Rules for this years games

The 2024-2025 FIRST Tech Challenge game, "INTO THE DEEP," involves two alliances competing to score points by collecting and strategically placing objects within a designated field. The game has two main periods:

1. Autonomous Period (AUTO): The first 30 seconds, where robots operate solely based on pre-programmed instructions, aiming to score 'Samples' in 'Baskets' or 'Nets', place 'Specimens' on 'Chambers', and collect additional 'Samples' for later use.

2. Teleoperated Period (TELEOP): The remaining 2 minutes, where human drivers control the robots remotely to continue scoring 'Samples', place 'Specimens', and either 'Park' in the 'Observation Zone' or 'Ascend' the 'Rungs' of the 'Submersible'.

Scoring

The point values for various actions in the "INTO THE DEEP" game are as follows:

• Autonomous Period (AUTO) & Teleoperated Period (TELEOP)

  • Parking in the Observation Zone: 3 points

  • Sample in the Net Zone: 2 points

  • Sample in the Low Basket: 4 points

  • Sample in the High Basket: 8 points

  • Specimen on the Low Chamber: 6 points

  • Specimen on the High Chamber: 10 points

  • Ascent to Level 1: 3 points

• Endgame

  • The scoring for Parking, Samples, Specimens, and Ascent remains the same as in AUTO.

  • Ascent to Level 2: 15 points

  • Ascent to Level 3: 30 points

The game also emphasizes safety and fair play, with penalties for violations such as damaging the field, harming opponents, or unsportsmanlike conduct. The 'Head Referee' has the final say in interpreting and enforcing these rules.

• Minor Penalties - a credit of 5 points towards the opponent’s MATCH point total 

• Major Penalties - a credit of 15 points towards the opponent’s MATCH point total 

In essence, the game challenges teams to design and program robots capable of autonomous and driver-controlled actions to strategically score points and outmaneuver opponents, all within a framework of safety and Gracious Professionalism®.