Skip to main content

FIRST AGE 2026 Roadmap

Owner: TBD
Last Updated: 2026-01-11
Status: Draft
Sources: 2026 Game Manual, 2026 Team Update 00, 2026 Kitbot Build Instructions, 2026 Kitbot Iteration, FIRST AGE site

Game facts to design around (Kickoff v0)​

  • Fuel: 5.91 in (15.0 cm) foam balls, 0.448-0.500 lb; robots may control any amount after the match starts.
  • Match timing: 0:20 AUTO -> 3 s scoring buffer -> 2:20 TELEOP split into TRANSITION (0:10), SHIFTS 1-4 (0:25 each), END GAME (0:30).
  • Hub status: Both hubs active in AUTO, TRANSITION, END GAME. During SHIFTS, the alliance that wins AUTO has its hub inactive in SHIFT 1, then hubs alternate active/inactive each shift (Table 6-3). Plan for four 25 s alternating offense/defense windows.
  • Scoring (Table 6-4/6-5): Fuel in an active hub = 1 pt (AUTO and TELEOP); inactive hub = 0. Level 1 climb = 15 pts in AUTO (table lists 10 pts TELEOP but 6.5.2 currently restricts L1 to AUTO; watch for clarification). Level 2 = 20 pts. Level 3 = 30 pts. Bonus RP thresholds (regional/district): Energized 100 fuel, Supercharged 360 fuel, Traversal 50 tower points; thresholds may rise for DCMP/Champs.
  • Tower geometry: Rungs at 27 in (LOW), 45 in (MID), 63 in (HIGH); 18 in center-to-center. Valid contacts: rungs/uprights, tower wall/support, fuel, or other robots.
  • Fuel layout: Neutral zone supply is dispersed (not gridded); expect variance each match. Fuel scoring is still counted for 3 s after hubs deactivate.
  • Evergreen updates to respect: Bumper gap allowed this season; crosslinked polyethylene foam permitted; new PD options and radio power rules (VH-109, no VRM/RPM); Thrifty Bot Pulsar 775 added, several legacy controllers removed; re-weigh before playoffs; load-in limit now 6; new rule against recording interactions without consent; driver station clamping allowed if shelf not damaged.

Strategy implications​

  • Auto: Secure fuel scores plus up to two L1 climbs (15 pts each) while keeping an eye on the shift schedule. Winning AUTO means first inactive hub, so preload fuel to stash for SHIFT 1 or pivot to defense.
  • Teleop shifts: Build to collect/hoard during inactive windows and burst-score when active. Prioritize multi-side intake or fast cross-field lanes so we can reach the active hub quickly as states flip.
  • End game: Target reliable L2 by Week 3 and L3 by Week 4+ to unlock the 50-point Traversal RP path. Make scoring state obvious to refs (clear bumper heights, stable hang).
  • RP chase: Energized (100 fuel) is a midline goal; Supercharged (360 fuel) is a stretch that demands fast cycles and coordinated hoarding; Traversal (50 tower pts) requires two strong climbs or one L3 plus one L2.
  • Compliance: Update bumper, radio power, and PD designs per Team Update 00 to avoid inspection surprises; plan for re-weigh before playoffs.

Roadmap governance and quality gates​

  • Assign owners per week and per subsystem; keep status boxes current.
  • Definition of Done (DoD) each week: explicit deliverables, data captured, and sign-offs (mechanical, electrical, software, drive team).
  • Weekly targets: cycle time per 25 s shift, climb success percent, fuel scored per active shift, auto success rate.
  • Hub-state playbook: offense/defense/hoard behaviors per shift with dashboard timer and audio cues.
  • Testing gates: filmed runs and logged data (temps, currents, RPM, climb time, fuel throughput) stored in testing folder with date.
  • Compliance checklist: bumper spec, PD/radio wiring per Team Update 00, re-weigh before playoffs, load-in headcount, consent-to-record rule.

Implementation roadmap by week​

Week 0: Jan 11-17 - Excavation and Strategy​

  • Owner: Strategy Lead (Name) | Status: In Progress
  • DoD: Manual read-through done; constraints doc updated with 2026 rules; hub-state timing chart published; subsystem requirement matrix drafted.
  • Targets: Pick AUTO priorities (fuel plus L1), choose climb ceiling (L2 vs L3), top three risks with mitigations.
  • Plays/Tasks: Prototype fuel buffering/handling; sketch tower climb geometry for 27/45/63 in; map hub-state windows into driver dashboard needs.
  • Checklist:
    • Finish full manual and Team Update 00 read-through
    • Publish constraints doc update (bumper, PD/radio, load-in rules)
    • Draft subsystem requirements matrix (drive/intake/climb/elec/soft)
    • Post hub-state timeline graphic for drivers and programmers

Week 1: Blueprinting and Design​

  • Owner: Mechanical Lead (Name) | Status: Planned
  • DoD: Drivetrain and intake architecture locked; AUTOs drafted (fuel plus L1 and fuel-only); climb path chosen; electrical BOM aligned to legal devices.
  • Targets: 2 fuel trips per active shift; select climb level to reach 50 tower point path; CAD skeleton ready.
  • Plays/Tasks: Decide multi-side intake vs single; lay out wiring/power for legal PD/radio; add hub-state cues to auto planner.
  • Checklist:
    • Lock drivetrain architecture and wheel/gearbox choice
    • Intake concept selected with sketch/CAD stub
    • Chosen climb level (L2 vs L3) documented with geometry
    • Electrical BOM verified against legal devices
    • AUTO scripts stubbed (fuel-only, fuel+L1)

Week 2: Prototyping and Validation​

  • Owner: Prototyping Lead (Name) | Status: Planned
  • DoD: Fuel shooter/roller prototype scores in active hub; L2 climb rig built; log cycle times and hit target within a 25 s shift; hub-state timer running in code.
  • Targets: 80% success on 10-fuel feed in one active shift; L2 climb within endgame window; dashboard shows hub state.
  • Plays/Tasks: Tune shot RPM/angle; test fuel hoarding during inactive windows; film 10 runs and record times/temps.
  • Checklist:
    • Fuel prototype hits 80% on 10 shots in active hub
    • L2 rig lifts to legal height within endgame window
    • Cycle time measured for one 25 s shift (document)
    • Hub-state timer visible on dashboard
    • Video + data logs stored in testing folder

Week 3: Integration and Tuning​

  • Owner: Integration Lead (Name) | Status: Planned
  • DoD: CAD frozen; wiring checked; driver practice with shift timer; L2 climb repeatable on robot; autos integrated with hub-state data.
  • Targets: 90% L2 climb success; 3 fuel cycles per active shift; 80% auto success across 10 runs.
  • Plays/Tasks: Publish hub-state to dashboard HUD/audio; tune PID for drive and climb; practice hoard-and-burst pattern.
  • Checklist:
    • CAD release posted and frozen
    • Wiring check complete; PD/radio per rules
    • L2 climb 9/10 success on robot
    • Autos run 8/10 success with hub-state data
    • Driver practice logged with shift-timer use

Week 4: Optimization and Reliability​

  • Owner: Reliability Lead (Name) | Status: Planned
  • DoD: 30-minute stress test; L3 climb tested if chosen; inspection checklist ready (bumper gaps, PD/radio, consent reminder, load-in limit).
  • Targets: Hit 100 fuel in practice to validate Energized RP path; climb success 90% at chosen level; temps within safe band.
  • Plays/Tasks: Shorten cycle time by 10%; finalize endgame lock; rehearse inspection and re-weigh flow.
  • Checklist:
    • 30-minute burn-in with temps logged
    • Cycle time improved 10% vs Week 3
    • L3 attempt tested (if applicable) and documented
    • Inspection checklist completed (bumper gap, PD/radio, consent, load-in)
    • Re-weigh plan documented

Week 5: Competition Prep and Documentation​

  • Owner: Captain (Name) | Status: Planned
  • DoD: Robot manual updated; autonomous guide written; maintenance and packing checklists done; final code tagged.
  • Targets: 3 autos validated; 2 climb attempts per match planned; pit drills under 2 minutes for battery swap.
  • Plays/Tasks: Print docs; run mock inspections; finalize driver button map and comms plan.
  • Checklist:
    • Robot manual updated and printed
    • Autonomous guide includes success rates and selection steps
    • Packing + maintenance checklists signed off
    • Code tagged and deployed
    • Pit drills timed under 2 minutes

Week 6: Competition Week​

  • Owner: Drive Coach (Name) | Status: Planned
  • DoD: Pre-match checklist ready; hub-state cues rehearsed; video/metrics logging pipeline active.
  • Targets: No missed matches; 80% auto success; 80% climb success; at least one RP route pursued per match.
  • Plays/Tasks: Daily bumper and wiring checks; review match video and adjust shift plays; enforce consent rule for any recording.
  • Checklist:
    • Pre-match checklist run before every match
    • Post-match video + metrics logged
    • RP route chosen per match (Energized/Traversal)
    • Daily bumper/wiring inspection logged
    • Consent reminders posted in pit

Weekly target snapshot​

  • Week 0: AUTO choice, climb ceiling, risks set.
  • Week 1: 2 fuel trips/active shift target; climb level committed; CAD skeleton ready.
  • Week 2: 80% fuel prototype accuracy; L2 climb within window; hub-state timer live.
  • Week 3: 90% L2 climb; 3 fuel cycles/active shift; 80% auto success.
  • Week 4: 100 fuel practice run; 90% climb at chosen level; 30-min burn-in pass.
  • Week 5: 3 autos validated; pit drill <2 min; docs/packing complete.
  • Week 6: 80% auto/climb in matches; RP pursued each match; zero missed matches.

Contingency and recovery plan (worst-case triggers)​

  • Vendor/parts delays: If key COTS slip more than 3 days, pivot to kitbot drivetrain baseline and reuse 2025 hardware; prioritize single-side intake to unblock. Owner: Mech Lead.
  • Climb slips past Week 3: If L2 not 80% by Week 3, lock L1 only for reliability and move programming to auto fuel. If L3 not viable by Week 4, freeze at L2 and chase Traversal RP with two L2 attempts. Owner: Climb Lead + Software Lead.
  • Fuel throughput misses target: If fuel cycles/shift under 2 by end of Week 2, drop hoard/burst; run continuous feed and lighten intake to cut cycle time. Owner: Intake Lead + Drive Coach.
  • Auto unstable by Week 3: If auto success under 70%, simplify to one auto (preload fuel + taxi + optional L1). Remove path switching; only use hub-state data if stable. Owner: Software Lead.
  • Drive reliability issues: If burn-in fails (brownouts/temps) in Week 4, detune acceleration, lower current limits, add fans. Swap to lower-ratio gearboxes if binding persists. Owner: Electrical Lead + Drive Coach.
  • Practice access lost: If field time unavailable a week, replace with timer drills + chair/marker obstacles; require video for every practice block. Owner: Drive Coach.
  • Inspection risk: If bumper/radio/PD check fails in Week 4 dry-run, revert to kit baseline bumper spec, rewire radio per Team Update 00, rerun re-weigh checklist nightly. Owner: Compliance Lead.
  • People risk: If any DRI out more than 3 days, backup steps in and scope narrows: drivetrain and climb before intake, shooter polish, vision. Owner: Captain.

Next artifacts to add​

  • Subsystem requirement matrix keyed to hub-active vs hub-inactive states.
  • Autonomous scripts tied to FMS hub-state data and timers.
  • Event/pit checklist covering evergreen changes (load-in limit, radio power, bumper gaps, consent for recording).
  • Dashboard spec for hub-state timer and audio cues.