Breakaway - 2010 FIRST Challenge

This year's FRC challenge is Breakaway, which is played on a 27'x54' field, containing two bumps. Each bump has a tower and a tunnel in the middle. On each end of the field are two vision targets, assisting in scoring during the autonomous period. In the game, alliances of three teams compete on each end of the field.

The Objective

The objective of Breakaway is to utilize robots to score into your team's goal. The game piece this year is a standard soccer ball, which must be kicked or rolled into the goal. Robots may be equipped with cameras to track the goal location with the vision target.

Autonomous Period

During the 15-second autonomous period, soccer balls are placed in specific locations on the field. In the section of the field closest to an alliance, one ball will be placed. Two more soccer balls will be placed in the middle zone and then three balls will be placed in the zone farthest from the alliance. One robot from each alliance will be placed in each zone. Each robot is responsible for scoring the balls in its respective zone and then moving out of the next robot's way.

Teleoperated Period

In the teleoperated period, the alliances will be able to control their robot from behind the walls at the end of the field. The players may then try to score goals from anywhere on the field.

Robots may defend their goals or navigate the field. In order to cross from one zone to the other, robots must either drive through the tunnel or over the bumps. Note that driving over the bumps may lead to a flipped robot.

When a goal has been scored, human players will collect the ball and pass it to another human player at the center of the alliance station. That player will then use a trident to place the ball on a ramp to put it back in play.

Toward the end of the match, robots congregate at their tower and bonus points are awarded if a robot stops on the platform above the tunnel or if a robot uses an arm to elevate itself. Additional bonus points will be given if another robot hangs itself from another elevated robot.

Scoring

• 1 point is awarded for each ball scored in the goal.
• 2 bonus points are awarded for each robot that elevates itself above or on the platform
• 3 bonus points are awarded for each robot that elevates itself from another robot

Images courtesy Dave Lavery/Havabanana Productions