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Awards Based on Machine, Creativity, and Innovation Oct. 10 2024| 0 KB
Content Type: FIRST Robotics Competition
Team Updates notify the FIRST Robotics Competition community of content changes to official season documentation (e.g. the Game Manual, deadlines, drawing changes, etc.), important season news, etc. (not minor typo fixes) including any noteworthy changes to this page's content. The dates listed under "Updates" will reflect the associated Team Update where any updates are made. This document is considered the authority on Awards Based on Machine, Creativity, and Innovation.
FIRST® Robotics Competition Machine, Creativity, and Innovation Awards
Machine, Creativity, and Innovation Awards recognize the technical accomplishments of teams in planning, designing, construction and operation/control of their robots. Click the expand/collapse box for each award to see the description, what events it is available at, and the full award guidelines.
Autonomous Award
Celebrates the team that has demonstrated consistent, reliable, high-performance robot operation during autonomously managed actions. Evaluation is based on the robot’s ability to sense its surroundings, position itself or onboard mechanisms appropriately, and execute tasks.
Updated
- September 12, 2023
Events Where It Is Awarded
- District Events
- Regional Competitions
- District Championship Divisions (for those Districts with multiple Divisions at their District Championships)
- District Championships (for those Districts with single Divisions at their District Championships)
- FIRST Championship Divisions
Description
Celebrates the team that has demonstrated consistent, reliable, high-performance robot operation during autonomously managed actions. Evaluation is based on the robot’s ability to sense its surroundings, position itself or onboard mechanisms appropriately, and execute tasks.
Guidelines
- The award is based on the performance of the robot’s autonomous (non-operator guided) operations during matches
- Consistent and reliable operation is weighted more heavily than the ability to score maximum points during any specific autonomously managed actions
- A team must be able to explain:
- How the robot understands its surroundings, navigates on the field or positions onboard mechanisms and then executes tasks.
- The factors the teams considered that could interfere with success during autonomously managed actions.
- The design, development, and testing that was done for the robot’s autonomously managed actions.
Creativity Award sponsored by Rockwell Automation
Celebrates creativity that enhances strategy of play and was intentionally designed and not discovered.
Updated
- August 26, 2021
Events Where It Is Awarded
- District Events
- Regional Competitions
- District Championship Divisions (for those Districts with multiple Divisions at their District Championships)
- District Championships (for those Districts with single Divisions at their District Championships)
- FIRST Championship Divisions
Description
Celebrates creativity that enhances strategy of play and was intentionally designed and not discovered.
Guidelines
- A team must be able to competently describe the creative/unique feature(s) and can trace its conception and design.
- Since creativity may involve risk of failure, the team should be able to describe how they mitigated that risk.
- The creative element’s uniqueness has a practical application and contributes to the objectives of the competition.
- Developing the creative element contributed to the team’s success on the field.
Excellence in Engineering Award
Celebrates the team that demonstrates a professional approach to the design process.
Updated
- August 26, 2021
Events Where It Is Awarded
- District Events
- Regional Competitions
- District Championship Divisions (for those Districts with multiple Divisions at their District Championships)
- District Championships (for those Districts with single Divisions at their District Championships)
- FIRST Championship Divisions
Description
Celebrates the team that demonstrates a professional approach to the design process
Guidelines
- A team must be able to describe the engineering process they went through and can trace elements of the designs from conception.
- The designs reflect an engineering solution to a specific problem, and it is functional and practical.
- The designs are elegant and advantageous on the field of play.
Industrial Design Award sponsored by General Motors
Celebrates the team that demonstrates industrial design principles, striking a balance between form, function, and aesthetics.
Updated
- August 26, 2021
Events Where It Is Awarded
- District Events
- Regional Competitions
- District Championship Divisions (for those Districts with multiple Divisions at their District Championships)
- District Championships (for those Districts with single Divisions at their District Championships)
- FIRST Championship Divisions
Description
Celebrates the team that demonstrates industrial design principles, striking a balance between form, function, and aesthetics.
Guidelines
- A team must be able to describe how their robot is elegant, efficient (simple/executable), and practical.
- The entire machine design, or the detailed process used to develop the design, is worthy of this recognition, and not just a single component.
- The robot distinguishes itself from others by its aesthetic and functional design.
Innovation in Control Award sponsored by nVent
Celebrates an innovative control system or application of control components – electrical, mechanical or software – to provide unique machine functions.
Updated
- October 10, 2024
Events Where It Is Awarded
- District Events
- Regional Competitions
- District Championship Divisions (for those Districts with multiple Divisions at their District Championships)
- District Championships (for those Districts with single Divisions at their District Championships)
- FIRST Championship Divisions
Description
Celebrates an innovative control system or application of control components – electrical, mechanical or software – to provide unique machine functions.
Guidelines
- A team must be able to identify and describe the controls innovation and can trace its conception, design, manufacturing/assembly, or deployment.
- The control system is innovative and unique. It is integrated with the machine, human players, strategy, etc. in concept and execution.
- The innovation is practical; it addresses the game’s challenge and is reliable under the stress of competition.
Quality Award
Celebrates machine robustness in concept and fabrication.
Updated
- August 26, 2021
Events Where It Is Awarded
- District Events
- Regional Competitions
- District Championship Divisions (for those Districts with multiple Divisions at their District Championships)
- District Championships (for those Districts with single Divisions at their District Championships)
- FIRST Championship Divisions
Description
Celebrates machine robustness in concept and fabrication
Guidelines
- A team must be able to describe their quality plan i.e. how their design ensures robustness throughout the entire competition.
- The entire machine demonstrates quality: workmanship, welds, attachment systems, wiring, paint, etc.
- The machine can withstand the rigors of competition – maintaining functionality, including the use of designed-in redundancy and risk mitigation measures.
- Building the machine contributes to the team’s success.