penalty Scoring ............................................................................................................................... 15

4.5.7 Flowchart of Match Play .................................................................................................................. 15

4.6 Rules of Gameplay ................................................................................................................................. 16

4.6.1 Safety Rules .................................................................................................................................... 16

4.6.2 General Game Rules ....................................................................................................................... 16

4.6.3 Game-Specific Rules ....................................................................................................................... 20

4.7 Scoring Summary ................................................................................................................................... 22

4.8 Rule Summary ................................................................................................................................ ....... 22

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Contents Revision 1: 8/31/2020

Appendix A – Resources ................................................................................................................................. 25

Game Forum Q&A ................................................................................................................................ ....... 25

FIRST Tech Challenge Game Manuals ........................................................................................................ 25

FIRST Headquarters Pre-Event Support ...................................................................................................... 25

FIRST Websites ........................................................................................................................................... 25

FIRST Tech Challenge Social Media ........................................................................................................... 25

Feedback ..................................................................................................................................................... 25

Appendix B – Playing Field Details .................................................................................................................. 26

Appendix C – Scoring Elements ...................................................................................................................... 28

Appendix D – Starter Stack Randomization ..................................................................................................... 29

Appendix E – Wobble Goal Ring Scoring Examples ........................................................................................ 30

Appendix F – Navigation Images ..................................................................................................................... 31

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Section 1, 2, & 3 – Intro, GP, How to Use this Document Revision 1: 8/31/2020

1.0 Introduction

1.1 What is FIRST

Tech Challenge?

FIRST® Tech Challenge is a student-centered program that focuses on giving students a unique and

stimulating experience. Each year, teams engage in a new game where they design, build, test, and program autonomous and driver operated robots that must perform a series of tasks. To learn more about FIRST® Tech Challenge and other FIRST® Programs, visit www.firstinspires.org.

1.2 FIRST Core Values

We express the FIRST® philosophies of Gracious Professionalism® and Coopertition® through our Core Values:

• Discovery: We explore new skills and ideas.

• Innovation: We use creativity and persistence to solve problems.

• Impact: We apply what we learn to improve our world.

• Inclusion: We respect each other and embrace our differences.

• Teamwork: We are stronger when we work together.

• Fun: We enjoy and celebrate what we do!

2.0 Gracious Professionalism®

FIRST® uses this term to describe our programs’ intent.

Gracious Professionalism® is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the

value of others, and respects individuals and the community.

Watch Dr. Woodie Flowers explain Gracious Professionalism in this short video.

3.0 How to Use This Document

The Game Manual Part 2 – Remote Events is a resource for all FIRST® Tech Challenge Teams competing in a remote event format. There are two types of event formats a Team might experience this season; traditional

events and remote events. This manual describes the game and rules for remote events. Remote events were developed to mimic traditional FIRST Tech Challenge events, while practicing social distancing guidelines. Since Teams are not able to gather and compete in the traditional head-to-head competition format, the season’s official full Playing Field has been adapted to allow Teams to play Matches as a single Team. Remote Teams may order an official half version of this season’s field or compete using a low-cost version of the field.

The intent of this manual is that the text means exactly, and only, what it says. Please avoid interpreting the

text based on assumptions about intent, implementation of past rules, or how a situation might be in “real life”.

There are no hidden requirements or restrictions. If you have read everything, you know everything. Key words that have a specific meaning within this document are defined in the Game Definitions section and

are indicated with the first letter capitalized, and the entire word in Italics.

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Section 4 – The Game Revision 1.3: 11/24/2020

4.0 The Game

4.1 Introduction

This document describes ULTIMATE GOAL℠ presented by Qualcomm, the FIRST® Tech Challenge remote game for the 2020-2021 season. We recommend viewing the traditional events game animation prior to reading this manual to gain a general understanding of the game. The animation is not intended as a replacement for official game rules. Remote event documentation and the game animation can be accessed on our website https://www.firstinspires.org/resource-library/ftc/game-and-season-info

Teams must comply with all rules and requirements stated in this document and in the Game Manual Part 1 – Remote Events. Clarifications to the game rules are issued on the Question & Answer section of the forum at

ftcforum.firstinspires.org. Forum rulings take precedence over information in the game manuals.

4.2 Game Description

Matches are played on a Playing Field initially set up as illustrated in Figure 4.3-1 below. The object of the game is to Deliver Wobble Goals to a randomly selected Target Zone, place in or Launch Rings into the Tower Goal, and Launch Rings to knock over Power Shot Targets.

The Match starts with a 30-second Autonomous Period in which a Robot operates using only pre-programmed instructions and sensor inputs. During the Autonomous Period, a Team earns points by: Delivering Wobble

Goals to a randomly selected Target Zone, Parking In the Launch Line, Launching or placing Rings into the Tower Goal, and Launching Rings to knock over Power Shot Targets.

The two-minute Driver-Controlled Period follows the Autonomous Period. During the Driver-Controlled Period, a Team earns points by Launching or placing Rings into the Low, Medium, and High Goals on the Tower Goal.

The final 30 seconds of the Driver-Controlled Period is called the End Game. In addition to the previously listed Driver-Controlled Period Scoring activities, a Team earns points by Delivering a Wobble Goal to the Start Line or to the Drop Zone, Placing Rings on the Wobble Goals, and Launching Rings to knock over Power Shot Targets.

4.2.1 Game Narrative

In every game we play, we set out to make ourselves a collaborative teammate, a respected competitor, and a stronger person. No expectations are greater than those we place on ourselves.

While we revel in the big plays and vital scores, the real lessons we learn are when we fail and work with our teammates to recover. And each time our team steps up to a new challenge, we establish bolder goals, fueling our ambitions to work together, enhance our skills, and transcend all boundaries.

It’s the passion that drives us forward. As game changers, we use our strengths to outscore the competition and legendary players that have come before us. Together we are teammates at the top of our game, competing in a thrilling sport – to score, to win and to leave a legacy that lasts.

No matter the outcome, we stand up in the face of competition, pushing each other to do better, work harder, and exceed our team and personal potentials.

It’s time to set the records straight by breaking them. Are you up to the challenge?

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Section 4 – The Game Revision 1.3: 11/24/2020

4.3 Remote Playing Field Illustrations

The following illustrations identify the Game Elements and give a general visual understanding of the game. Teams should refer to andymark.com/FTC for the exact Game Element dimensions. The official Playing Field

documents, including the official Field Setup Guide – Remote Events, are available at https://www.firstinspires.org/resource-library/ftc/game-and-season-info. Please Note: The following illustration shows the Playing Field with optional perimeter wall as the Playing Field Boundary.

Figure 4.3-1 – Isometric view of the Playing Field (red)

Figure 4.3-2 – Top view of the Playing Field (red)

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Section 4 – The Game Revision 1.3: 11/24/2020

4.4 Game De

finitions

The following definitions and terms are used for the Remote game version of ULTIMATE GOAL℠ presented by

Qualcomm:

Alliance Station – The designated Team Area adjacent to the Playing Field where the Drivers and Coach stand during a Match.

Area – The space defined by the vertical projection of the outside edge of a region’s boundary (for example, gaffer tape, goal, Playing Field Boundary). The boundary element (tape, markings, etc.) is part of the Area for the purposes of determining Inside and Outside.

Autonomous Period – A thirty-second Match period in which the Robot operates and reacts only to sensor inputs and to commands pre-programmed by the Team onto the onboard Robot control system. Human control of the Robot is not permitted during this time.

Barrier – An approximate 12 inch (30.5 cm) tall structure that separates the Playing Field from the Drop Zone. The Barrier can be constructed from a range of materials including an AndyMark perimeter, Do-It-

Yourself wall, cardboard, etc.

Coach – A student Team member or adult mentor designated as the Drive Team advisor during the Match. Competition Area – The Area where the Playing Field is located. Control / Controlling – An object is Controlled by a Robot if the object is following the movement of the

Robot. Objects that are Controlled by a Robot are part of the Robot. See Possess / Possessing to learn about a related term. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Carrying – holding one or more Game Elements inside or outside of a Robot.

• Herding – pushing or impelling one or more Game Elements to a desired location or direction that

gains a strategic advantage beyond moving the Robot around the Playing Field.

• Holding – Trapping one or more Scoring Elements against a Game Element or Playing Field Boundary to shield or guard them.

• Launching – see definition below.

Examples of interaction with Game Elements that are not Controlled include, but are not limited to:

• Plowing – Inadvertent contact with Game Elements while in the path of the Robot moving about the Playing Field.

• Deflecting – Inadvertent contact with a Launched Game Element as it bounces off the Playing Field or a Robot.

Delivery - A Scoring achievement where a Robot deposits a Wobble Goal. Disable / Disabled – A Robot that is no longer active for the remainder of the Match due to a Robot failure. Drive Team – Up to four representatives; two (2) Drivers, one (1) Coach, and one (1) Human Player. Driver – A pre-college student Team member responsible for operating and controlling the Robot Driver-Controlled Period – The two-minute Match time period in which the Drivers operate their Robot. Driver Station – Hardware and FIRST supplied software used by a Drive Team to control their Robot during

a Match. A detailed description of Driver Station is listed in Game Manual Part 1 – Remote Events.

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Section 4 – The Game Revision 1.3: 11/24/2020

Drop Zone – The Area Outside the Playing Field Boundary, between the plane formed by the front Playing Field Boundary and the audience, where the Robot Delivers Wobble Goals during the End Game.

End Game – The last thirty seconds of the two-minute Driver-Controlled Period. End of the Period/Match - The moment when the Match timer reaches 2:00 for the Autonomous Period or

0:00 for the Driver-Control Period and which coincides with the start of the sound that designates the End of the Period.

Field Personnel – People selected by the Team to help run an official Remote competition Match. Typical activities performed by Field Personnel include preparing the Playing Field for a Match, adjusting the number of randomly selected Rings in the Starter Stack, retrieving Rings that leave the Playing Field Boundary, keeping track of the Match Score, running the cloud-based scoring system, and providing as needed technical assistance to the Drive Team during pre-Match setup. One person may fill several roles. At a Traditional competition, these activities are performed by trained volunteers. Teams may select anyone except for the Drive Team to be Field Personnel. Some Field Personnel roles require specialized knowledge. For example, the person scoring the Match should be able to recall rules and Penalties in real time while watching an official Match.

Game Element – Any item a Robot or Human Player interacts with to play the game. Game Elements for this year’s game include:

Game Element

Quantity

Rings

Wobble Goals

Power Shot Targets

Tower Goal

Return Rack

Human Player – A pre-college student Team member who supplies Rings to the Playing Field and resets Power Shot Targets.

Human Player Station – The Area where the Human Player stands during a Match. In (Inside) / Completely In (Completely Inside) – An object that has crossed into the upwards vertical (i.e.,

at a right angle to the Playing Field Floor) extension of a defined Area’s boundary is Inside the Area. An object that is entirely within the upwards vertical extension of a defined Area’s boundary is Completely Inside the Area. The boundary element (tape, wall, markings, etc.) is part of the Area for the purposes of determining Inside and Outside, unless otherwise specified.

Inadvertent – An outcome that is not a planned strategy and not the predictable result of persistent or repeated actions. Unforced or unexpected Robot actions based on software commands are not considered to be Inadvertent.

Inconsequential – An outcome that does not influence Scoring or gameplay. Launching – Propelling Game Elements with enough force such that they move independent of contact

with the Robot or Human Player. Movement due to gravity is not Launching. Launch Line - A two (2) inch wide, white gaffer tape line extending from the Alliance Station boundary to

the opposite boundary that defines the Launch Zone Area. The Launch Line should be considered to be a

It is preferred that the Human Player is a student competing on the Team. However, for the 2020-2021 season, exceptions can be made to allow an adult mentor, coach, parent, etc. to fill the role as Human Player if there are strict social distancing guidelines that do not allow more than a Team of one student to meet and participate in official Matches.

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Section 4 – The Game Revision 1.3: 11/24/2020

continuous line even though there may be breaks in the tape at the Tile interfaces and at the Target Zone tape.

Launch Zone – The part of the Playing Field bounded by the front and side boundaries, and the Launch Line. The Launch Line is considered to be part of the Launch Zone.

Match – A Match consists of a thirty-second Autonomous Period followed by a two-minute Driver-Controlled Period for a total time of two minutes and thirty seconds.

Match Manager – Any person selected by the Team to oversee an official Match and Field Personnel. The Match Manager cannot be a part of the Drive Team.

Navigating – An Autonomous Period Scoring task where a Robot is Parked In a specified Area. Navigation Image - Three (3) unique images positioned on the Playing Field Boundary that the Robot can

use to navigate around the Playing Field. Images are printed on standard letter size paper, 8 1/2 inches x 11 inches (216 mm x 279 mm) or A4 (210 mm x 297 mm) paper. For detailed locations please see the official Field Setup Guide, as well as Appendix F for general image locations.

Off – Not physically in contact with or Supported by an object, surface, etc. Objects that are Off are also considered Completely Off.

On / Completely On – An object that is physically in contact with and at least partially Supported by an object, surface, etc. is considered On. An object that is entirely Supported by another object, surface, etc. is Completely On.

Out / Outside – An object that has not crossed into any part of a defined Area is Outside the Area. Park / Parked – The condition where a Robot is motionless. Penalty – The consequence imposed for a rule or procedure violation. When a Penalty occurs, points will

be deducted from the Score. Penalties are further defined into Minor Penalties (ten (10) points) and Major Penalties (thirty (30) points).

Playing Field – The Area that includes the 12 ft. x 8 ft. (3.66 m x 2.44 m) field and where the Game

Elements are located, and the Robot plays Matches. There are two equivalent official versions of the Playing Field: Red and Blue, that are mirror images of each other.

Playing Field Boundary – A taped line or a wall that marks the Area where a Robot operates

Playing Field Damage – A physical change to a Game Element or Playing Field that affects gameplay or

an action that causes harm to the playability of a Game Element or Playing Field.

Playing Field Floor – The top surface of the Area inside the Playing Field Boundary. Possess / Possessing – An object is in Possession by a Robot if, as the Robot moves or changes

orientation (for example, moves forward, turns, backs up, spins in place), the object remains in approximately the same position relative to the Robot. Objects in Possession by a Robot are considered to be Controlled, and they are part of the Robot. See also Control/Controlling.

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FIRST Tech Challenge Game User Manual

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Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual