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Competitive Robotics Prep: FIRA, VEX, and RoboCup

9 weeks

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Phase 1: Fundamentals & Competition Orientation (Weeks 1-4)

Week 1: Competition Landscape & Rules Review

  • Topics: Overview of major competitions: VEX (e.g., “Spin Up” or the current season’s game), RoboCup Junior (Soccer, Rescue, OnStage), and FIRA categories.
  • Activities:
    • Introduce official rulebooks, scoring criteria, and field layouts.
    • Discuss key differences (e.g., autonomous vs. driver control in VEX, autonomous soccer strategy in RoboCup, multi-disciplinary approach in FIRA).
    • Students pick a “focus event” for a practice challenge.

Week 2: Structural Design for Competitions

  • Topics: Principles of a robust chassis, modular design for quick adjustments, gearing strategies (for speed vs. torque), and effective use of structural components.
  • Activities:
    • Teams build a basic, sturdy chassis aligned with standard competition dimensions.
    • Introduce basic tools and best practices for cable management and quick repairs.

Week 3: Advanced Sensors & Electronics Integration

  • Topics: Sensor selection for competitions: line trackers (RoboCup Rescue), vision sensors (VEX object tracking), ultrasonic/infrared sensors (FIRA soccer navigation).
  • Activities:
    • Wire and configure sensors on the robot platform.
    • Run simple sensor-based tests (line following, object detection, wall avoidance).

Week 4: Control Systems & Basic Autonomous Programming

  • Topics: PID control basics, closed-loop feedback, autonomous routines.
  • Activities:
    • Implement simple autonomous tasks: drive forward a set distance, follow a line segment, detect and stop at an obstacle.
    • Tune basic PID or proportional controls for smoother motion.

Phase 2: Specialized Skill Building (Weeks 5-8)

Week 5: Programming for Strategic Play (VEX Focus)

  • Topics: Event-specific autonomous strategies, time-based vs. sensor-based navigation, using encoders/IMUs for precise movements.
  • Activities:
    • Develop a timed autonomous routine to pick up and place game elements (for a sample VEX scenario).
    • Students learn to optimize code for efficiency and reliability under time constraints.

Week 6: RoboCup Junior Focus – Soccer & Rescue Scenarios

  • Topics: Robot soccer basics: locating a ball (often IR or special beacon detection), pushing strategies, coordinated movement. Rescue: line-following with color-coded signals, obstacle avoidance, victim identification (light or sound cues).
  • Activities:
    • Program line-follow algorithms that can handle branching paths.
    • Test ball detection routines and practice controlling a rolling ball in a mini-soccer field setup.

Week 7: FIRA Focus – Navigation & Strategy

  • Topics: Understanding FIRA categories (e.g., FIRA RoboSot for soccer, FIRA Air for drones, if applicable). Focus on wheeled bots: agility, maze navigation, object transportation.
  • Activities:
    • Implement strategies for quick directional changes, map a simple arena, and plan routes autonomously.
    • Challenge: navigate a mini-maze to reach a “goal” area using sensors and odometry.

Week 8: Team Coordination & Iterative Improvement

  • Topics: Division of labor: builders, programmers, strategists, drivers. Continuous improvement cycles.
  • Activities:
    • Run practice matches or mini-challenges with time limits.
    • Teams analyze performance data (success rates, time to complete tasks) and brainstorm improvements.

Phase 3: Advanced Strategies & Refinement (Weeks 9-12)

Week 9: Autonomous Optimization & Vision Integration

  • Topics: Using camera/vision sensors for object detection and target alignment. More advanced logic (state machines, multi-sensor fusion).
  • Activities:
    • Implement vision-based alignment (e.g., center robot on a particular color-coded target).
    • Fine-tune autonomous routines for reliability under variable conditions.

Week 10: Advanced Mechanical Adjustments

  • Topics: Fine-tuning gear ratios, adjusting weight distribution, optimizing wheel selection (omni vs. traction wheels for VEX, for example).
  • Activities:
    • Execute controlled experiments: test robot speed, turning radius, and stability changes with different setups.
    • Document adjustments and their performance outcomes.

Week 11: Competition Simulation – VEX-Style Match

  • Topics: Complete simulation of a standard VEX match: autonomous period, driver control period, scoring elements.
  • Activities:
    • Teams run a timed “mock match,” scoring points by manipulating objects or achieving field tasks.
    • Instructors provide immediate feedback on strategy, driving skill, and code robustness.

Week 12: Competition Simulation – RoboCup & FIRA Style Challenges

  • Topics: Simulate RoboCup Junior Rescue line course or a soccer match setup; for FIRA, a simplified navigation/obstacle challenge.
  • Activities:
    • Run a mock “Rescue” course with multiple sensor triggers.
    • Attempt a mini “soccer” round: robots try to detect and push a ball into a goal area.

Phase 4: Final Preparations, Strategy & Presentation (Weeks 13-16)

Week 13: Strategic Adjustments & Advanced Debugging

  • Topics: Identifying weak points in design or code, advanced debugging techniques, version control for code.
  • Activities:
    • Students run multiple trials and track data (time to complete tasks, scoring averages).
    • Implement final improvements based on data-driven decisions.

Week 14: Polishing Autonomous and Driver Control Skills

  • Topics: Driver training: practice responsive and precise joystick control (for VEX); refine autonomous modes further.
  • Activities:
    • Driver drills: picking up and placing objects quickly.
    • Autonomous drills: consistent and repeatable line following or target detection.

Week 15: Final Mock Tournament

  • Topics: Emulate a mini-tournament environment with team alliances, referees, and scoring.
  • Activities:
    • Run multiple rounds of matches.
    • Teams rotate through roles (driver, coach, programmer) to understand all aspects of competition.

Week 16: Reflection, Documentation & Next Steps

  • Topics: Documenting designs, code, and strategies for future events; discussing potential areas of advancement (custom parts, AI-based vision, improved algorithms).
  • Activities:
    • Teams produce a short technical portfolio including design rationale, code snippets, and competition strategies.
    • Group discussion on lessons learned, how to prepare for real events, and future improvement plans.

Assessment & Evaluation

  • Formative Assessments:

    • Weekly performance reviews during practice challenges.
    • Code reviews and mechanical design critiques.
    • Sensor and navigation tests with graded rubrics.
  • Summative Assessments:

    • Final mock tournament performance (scoring, reliability, teamwork under pressure).
    • Technical portfolio and presentation explaining robot design, programming approach, and competition strategies.
  • Peer & Self-Evaluations:

    • Students reflect on their teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving roles.
    • Peer feedback on communication and support within the team.

Extensions & Enrichment

  • Advanced Topics (as time permits):

    • AI and machine learning approaches for vision-based tasks.
    • Custom PCB design or 3D printing parts for specialized functions.
    • Participation in scrimmages with neighboring clubs or online simulation challenges.
  • Connecting to Higher-Level Competitions:

    • Explore opportunities to move from local/regional events to national or international championships.
    • Guest lectures from veteran competitors or mentors who have participated in world championships.

By the end of the course, students will have gained not only strong technical and mechanical competencies but also the strategic and teamwork capabilities essential for excelling in competitive robotics events like FIRA, VEX, and RoboCup Junior. This focused preparation will position them to confidently enter actual competitions, adapt to evolving game rules, and perform under the stress and excitement of a real tournament environment.

  • Fundamentals & Competition Orientation
  • Specialized Skill Building
  • Advanced Strategies & Refinement
  • Final Preparations, Strategy & Presentation
  • Assessment & Evaluation
  • Extensions & Enrichment
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