Sandstorms and Rockets Key to 2019 FIRST Robotics Scoring

By Rylie Hana

From driving through a simulated sandstorm, to filling rocket ships with cargo, the 2019 FIRST Robotics Competition Game, Destination: Deep Space, challenges teams to design their robots to earn match points in several ways.

Figuring out the right mix of points will determine both how the Foley Freeze team does in each match and how they perform in the rankings, according to Jon Crombe, mentor of The Foley Freeze.

Each match allows both alliances the possibility to earn up to a theoretical maximum of 154 points, not counting additional points that may be awarded for any fouls. At the same time, teams also are competing for another type of point, called ranking points, that will determine each teams position for playoffs at the end of the meet. Ranking points can be earned even when teams lose the match.

The first points are possible during the 15-second sandstorm, when a black curtain blocks the drivers’ view and they can only drive using a camera or relying on automation. Robots earn from 3-6 point for driving completely off the starting platform, also called the Hab. The highest points are for robots that are able to drive off a 18-inch platform.

The other main source of points comes from the robots placing hatch covers over storage bins on a rocket or cargo ship — which have hook and loop fasteners to hold them in place — and then putting cargo, which are inflated rubber balls, into the secured spaces. Attaching a hatch is worth two points and storing the cargo is worth three points.

At the end of the match, teams also get points for getting the robots back on one of the three levels of the Hab platform. The highest level is worth 12 points, the second level is worth 6 and the lowest level, the easiest, is worth 3 points.

Teams can also earn two ranking points for winning and one point for a tie. If they fill a rocket ship completely with cargo, that earn one ranking point, as does scoring 15 points at the end of the match based on robot positions on the Hab platform.

To achieve the maximum of 154 points, an alliance would have to have all 3 robots starting on the level 2 platform in Sandstorm (18 points), fill the Cargo Ship (40 points), fill both Rockets (30 points each for a total of 60 points), and have 3 robots climb off of level 3 (36 points)..

However, Crombe says it is very unlikely that this score will be seen, due to the difficulty of fitting more than one robot on the fairly small Hab level 2 and being able to fit 3 robots climbing on the 3rd level. It is more likely that the season high score will be somewhere in the high 130’s or the low 140’s.

This high score is lower than the highest scores seen in the previous few years, Crombe said. (for example, the highest score in 2018 without penalties was 488).

For more information about the game visit FIRST’s website.