FTC glossary

These are working explanations for beginners. For a competition ruling, use the definition in the current Competition Manual.

FIRST and the team

FIRST

For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, the organization behind several youth robotics programs.

FTC

FIRST Tech Challenge, the program this guide is about.

STEM

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Rookie

A team or person in their first season of the program.

Season

One yearly cycle of the program and its game.

Kickoff

The release of the new season's game.

Coach

An adult who helps organize and support the team.

Mentor

Someone who shares experience and helps students learn.

Program Delivery Partner

The organization that runs FIRST programs in a country or region.

Gracious Professionalism

Doing good work while treating other people with respect.

Coopertition

Helping others while also competing with them.

Outreach

Work that shares the team's learning or opportunities beyond its members.

Sponsor

A person or organization providing money, equipment, services, or other support.

Budget

A plan for the money coming in and going out.

The robot

Chassis

The robot's main supporting frame.

Drivetrain

The motors, wheels, and associated parts that move the robot.

Mecanum

A wheel arrangement with angled rollers that can allow sideways movement.

Strafe

Move sideways without first turning to face that direction.

Mechanism

Connected parts arranged to perform a task.

Intake

A mechanism that collects game objects.

Actuator

A device that makes something move, such as a motor or servo.

Motor

A device that turns electrical energy into motion.

Torque

Turning force around an axis.

RPM

Revolutions per minute, a measure of rotational speed.

Gearbox

Gears arranged to change speed and torque between an input and an output.

Servo

An actuator commonly commanded by position, or by speed in continuous-rotation mode.

Shaft

A rod that turns and carries rotation to other parts.

Bearing

A part that supports a shaft while allowing it to rotate.

Fastener

A part that joins other parts, such as a screw or nut.

Sensor

A device that measures something for the robot.

Encoder

A sensor that measures rotation.

IMU

Inertial measurement unit; a sensor package measuring motion and orientation.

Robot Controller

The device running the robot code.

Control Hub

A REV device combining a Robot Controller computer with connections for robot hardware.

Expansion Hub

A REV device that provides additional hardware connections.

Driver Station

The device used to select programs, start and stop them, and send gamepad input.

Configuration

The record of devices, ports, and names used by the Robot Controller.

Voltage, V

The electrical difference that drives current, measured in volts.

Current, A

The flow of electric charge, measured in amperes.

Polarity

Which electrical contact is positive and which is negative.

Strain relief

Securing a cable so a pull is not taken by the connector.

Stall

A powered motor being unable to turn.

Programming

Software

Programs and apps running on a computer or controller.

Blocks

FTC's visual programming tool, using connected instruction shapes.

Java

A text-based programming language supported for FTC robot code.

OpMode

One selectable FTC robot program.

Initialize / Init

Prepare a program and its hardware before the running phase.

Input

Information a program reads, such as a button or sensor measurement.

Output

Something the program controls, such as motor power.

Variable

A named place to store a value.

Condition

A question the code evaluates, such as whether a button is pressed.

Loop

Instructions that repeat.

Function

A named group of instructions that can be called.

Timeout

A maximum allowed time before an action stops or reports failure.

Simulator

Software that models a robot or environment so you can try an idea without the physical hardware.

Backup

A separate saved copy you can recover if the working copy is lost.

CAD and engineering

CAD

Computer-aided design: making accurate drawings and models with software.

Part Studio

An Onshape tab used to create parts.

Sketch

A flat drawing used to define a part.

Plane

A flat reference surface.

Origin

The fixed point where the reference axes meet.

Dimension

A measurement that controls or describes geometry.

Constraint

A relationship that controls geometry, such as keeping two lines parallel.

Extrude

Extend a flat region into a solid, or use it to remove material.

Feature

A modelling operation, such as a sketch, extrusion, or cut.

Assembly

Parts positioned together with their connections defined.

Mate

A rule defining how two assembly parts can move relative to each other.

Degree of freedom

An independent movement still available to a part.

Version

A fixed snapshot of a design or set of files.

BOM

Bill of materials: the parts and quantities in a design.

COTS

Commercial off-the-shelf: a part bought ready-made.

Prototype

An early model used to answer a design question.

Iteration

Changing a design after learning from a test.

Integration

Bringing separate parts of a robot together and testing them as one system.

Tolerance

The allowed variation in a dimension.

Clearance

An intended gap between parts.

STL

A file format representing a surface with triangles, commonly used for 3D printing.

STEP

A file format used to exchange precise geometry between CAD systems.

DXF

A drawing exchange format often used for flat cutting outlines.

Slicer

Software that turns a 3D model into printer instructions.

Competition and judging

Alliance

Teams playing together on one side in a match.

Autonomous / auto

Robot operation without driver input.

Teleop

The driver-controlled part of the match.

Drive team

The people permitted to operate and support the robot at the field.

Human player

A drive-team role performing the game's permitted human interactions.

Cycle

One repeat of a task, such as collect, travel, score, and return.

Penalty

A consequence for breaking a rule.

Pit

A team's workspace at an event.

Inspection

Checks that a robot and control system meet applicable rules.

FTA

FIRST Technical Advisor, supporting technical operation of the competition field.

Qualification matches

Scheduled matches with changing partners, used to establish team rankings.

Playoffs

The later matches used to decide the event’s winning alliance.

Advancement

Qualifying for a later event under the applicable system.

Scouting

Observing other teams and recording what their robots can do.

Queue

The place or process for assembling teams before a match.

Referee

A volunteer who applies the game rules and determines scoring and penalties.

Judge

A volunteer who evaluates team work for judged awards.

Engineering notebook

The ongoing record of the team's work and decisions.

Portfolio

A short selection of the team's work prepared for judging.

Judging interview

A conversation where students explain their work and answer judges' questions.

Team Update

An official announcement of changes or clarifications to the rules.

Q&A

The official question-and-answer system for interpreting game rules.