Section 1.1 - Course Introduction


What is this course about?

This lesson introduces you to the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) and the basics of FRC programming, laying out what to expect from both the course and the role of an FRC programmer. You’ll learn about the structure of FRC, where teams of high school students design and program robots to compete in an annual game. We'll explore the parts of a robot, focusing on critical components like the RoboRio microcontroller, motors, and sensors, which are essential for coding and controlling your robot's actions. We’ll also dive into the responsibilities of an FRC programmer, from collaborating with team members to developing and troubleshooting autonomous routines, sometimes on a tight competition timeline. To help you get started, we'll introduce WPILib, a library that simplifies controlling robot motors and sensors, and cover essential prerequisites, including Java knowledge, Windows setup, and a recommended game controller for hands-on programming practice.