White Bear Lake Robotics

The 2010 challenge was released on January 9, 2010. Following the release of this year's challenge, each team has six weeks to design, build, and test a robot to compete at the regional competitions. All robots will be shipped to their regionals on February 23.

The 2010 challenge is "Breakaway."

©FIRST

Breakaway is a soccer-inspired game played on a carpeted rectangular field. The field is divided by two bumps running the width of the field, with a tower in the center of each bump. Two alliances (red and blue) of three robots each compete to score as many points as possible by moving balls into the goals in the corners of the field. Additional points may be scored at the end of the game by robots hanging from the towers, and by robots hanging from other robots which are elevated from the playing field.

©FIRST

The 2010 Breakaway Field

Each match is 2 minutes and 15 seconds long. The match begins with a 15-second autonomous period, in which robots may only operate from pre-programmed instructions and sensor feedback. No human operation of the robots is allowed during this time. Following the autonomous period is the 2-minute teleoperated period, in which human drivers operate the robot using controller systems.

Game Pieces:

Breakaway uses standard size 5 soccer balls. These are moved by the robots into the goals in the corners of the field. Once they are in the goals, they may be returned to the field by a human player using a trident.

©FIRST

The soccer ball and trident used in Breakaway

Scoring:

Each scored ball is worth 1 point. Any robots hanging from the towers are awarded 2 points, and any robots hanging from elevated robots and not in contact with any field elements or other robots are awarded 3 points.

Game Animation:

Click here to view this year's game animation on YouTube and see how the game is played.

For more detailed rules and information on this year's challenge, please view the 2010 Competition Manual section of the FIRST website HERE.