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Deep dive into the mechanical systems that bring your robot to life—from movement to manipulation.
Motors are the workhorses of FRC robots, providing precise, variable control for movement and mechanisms.
The gold standard for FRC. Integrated motor controller, high power output, and built-in encoder.
⚡ Key Advantage
Motors with encoders enable precision movement in autonomous—critical for accurate scoring and navigation.
Pneumatic systems use compressed air to actuate cylinders, providing binary (extended/retracted) motion.
🎯 Best Use Cases
Pneumatics excel at binary actions like deploying/retracting mechanisms, shifting gears, or clamping. Use motors when you need variable positioning or continuous rotation.
Every game piece follows a predictable journey through your robot. Design each stage intentionally.
Capturing the game piece from the field or human player station.
Adjusting orientation or position of the game piece after pickup.
Holding the game piece securely while moving or waiting to score.
Raising the game piece to the required scoring height.
Fine-tuning placement before release—angle, distance, alignment.
Depositing or launching the game piece into the scoring zone.
🔧 Design Tip
Not every robot needs all six stages! Simplify where possible. For example, some games allow direct acquisition-to-release without storage or elevation.
Foundation of robot mobility. See detailed breakdown below.
First point of contact with game pieces. Prioritize large acquisition zones.
Prepares game pieces for the next stage—orients and queues them.
Feeds game pieces from storage to shooter or scoring mechanism.
Vertical lift systems. Cascade = multi-stage for greater height.
Articulated mechanisms for reaching over barriers or precise placement.
Launch game pieces at high velocity for distance scoring.
End-game mechanisms for hanging or climbing on structures.
Allows shooter or mechanism to rotate independently of drivetrain.
Your drivetrain choice fundamentally shapes your robot's capabilities. Choose based on game requirements and team expertise.
The classic FRC drivetrain. Six wheels (or more) with center wheels dropped slightly for turning. Simple, robust, and powerful.
✓ Strengths
✗ Weaknesses
Four wheels with angled rollers that enable omnidirectional movement—forward, backward, sideways, and diagonal.
✓ Strengths
✗ Weaknesses
The pinnacle of FRC drivetrains. Each wheel can rotate independently, providing unmatched maneuverability and speed.
✓ Strengths
✗ Weaknesses
⚠️ Recommendation
Only attempt swerve if your team has strong programming and mechanical expertise. A well-executed tank drive beats a poorly-executed swerve every time.
All drivetrains use a bellypan—a flat plate that houses electrical components like the Power Distribution Hub (PDH), RoboRIO, motor controllers (Falcons, Talon SRXs), and battery. Keep it organized and accessible for quick repairs!
Guarantee proper placement when scoring. Alignment mechanisms reduce driver error and increase consistency.
Use physical features on the robot or field to orient yourself.
Use sensors and vision to automatically align.
💡 Keep It Simple!
Physical alignment is often more reliable than code-based solutions. Start simple, add automation only if needed.