Exploring INTO THE DEEP℠ from FIRST® Tech Challenge

A global robotics community, FIRST^® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), is committed to sparking a passion for innovation in young minds. Through engaging, mentor-guided programs, students dive into engineering, programming, and robotics challenges, while developing critical technical skills, confidence, self-esteem, and communication abilities—empowering them to become the next generation of leaders and innovators. These programs provide a creative, inclusive learning environment that goes beyond robotics, helping students build a brighter future. FIRST offers hands-on learning opportunities for all ages and experience levels through FIRST^® LEGO League (FLL), FIRST^® Tech Challenge (FTC), and FIRST^® Robotics Competition (FRC).

The 2024-2025 FIRST^® season, FIRST^® DIVE℠ presented by Qualcomm, takes teams on an underwater journey to explore life beneath the ocean’s surface. Teams will use their STEM and collaboration skills to uncover how we can build stronger communities and innovate for healthier oceans.

About FIRST^® Tech Challenge

FTC brings together students and mentors to design, code, build, and compete with robots in thrilling challenges. Geared towards students with some robotics experience, FTC bridges the gap between beginners and the more advanced FRC program. But FIRST Tech Challenge is more than just about building robots, it equips young people with the skills and confidence to tackle real-world problems and become global citizens. Gracious Professionalism^® is a core value of the FIRST ethos. Guided by the FIRST Core Values of Coopertition^®, discovery, innovation, inclusion, and fun, FTC fosters a sense of purpose and resilience, inspiring students to create a better future.

INTO THE DEEP: 2024-2025 Season

Get ready to dive into the ocean's depths with the 2024-2025 FIRST Tech Challenge season, INTO THE DEEP^℠ presented by RTX! This year’s game offers many opportunities for teams to display their skills and creativity. Imagine your robot exploring uncharted waters, uncovering hidden wonders, and taking on daring new challenges! With more scoring zones, a heart-pounding two-level climb, and an action-packed split game field, the possibilities are endless. Can your team rise to the occasion and conquer the depths? It's time to strategize, build, and compete in one of the most exciting FTC seasons yet!

What’s New in INTO THE DEEP?

While the INTO THE DEEP game shares some similarities with last year's FIRST Tech Challenge CENTERSTAGE game, several exciting new features set it apart:

More Scoring Zones: This year, additional scoring zones give teams more opportunities to earn points and strategize.
Two Scoring Stations in Teleop: Each alliance now has two scoring stations during teleoperated play, doubling the opportunities to score compared to last year's single station.
Two-Level Climb Challenge: Robots must climb two levels this year! First, they must reach and hang from the first rung before progressing to the second.
Split Game Field: The field is divided into two sections, ensuring each alliance has exclusive access to their side, allowing smoother gameplay.

Game Strategy Tips:

This season’s game is filled with scoring opportunities! Here are some key considerations to guide your strategy and help you design the ultimate competition robot:

Scoring Strategy: With so many ways to earn points, choose the scoring tasks that best align with your team's strengths. Will you focus on the 8 points for scoring a Sample in the High Basket, or aim for the 10 points for placing a Specimen in the High Chamber? And don’t forget the End Game – successfully hanging could net you huge points!
Collecting Game Pieces: The sample size (3.5" x 1.5" x 1.5") provides multiple options for how your robot can grab it. A claw or pincher might work for precise placement, while a roller intake can help you quickly scoop samples from the submersible zone.
Basket Strategy: Baskets are versatile but tricky. They accept any color sample, but at 25.75" and 43" high, you’ll need a 3 or 4-stage lift. Plan carefully as baskets can fill up fast!
Specimen Strategy: Specimens are color-specific to your alliance, limiting scoring options but offering high-scoring chances. The low chamber is shorter than the low basket, while the high chamber is 26". Can your robot handle these heights efficiently?
End Game Plan: How will you approach the End Game? Will you aim for the 20" low rung or shoot for the high rung at 36" to grab 30 points?
Maximizing Scoring Opportunities: Design a robot that can tackle multiple scoring elements. The more versatile the robot you build, the more chances to score big!
Teamwork & Strategy: Teamwork makes the dream work! With two scoring stations per alliance, it’s time to get strategic. Will your team split up to cover more ground or go all in on the same target? Know your robot’s superpowers and be ready to share them with your alliance. The better you communicate and play to your strengths, the bigger the wins!

As teams prepare for the depths of competition, having the right tools is essential to rise to the challenge. That's where Studica Robotics steps in.

How Studica Robotics Can Help

Having the right tools and components becomes critical to staying ahead of the competition. Studica Robotics is a comprehensive robotics building platform with everything you need to build, learn, and compete. To tackle any challenge INTO THE DEEP that comes your way, we have the products you'll need for your robot.

Slides: Take your robot's performance to the next level with Studica’s powerful linear slides and pulley systems. Built for speed and precision, these components make scooping up samples a breeze. Explore our wide range of slides, pulleys, belts, and gears to find the perfect fit for your design!

SLIDES

PULLEYS

BELTS

GEARS

Servo Motors:
- Our lightweight, stackable slides, combined with the flexibility of the Multi-Mode Smart Servo, ring serious power without the bulk—perfect for keeping your robot fast and nimble! The servo can function as a continuous rotation or standard servo, making it perfect for active intakes or gripping mechanisms.
- The Multi-Mode Smart Servo 200 – FAST rotates at 200RPM which can be useful for instances such as an inactive intake.
Power Block: The Servo Power Block ensures your servos run at peak performance by supplying 6V, enhancing the efficiency of any mechanism.

MULTI-MODE SMART SERVO

MULTI-MODE SMART SERVO 200 - FAST

SERVO POWER BLOCK

Structure: Crafted from 3mm thick, 6061-T6 aluminum, our structure components are anodized, deburred, and polished for maximum durability and safety. Despite being lightweight, they’re incredibly strong and built to last. With a wide range of options—from U-Channels to various brackets and beams—our versatile hole pattern allows for endless customization.
Intake Wheels: For reliable intakes, our Flex (Compliant) Wheels offer excellent grip, especially when picking up specimens available in 35A, 40A, 50A, and 60A.
Chassis Kit: The FTC Drive Base Kit, featuring a robust Mecanum drivebase, remains a top choice for navigating the competition field with ease.

STRUCTURE

FLEX WHEELS

FTC DRIVE BASE KIT

The 2024-2025 FIRST Tech Challenge season, INTO THE DEEP, takes robotics teams on an exciting underwater adventure. This season's game introduces new challenges, such as more scoring zones, a two-level climb, and a split game field, giving teams plenty of opportunities to score big. Teams will need to strategize around collecting game pieces, placing them in baskets, specimen scoring, and the endgame climb. Studica Robotics offers a wide range of tools and resources, including linear slides, servo motors, and our chassis kit, to help teams build versatile robots capable of tackling these underwater challenges. As your team prepares to dive INTO THE DEEP, make sure you’re equipped with the tools to succeed. Check out Studica Robotics today, and get ready to take on the depths of competition!