The game for the 2020-21 FIRST Tech Challenge Season is called Ultimate Goal. You can watch the reveal video if you'd like to hear more from FIRST, and learn about the game upfront. The game specific stuff starts around 2:39.
All FTC matches are like so:
- First 30 seconds are the Autonomous Period
- This is followed by a 2 minute TeleOp/Driver-Controlled Period
- The last 30 seconds of the TeleOp Period is called Endgame
Pretty easy so far? Let's now talk about the field, and then each of these periods.
Game Setup
A team consists of up to two drivers, a coach, a human player, and a robot. The robot MUST be built from materials specified in the game manual, and fit within a 18"x18"x18" box/sizing tool. However, it is allow to expand once the match starts.
The Field
The game is played on a 12 foot square field with a floor made of foam tile, along with one foot high walls. There are five navigation images around the perimeter of the field.
At one end, there are two tower goals, each containing three alliance specific goals and return racks.
Between these goals are three red and three blue powershot targets.
On the opposite side, there are two red and two blue start lines. There are also three red and three blue target zone goals. Along with this, there are small red and blue tape squares as the starter stack locations. A white launch line divides the field.
Outside of the walls are stations for the alliances, along with human player stations respectively.
Game Elements
The primary game element is a ~5" diameter ring, with a 3/4" thickness. Each match is played with 20 rings.
There are also two red and two blue wobble goals, which you can move and stack rings on to score points.
Before each match, team must place their robot accordingly:
- Touching the front wall
- Over one of their alliance's starting lines
- Touching/in possession of a wobble goal
- Optional: Touch/possess up to 3 rings
Autonomous Period
After robots are in position, the starter stacks will be randomized into one of three configurations. This determines which target zone goal is active.
- 0 Rings -> A
- 1 Ring -> B
- 4 Rings -> C
Unused rings are stored in the human player stations to be deployed once TeleOp starts.
Once everyone is ready, the match starts with a 30 second autonomous period.
In this period, the robot must be doing all the scoring with pre-programmed code/instructions, along with sensory input. That could be camera/vision input, color sensors, encoders, you name it.
Here is the scoring for Autonomous:
- Delivering a wobble goal to the correct target zone earns 15 points
- A robot parked over the launch line earns 5 points
- Each ring in the low goal earns 3 points
- Each ring in the mid goal earns 6 points
- Each ring in the high goal earns 12 points
- Each powershot knocked down earns 15 points
To launch rings, the robots must be in the launch zone. This is the area between the front wall and the launch line.
TeleOp Period
After the autonomous period begins the 2 minute TeleOp/Driver Controlled Period.
Human players return rings to the playing field, along with resetting powershot targets.
Here is the scoring for TeleOp:
- Each ring in the low goal earns 2 points
- Each ring in the mid goal earns 4 points
- Make sure you don't score into the other team's mid goal, or they earn the points!
- Each ring in the high goal earns 6 points
Endgame
The last 30 seconds of TeleOp is the Endgame. Robots can continue scoring rings, but there are more opportunities.
- Each powershot knocked down earns 15 points
- Returning a wobble goal to the start line earns 5 points
- Each ring fully supported by a wobble goal earns 5 points
- Lifting a wobble goal over the front wall into the drop zone earns 20 points
And that's basically it! That may seem like a lot, but once you get into it, you will understand the game better. For specifics on traditional and remote events, check Game Manuals 1 and 2. From here, we can now jump into Java.