FIRST Overdrive was the 2008 game for the FIRST Robotics Competition, announced on January 5, 2008. In it, teams competed to complete counterclockwise laps around a central barrier while manipulating large diameter "Trackballs" over and under overpasses to score additional points.
Game Overview
FIRST Overdrive is played on a by carpeted field, divided lengthwise by a fence median to create a track, and separate the field into Red and Blue zones. The fence is crossed by an overpass marking the red and blue finish lines, and hold the game pieces: diameter inflated balls called "Trackballs". Two three-team alliances race around the track in a counter clockwise direction while manipulating the trackballs to score points. The game is made up of two scoring periods. The first 15 seconds of play is the Hybrid period in which robots are autonomous, and may also respond to certain digital signals sent by team members designated as "Robocoaches", who are stationed at the corners of the track. The next two minutes of play is the Teleoperated period. At this time, robots are fully radio controlled by the team operators standing at either end of the field.
Scoring
During the Hybrid period, robots traveling in a counter clockwise direction score:
8 points for each of their Trackballs knocked off of the overpass
8 points for each of their Trackballs passed over the overpass
4 points whenever their robot crosses a lane marker
4 points whenever their robot crosses their opponent's finish line
4 points whenever their robot crosses their finish line
2 points whenever their trackball crosses their finish line
During the Teleoperated period, robots traveling in a counter clockwise direction score:
2 points whenever their robot crosses their finish line
2 points whenever their Trackball crosses their finish line
8 points whenever their Trackball hurdles their overpass
Alliances score an additional 12 points for each of their Trackballs that are positioned anywhere on the overpass at the end of the match.
Hybrid period
Hybrid period is a new addition to an FRC game. Rather than the pre-game autonomous modes of previous years where robots were prohibited from receiving input from humans, robots may receive signals via an infrared remote control or visible light from a designated Robocoach during the Hybrid period. The number of different IR signals the IR board included in the kit of parts is physically able to receive is 4. The number of distinct commands that are allowed to be sent is also 4, thus ruling out multi-signal combinations.
Competition schedule
Kickoff — January 5, 2008
Shipping deadline — February 19, 2008
Regional competitions — weekends, February 28, 2008 – April 6, 2008
Championship — April 17, 2008 – April 19, 2008
Events
The following regional events were held in 2008:
Arizona Regional - Phoenix
BAE Systems Granite State Regional - Manchester, NH
