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Revision 1.1: 11.11.2019
permitted using a FIRST-approved, commercially manufactured Resistive Grounding
Strap. The only Resistive Grounding Strap approved for use is the REV Robotics
Resistive Grounding Strap (REV-31-1269). Teams that have electronics with Powerpole-
style connectors may also use the REV Robotics Anderson Powerpole to XT30 Adapter
(REV-31-1385) in conjunction with the REV Robotics Resistive Grounding Strap. No
other grounding straps or adapters are permitted. For additional details on installation of
the grounding strap or adapter, please see the Robot Wiring Guide.
<RE17> Additional Electronics – Electronic devices that are not specifically addressed in
the preceding rules are not allowed. A partial list of electronics that are not allowed includes:
Arduino boards, Raspberry Pi, relays, and custom circuits.
7.3.4 Robot Software Rules
<RS01> Android Device Names - Each Team MUST “name” their Robot Controller (phone or
REV Control Hub) with their official FIRST Tech Challenge Team number and –RC (for
example, “12345-RC”). Each Team MUST “name” their Driver Station with their official Team
number and –DS (for example, 12345-DS). Teams with more than one Driver Station or Robot
Controller Android device must name these devices with the Team number followed by a
hyphen then a letter designation beginning with “A” (for example, “12345-A-RC”, “12345-B-RC”).
<RS02> Recommended Programming Language - Java and the Blocks Development Tool
are the recommended programming languages for the FIRST Tech Challenge. The minimum
allowed app version number is 5.2. Programming must be done using one of the following
applications:
a. FTC Blocks Development tool – a visual, blocks-based programming tool hosted by the
Robot Controller.
b. Android Studio – a text-based integrated development environment.
c. Java Native Interface (JNI) & Android Native Development Kit (NDK) – Teams can
incorporate native code libraries into their apps using the JNI framework and the Android
NDK.
d. FTC OnBot Java Programming tool – a text-based integrated development environment
hosted by the Robot Controller.
If mandatory updates are announced by FIRST later in the season, Teams must install them
before the time of competition. Additionally, beta versions of the software are allowed at official
tournaments.
<RS03> Allowed Android Operating Systems - The only allowed operating systems for the
Robot Controller and Driver Station Android devices are:
a. ZTE Speed: 4.4 or higher (Kit Kat)
b. Motorola Moto E4, Motorola Moto E5, Motorola Moto G4 Play, Motorola Moto G5,
Motorola Moto G5 Plus: 7.0 or higher (Nougat)
c. Motorola Moto G 2
nd
Generation, Motorola Moto G 3
rd
Generation, Google Nexus 5,
Samsung Galaxy S5: 6.0 or higher (Marshmallow)