BREAKAWAY
2010 FRC Challenge
Time to kick around some ideas! This year’s FRC challenge, BREAKAWAY, is soccer-themed. FRC competitions consist of two alliances, one red and one blue. In Breakaway, each alliance is a combination of three FIRST teams. The game will be played on a field with four goals and two towers (two goals and one tower are allotted for each alliance). Two “bumps” divide the field into three zones. The robots can travel freely between zones by going through a tunnel under the tower or by climbing over the bumps; however, there are limits to how many robots can be in each zone. This year, alliances are going to need to strategize and work together to score points and block the opposing alliance's scoring opportunities.
The alliances will attempt to outscore each other by shooting balls into the goals. Robots can score from anywhere on the field and may attempt to defend by blocking the opposing alliance’s shots on goal. Robots cannot “carry” balls; they must kick or roll them across the field to score. In the final 20 seconds of the match, points can be earned by climbing the alliance tower or platform; for example, a robot could be equipped with a hook allowing it to grip the bar of the alliance tower and hoist itself up. Two points are awarded for an “elevated” robot. The final way an alliance can earn points is by a robot lifting another alliance robot off the playing field. This is called a “suspended” robot and earns a total of three points!
Each match lasts for 2 minutes and 15 seconds, beginning with a 15-second “autonomous period” in which the robot functions on its own using instructions programmed by the team. Then it is time for the drivers to take control during the “teleoperated period” which lasts until the end of the game.
For complete game details and rules, go to http://usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/content.aspx?id=452 and download the 2010 competition manuals.
The Arena
