FIRST Robotics Competition robots are composed of a large amount of electronics devices to run and control the different functions of the robot.
Control System
The control system is the brains of the robot. It runs the code created by the Programming Team, processing inputs from sensors around the robot, and sending commands to motors and other devices.
Devices
Power Distribution
Power for the robot comes from one larger 12V battery, and must be spread out thought the robot to ensure that all the devices onboard get the power that they need and provides surge and overcurrent protection to the devices.
Devices
- Power Distribution Hub
- Power Distribution Panel 2.0
- 120 Amp Breaker
- Voltage Regulator Module
- Mini Power Module
Radio
The radio connects the robot to the driver station during practice, and to the field during competitions.
Devices
Motors and Controllers
Motors are how the robot moves around the field and drives the mechanisms to interact with game elements and the field. Each motor needs a controller to translate signals from the control system to voltage applied to the motor.
Devices
Devices are divided into motors and controllers, however some motors may have their controllers integrated.
Motors
Controllers
Vision
Vision uses onboard cameras to observe the field and the game pieces to determine the robots location on the field, and the relative location of objects, making it possible to have to robot path to a location automatically.
Devices
Sensors
Robots use a variety of sensors to gain data about the position of mechanisms and game pieces inside of the robot.
Devices
Servos
Servos are a type of motor that use their own feedback loop to reach a position set in the robot code.
Devices
Pneumatics
Pneumatics use air pressure instead of electronic power to move components of the robot
Devices
There are two main types of electrical devices when it comes to pneumatics. The controllers, which takes electrical commands from the control system and translates them to other devices, and pressure devices that create and use air pressure.