Welcome to the WPI FLL US Open Event!
AKA the WPI Annual FLL Event --- or the Waffle!
We are excited to have over 100 teams from all over the world join us for this special event at WPI in Worcester, Massachusetts!
Team List by Region
Alabama - Hey, Dudes
Alaska - Yuraq Bots
Alberta - The Creators
Arizona - The Mighty Minions
Arkansas - Knockout Knights
Belgium - GO! Lyceum Gent
Brazil - OSÍRIS
Brazil 2 - Robobio
California - The Wildcat Coders
California 2 - iBots
Chile - R2D2
China - Super-Y
China 2 - ByteRepublic
Colorado - Robot Rebels
Denmark - Power Puff
Egypt - Guardians
France - Da Vinci
France 2 - Cyberwallon
Georgia - Brix Bots
Georgia 2 - Robocats
Ghana - Runbal
Greece - Talodia
Hungary - TöviscsapatX
Illinois - Technobots
Indiana - Rocket Fish
Iowa - Jordan JagWIRES
Italy - Planck Team
Japan - Tezukayama ACE
Kansas - Hugoton Middle School Hugotrons
Kazakhstan - Toro Doro
Kentucky - WEMS Raider Robotics Blue
Louisiana - Robojays Yellow Team
Louisiana 2 - Atlas Tigers
Maine - Gardiner Iron Tiger Cubs
Maryland - Always Improving
Maryland 2 - Artemis
Maryland 3 - TechnoTitans
Massachusetts - New England Code Crackers
Massachusetts 2 - Uniqorn Dreamers
Mexico - Infinity Gears
Mexico 2 - Powered Engineering
Mexico 3 - Filadelfia Black Dragonflies
Michigan - Retro Rockets
Minnesota - Spaceotics
Mississippi - St. Augustine Gadget Gryphons
Morocco - Robotics For Future
Nevada - Doral Dragons Red Team
Nevada 2 - Wolf Pack Bots/Los Lobos Robóticos
New Hampshire - CreativeBots
New Hampshire 2 - Creative Cookies
New Jersey - Robotic Llamas Jr
New Jersey 2 - Technoverse
New York - File Not Found
New York 2 - TriTech
New York 3 - Electric Eagle Eyes
New York 4 - Anderson Artisans
Nigeria - Team Galaxy
North Carolina - Cosmic Capybaras
North Carolina 2 - NC Avengers
North Dakota - Super Squirrels
North Macedonia - Robo Mosquitos
Norway/Sweden - Glowing Crowns
Norway/Sweden 2 - Spagheπi
Nova Scotia - Immanuel Christian School
Nova Scotia 2 - Armbrae Awespreys
Ohio - Lego Legion
Oklahoma - Gears of Entropy
Ontario - Aurora Lego Legends
Ontario 2 - Les robot-franco-zarts
Paraguay - Robotickress
Pennsylvania - The Robot of OZ
Puerto Rico - Mindstorms
Puerto Rico 2 - The A-Team
Rhode Island - Arrr-tists
Romania - Sensor ON
Romania 2 - Tehnoz Lightning Bolts
Singapore - Team Sweet Fluffy Unicorn
Slovenia - Robosuns
South Africa - SB ELEMENTRIX
South Carolina - Silver Flames
South Dakota - ROARbotics
South Korea - Virus
South Korea 2 - Samgak gimbap
Spain - PinkBlack
Tennessee - Saint Henry TIGERS
Texas - Tech Titans
Texas 2 - Abstract Thinkers
Tunisa - Innovation Stars
Turkey - Artifusion
Turkey 2 - Future Designers
UAE - HARMONIX
Uganda - DRASTICALS
Uruguay - Technogirls
Uzbekistan - Roborangers
Virginia/DC - OLMC Blue Team
Virginia/DC 2 - Superchargerz
Washington - TUCOPSBI
Washington 2 - Incredibot Squad
Washington 3 - Tinkering Turtles
West Virginia - The Transporters
West Virginia 2 - Space Goats
Wisconsin - 10 Tooth Gear
This event will be webcast at www.twitch.tv/wpirobotics
EVENT AGENDA
ALL TIMES EASTERN -times and activities subject to change - last update 4/22/24
FRIDAY JUNE 7
1000: Pits Open, Team Check-in Open, Competition and Practice Fields Open for use (OPTIONAL)
1600: Deadline for team check-in (REQUIRED)
1600: Competition & Practice fields closes
1600-1730: Team Time (use as you see fit to grab food, set up pit, unwind, etc)
1730: Line up for Opening Celebration
1800: Opening Celebration with all teams!
2000: Conclusion of Opening Celebration
2030: Venue closes
ALL DAY: Campus Tours Available!
SATURDAY JUNE 8
0800: Venue Opens
0900: Coach Meeting with Head Referee, Practice Area Opens
1000: Competition Fields Available for Practice
1100: Judging Begins
1500: Competition Fields Closed for Practice
1530: Robot Rounds Begin
1800: Robot Rounds End, Practice Area Closes.
1730-2100: TEAM PARTY!
Carnival rides, video games, outdoor games, food, and fun!
Relax and unwind with your fellow teams!
ALL DAY: Campus Tours Available!
SUNDAY JUNE 9
0800: Venue Opens
0830: Practice Area Opens
0900: Robot Rounds Begin
1220: Robot Rounds End
1220: Lunch Break
1315: Top teams invited to present their project on the awards stage
1400: Alliance Rounds (see info), Practice Area Closes
1500: Closing Ceremonies
1700: Event Ends
EVENT INFORMATION
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
Match and Judging Schedule
Team List with Event Numbers
Pit Map / Venue Map
Area Resources (List of restaurants, supermarkets, etc)
ARRIVAL INFORMATION
To get here, use the address 151 Salisbury St Worcester MA. This will bring you to the entrance road to our parking garage.
Parking in the Park Ave Garage is preferred all weekend. No permit is required for this event. Please only park in lined spots, and do not park in spaces marked for specific uses (like specific permit numbers, zip cars, etc). There is accessible parking inside and outside the garage as well as EV charging.
Over-height vehicles can park in the Higgins House Lot, which you pass on the left on the way to the Park Ave Garage. Buses staying during the event should find parking on the street. If you have a bus and they have trouble finding a space, reach out to the event managers.
You can park in the garage and carry/wheel your items to the Load-in Entrance or pull into the circle outside the garage to unload. The load-in entrance is up a short hill, but there is also an elevator available if needed (follow signs for accessible access to Quad and use Floor 2 in the elevator).
When you get in, proceed to your pit table. A group leader will come greet you and be able to answer any of your questions.
Registration & Payment
Registration is $1500 (US) per team, which includes:
Five official robot matches (with plenty of practice opportunities)
A 30-minute judging session per team
Up to 10 event t-shirts per team
Up to 10 participation medallions
Access for the entire team and all who travel with the team to:
Opening Celebration (Friday night)
Team Party (Saturday night)
Discounted pricing at WPI bookstore
Discounted pricing at hotels (see below) and local businesses
Schedule
The match and judging schedule will be published at least one week before the event.
Each team will be assigned an Event Number to identify them in schedules, pit maps, etc.
Teams may practice on the official competition fields Friday 1000-1600 and Saturday 1000-1500. Access will not be officially scheduled (first come, first serve).
A dedicated Practice Area will be available for all teams from Friday at 1000 through Sunday at 1400. This is also first-come, first-serve. Lighting in this area is unlikely to be the same as on the competition fields, so teams should plan accordingly with any sensors that need specific lighting.
Participation Rules
Participants may follow age range for their set country. As of January 1, 2023, team members must fall within the range of
For US/Canada: 9-14
For all other regions: 9-16
If your PDP granted a special exemption to this age range, please ask them to reach out and let us know.
All attendees must have a signed consent form including all student team members and all others ages 13 and up who are in attendance. If you have not digitally signed the FIRST Consent Form, you can download a paper copy.
LOCATION INFORMATION
Getting to Worcester
Airports: There are multiple airports within about 1 hour of Worcester MA including:
Worcester Regional Airport (5 miles)
Boston Logan Int'l Airport (50 miles)
TF Green Int'l Airport (50 miles)
Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (60 miles)
Transportation to/from airport:
Car rental may be necessary depending on the choice of hotel. All airports have car rental locations on-site.
The MBTA Communter Rail will bring you from Boston Logan to Downtown Worcester (approx 2 miles from WPI)
Airport shuttles are available. Use this link for discounted WPI rates.
Staying in Worcester
Negotiated rates are available at the following hotels:
Hampton Inn and Suites Worcester (SOLD OUT)
508-886-9005
Use group code "FLL"
Courtyard Worcester (SOLD OUT)
508-363-0300
Use group code "FLL"
AC Hotel Worcester (SOLD OUT)
WPI Dorms (Limited Availability)
WPI Campus
Parking is available in the WPI Park Ave Garage and any other WPI lot, free of charge throughout the entire event.
The event will take place in Harrington Auditorium and the Sports & Rec Center at WPI
Food is available for sale on campus and there are many restaurants and stores within walking distance. Outside food is welcome at the venue.
Hours of on-campus food service will be posted soon.
VENUE INFORMATION
Robot Pits
The Robot Pits are located in the Sports & Rec Center on Floor 3.
Each team will have a 6ft table and at least two power outlets. We have purchased a number of universal adapters for our international teams.
There is no height limit in the pit area.
Approximate footprint of each pit is 8'x8'. The corners of your designated space will be marked on the floor (no pipe and drape)
Teams are welcome to decorate their pits to celebrate their teams and seasons, however it is not a requirement.
Pit Layout and Check-in
Pit map will be posted prior to the event.
Pits will be laid out in groups of 15 teams, with each group having at least one Group Leader. The job of the Group Leader is to be your point of contact for anything and everything throughout the event. Ask them lots of questions!
Upon arrival, proceed to your assigned pit table and check in with your Group Leader and provide a printed roster.
Teams are not allowed to setup practice fields/mats anywhere in the venue.
Keep aisles clear of clutter at all times.
Other Spaces
Gender-inclusive restrooms are located in the Sports & Rec Center and Harrington Auditorium, both on the 3rd floor.
There is elevator access in both the Rec Center and Harrington to move between floors.
A quiet room will be provided, although it will not be monitored. Children must be accompanied by a team adult when in the space.
If you are in need of any additional unique space for you or your team, please reach out, and we will do all that we can to accommodate.
Wireless Access
There is an open network named "firstrobotics" that teams may connect to when on campus.
Field Lighting
The event will have specific, dramatic lighting for show purposes.
During each match, field lighting is fixed. The same lighting will be available and set during all practice times.
Watching the Event
The robot matches will be live-streamed at www.twitch.tv/wpirobotics
The competition is free and open to the public for any spectators.
COMPETITION INFORMATION
Robot Competition Area
The Competition Area is located in Harrington Auditorium, which is connected to the Sports & Rec Ctr.
All Competition tables have 2"x3" walls and will be on staging raised off the ground.
All team matches will take place on one side of the arena to minimize the movement of spectators.
Teams may enter the queuing area with the team members who will be operating the robot during the match. All others should proceed to the stands.
Teams may bring carts, boxes, etc, to transport items to the field, but all items must be removed from them prior to the match start and they cannot be used during the match.
Match Flow
When the field is ready for a team, a queuer will indicate the team should proceed in an orderly fashion.
Teams may begin to set up on the field.
Team members need to look over the field and verify that it set up correctly. They should immediately tell the referee if something is wrong.
When the match is complete, two team members must review the table with the referee as it is scored. Do not touch the robot or table at this time.
Once scoring is complete and the team agrees with the referee's assessment of the table, one team member must hit "Submit" on the scoring table to finalize the score entry.
Judging Sessions
Each judging session will follow the judging session flowchart.
Teams are expected to present in English, but a translator is welcome in the room to aid in understanding, especially during any Q&A.
We trust that the translators will be aware of the core values of FIRST and not use their position to give their team any advantage.
One adult is allowed to be present at their team's judging session as a silent observer (unless acting as a translator)
There will be one power outlet available for team use at their judging table.
All judging will take place in a large room with teams split only with pipe & drape (or similar).
Qualifying Matches
Each team will receive 5 qualifying matches throughout Saturday and Sunday.
At the end of these matches, the team's highest score from those 5 matches will be used as their Robot Performance Score. Teams will be ranked 1 to 84 based on that score.
This rank will be provided to the judges and used to determine the Champion's Award winner. The robot match scores may also be used by the judges in assessment of other awards.
Awards
MORE AWARDS THEN LAST YEAR!
Nominate a Mentor!
Awarded to the team and mentor who does an outstanding job to support their team and help the kids on their team be the best they can be.
Judges will observe teams in action and hear stories from team members to help determine this award winner.
Teams are encouraged to write a short paragraph (max 500 words) regarding their mentor and nominate them to the event manager.
Advance nominations are encouraged and may be emailed to mafll@wpi.edu. All submissions are due by 3 PM on Saturday, June 9.
Potpourri
(Stuff that doesn't fit anywhere else)
Teams may bring carts, totes, etc to the field to help transport items. However, they may not interact with them during the match. All items must be kept in the launch area or in the technicians' hands during the match per the FLL rules.
Teams may only bring the items of one FLL robot to the field and no mission pieces (except innovation project model). For example, you can only bring 4 total motors to the field. If your team brought spares to the event, leave them in your pit area, not on your cart/tote.