What about software?

We’ve shared quite a bit about the new kit including the hardware, drive train, motors, sensors, and communications. What about programming?

The new FTC kit will have several programming options depending on team preference, skill level, and the complexity of their robots. In addition to pre-packaged programs teams can also write C code using any compatible compiler to operate the new platform.

Bluetooth communication allows us to have the open platform at the tournaments due to much easier field controls – no more software templates.

The programming options include NXTG, a graphical programming tool that works with the NXT combined with the HiTechnic controller and sensors. Teams will also be able to choose a graphically based LabVIEW option. We’ll also offer RobotC for teams who prefer a text based C programming tool.

This range of programming will allow teams to take what they learned in FLL and apply it to FTC. It also allows FTC teams to more easily move into FRC competitions when they’re ready.

What has been shared to date?

Category:	Specifics:
Software	NXTG, LabVIEW, RobotC, and “open platform”
Communications	Bluetooth, two-way communication via computer
Electrical	12VDC system using 3,000 mAh, NiMH batteries
Motors	DC Drive - 12VDC, 152 rpm, 231.5 oz-in stall torque DC Servo - 76.37 oz-in stall torque, Karbonite geared
Sensors (avail.)	Compass, touch, ultrasonic, accelerometer, gyroscope, audible, light color, and more to come
Controller	55mHz, NXTG with HiTechnic FTC expansion controller allowing multiple configurations of motors, sensors, and encoders
Hardware	¼” thick aluminum gears. 2mm thick 5052 aluminum alloy building channel. You can also use all your Vex metal as well.

What’s left to know?

Pricing. We are listening to the FTC community. We have 12 teams participating in a showcase game at the World Championships in Atlanta. Those teams have pilot kits that include all the things we’ve talked about. Their feedback on the content, improvements, and anything else we learn from the showcase game will be incorporated into the final kits.

Over the next couple weeks we’ll also share with you how we’re dealing with curriculum tools, training, and give you a glimpse of what pilot teams have been up to in the form of some photos and video footage.

Ken

Sensors, Motors & Expandability

We’ve talked about stronger structural components – metal and gears. We’ve talked a bit about Bluetooth communication and improved interface with robots including two-way communication. This week we’ll get into detail on sensors, motors, and expandability.

The NXT is the brain – but we’ve added expansion capability to the NXT. Specifically the new kit will include a controller that extends the capability of the NXT to handle more sensors, DC drive motors, and servos. The additional controller is a product supplied by HiTechnic and plugs directly into one of the NXT sensor ports.

DC motors, servos, and sensors can all be wired directly into the HiTechnic FTC Controller terminal block – greatly expanding the capability of the robotics kit.

The range of sensors available includes touch sensor, compass, light sensor, color sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, ultrasonic, and there will be more in the future. Additionally, there is a prototyping kit that allows the inventive users to create sensor modules for the NXT controller. The sensors we’ll include in the kit will depend on the feedback we get from teams and the game designs we’ll use in the future.

Now that we’ve got a stronger structure and gear train we can use more powerful motors. To drive those motors we’re moving to a 12VDC system. The batteries will be 7.2VCD NiMH, wired in series for a nominal 14.4VDC power input. The controller will direct this power to heavy-duty 12VDC drive motors rated for 152 RPM and a stall torque of 231.5 oz-in.

The kit will also include DC servo motors with Karbonite gears rated for 76.37 oz.in.

The new kit is stronger, has higher voltage – longer amp hour batteries, includes DC drive motors and stronger servo motors, incorporates a wide variety of sensors that will be expandable in the future, and a communication protocol that allows for more options including the game controller and bi-directional communication.

These changes allow us to challenge teams in ways not possible in the past.

An example of the power we’re talking about can be seen in the video below.



Stay tuned,

Ken

Bluetooth

Technology improvements over the last several years have resulted in all kinds of options for digital communication. The new robotics platform uses the Bluetooth communication protocol for driver control.

Again - why?

Bluetooth provides several advantages to teams like running multiple robots with less chance of frequency interference and the ability to have two way communication between operator and robot.

This opens up a range of options for robotic design and sensor use. Two way communication is essential to developers of robots used in a variety of real world applications - FTC teams now have the same advantages.

You'll notice from the short video the robot is driven with a game controller. The game controller interfaces via a dongle to the robot. This form factor gives drivers the ability to tightly control the robot - similar to how you'd play a video game.



You'll get a chance to see this in action at the World Championships in April.

More information will follow - let us know what you think.

Ken

Questions and Concerns

Since making the preliminary announcement to FIRST's key volunteers there's been quite a bit of buzz about the platform change. We've seen it here in the comments, via phone, and on Chief Delphi.

A few answers:

Does the new kit require anything more than hand tools?

No it does not. A key concept with FTC is a kit of parts that can be reconfigured and doesn't require a machine shop. You'll need hand tools, and you can cut and shape the components any way you'd like, but you can do it all by hand.

When will it be commercially available, what is the time frame?

The final kit configuration will be influenced by feedback from pilot teams. Registration for the 2008 FTC season will start at the beginning of May. At that point final details of the kit will be available. Teams will be able to order kits at a special price in May. The kits will ship in August.

Is this a finished, tested kit?

The new platform was developed by FIRST in conjunction with several commercial partners. We decided to develop a platform specifically for FTC as opposed to using a commercially available kit that we'd fit to the program. The new FTC kit will be more thoroughly tested than anything FIRST has offered in the past.

Is the new platform a true system or a collection of metal?

The new platform is a building system. The hole locations and metal configuration allow teams to build drive trains, mount motors, and build truss systems that will withstand a great deal of stress.

Can I use batteries from my Vex kit in the new platform?

The new platform will use 7.2V batteries however they will be rated higher (3,000 mAh). There are more details on the drive train available soon. Batteries used with Vex will work however in competition you'll want to use the batteries you'll get with the kit.

Will the new game be played on the existing field?

FTC will continue to use the 12' x 12' playing field. Your investment in fields will not be lost. We will continue to modify the game year to year. The new platform allows us to challenge teams with real world robotics issues. We'll do that through game design.

Next post?

I'll release more information tomorrow regarding the communications system for the new platform.

Stay tuned,

Ken

New FTC Platform

It's official - FTC will move to a new robotics platform for the 2008 competition season beginning this fall.

The primary question is "why?"

We're making the change to give our teams the raw material they need to solve real robotics challenges that exist today. The new kit is a true robotics prototyping platform. It includes a variety of components from sensors, to motors, to metal, that represent current technology. This is not a toy.

Over the next 7 weeks leading up the the FIRST World Championships in Atlanta I'll share information via this blog on the specifics of the new kit.

To finalize those specifics we're asking 12 teams to participate in a showcase tournament at the World Championships using the new platform. These teams will give us feedback so we can make any final adjustments.

We are working with several commercial partners to provide this kit to the FTC community. PITSCO will be the integrator of the various components - but that's only part of the team we're working with.

The controller or brain for the new platform is robust. It is 38% faster and has about 10 times more memory than our previous controller. It's also rated to withstand a 40" drop and keep working. You'll recognize the packaging, it's based on the LEGO NXT controller but will do a lot more than your standard NXT. More on that to follow.



The structure of the new platform is metal. Specifically 12 gauge aluminum. The photo above shows a piece of the kit with two 25lb. weights, one tied to each end. The video below is one of our engineers hanging from an overhead bar using a piece of the new kit. Stronger metal allows teams to build robots that can withstand a lot of abuse - consistent with real world applications. You can keep using the metal you have from the previous kit as well.



The new gears are also aluminum, 1/4" thick. As we look at ways to develop new robots we wanted to be able to apply more torque to the drive train and other assemblies you might develop. These gears allow that.



There will be more information posted here in the coming weeks including the communications, sensors, motors, software options, and showcase game.

Stay tuned!

Ken

Congratulations - You've Found It!

Welcome to the place for FTC news including information on the new platform.

We've created this blog to post information over the next 7 weeks leading up to the FTC World Championship. You're free to post your comments to let us know what you think.

Depending on how this works we may continue on with this blog as the conduit for FTC information.

We're excited about moving FTC forward, we hope you'll be too.

Ken