Past Robots
Every year, we design an entirely new robot to meet the unique challenge presented by the FIRST Robotics Competition. Check out some of our past designs below, in addition to a description of that year’s challenge and a link to the video (accessible by clicking on the challenge logo).
2026 Competition
Challenge: Rebuilt
In the 2026 Rebuilt challenge, teams are tasked with creating a robot in order to shoot “fuel” into hubs in order to score points. The hubs switch from being active and inactive for each team in 25 second intervals.
During the end game (last 30 seconds), both of the hubs are active and available for scoring, and teams are tasked on climbing up a 3 level structure in order to secure more points for their team.
2025 Competition
Challenge: Reefscape
In the 2025 Reefscape challenge, teams and their respective robots compete in order to secure points on the field. Through collecting coral and depositing it in their REEF, or by collecting algae and scoring it in their PROCESSOR, they score points for their team. At the end of the match, the robots end by parking themselves in either their team’s barge zone, or by suspending themselves from a cage.
2024 Competition
Challenge: Crescendo
Robots compete to collect notes and deposit them in various designated areas throughout the field. After traversing the field and delivering the notes, robots end by climbing and suspending themselves on a chain.
2023 Competition
Challenge: Charged Up
In this challenge, alliance try to “charge up” their community by collecting cubes and cones and placing them on their grid. In accordance with the theme of community and Coopertition®, there are certain tasks teams can complete that will benefit both alliances.
2022 Competition
Challenge: Rapid React
Alliances compete to gain points by collecting and depositing cargo, which they can find on the field or get from their team’s human player. Robots begin on the tarmac with a 15 second period of autonomous play before being driven by the teams for the remainder of the round. Toward the end of the round, robots try to climb as high as they can on the rungs of their hanger.
2021 Competition
Challenge: Infinite Recharge
*Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the 2020 challenge was reused for 2021 and teams were allowed to continue working on their robots from the previous year.*
2020 Competition
Challenge: Infinite Recharge
There is an asteroid shower headed toward FIRST City, and alliances must rush to collect power points to fuel their shield. Robots should perform within their designated boundaries and aim to power three levels of their shield to ensure maximum protection. As time runs out, robots can hang themselves on the generator switch for extra points.
2019 Competition
Challenge: Deep Space
In this space-themed challenge, alliances compete to build and load their spaceship before the next sandstorm sweeps in. Alliances can gain points by securing hatches, loading cargo, and returning their robots to the habitat before time runs out. During the first 15 seconds of the round, the teams’ vision is obstructed and robots must act autonomously or using a vision system on the robot.
2018 Competition
Challenge: FIRST Power Up
Alliances compete for points in this arcade-themed challenge. Teams gain points by delivering power cubes to the scale or switch within the pit. Whichever alliance has delivered the most cubes to each entity gains ownership of that entity until the scales are tipped in the other favor. Points are awarded based on the duration of ownership. Robots can also deliver cubes to the team, who can choose to return said cubes or store the cubes in the team vault, which they can use to gain a temporary power up during the round.
2017 Competition
Challenge: FIRST Steamworks
Two alliances made of three teams each compete to have the most prepared airship. This is done through each robot collecting and depositing fuel elements in the steam engine, delivering gears to the airship, and climbing the ship before the end of the round. Throughout the round, teams can use hoppers around the pit to give robots additional fuel elements and gears.
2016 Competition
Challenge: FIRST Stronghold
In this FIRST Competition, 2 alliances composed of 3 teams each have a tower, five defenses, and passage where the robots can restock on boulders to break the opponent’s defense. Using the “boulders”, robots are instructed to shoot the opponent’s defenses or climb the opponent’s tower in order to score points.
2015 Competition
Challenge: Recycle Rush
In this recycling-themed challenge by FIRST, alliances compete to score the most points by stacking Totes on platforms on the field and capping the stacks by using Recycling Containers. Alternative ways of scoring include depositing litter which is represented by pool noodles in their designated areas.
2014 Competition
Challenge: Aerial Assist
In this teamwork-focused FIRST challenge, teams are instructed to try and score as many points as possible by shooting balls through goals placed in the air. Teams are awarded extra points for completing “assists”, where robots pass the ball from one robot to another as they travel through the field before completing a goal.
2013 Competition
Challenge: Ultimate Ascent
For 2013’s FIRST Robotics Competition, teams are tasked with scoring goals at different heights using discs. At the end of the match, teams have to climb a pyramid and are awarded extra points depending on how high the robot is able to climb.
2012 Competition
Challenge: Rebound Rumble
In Rebound Rumble, teams are challenged to score basketballs in hoops at varying heights. The higher the hoop, the more points that are scored for the team. Unique to Rebound Rumble, there is a “Hybrid Period” which lasts for 15 seconds at the start of a match. In this period, robots are controlled with a Microsoft Kinect, and if any baskets are scored during this period, then the team earns extra points. At the end of the match, robots attempt to balance on a bridge in order to score additional points.