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:
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.
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®.