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FIRST Robotics Competition
Awards Based on Machine Attributes
Machine Attribute Awards recognize the technical accomplishments of teams in planning, designing, construction and operation/control of their robots.
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Click the expand/collapse box for each award to see the description, what events it is available at, and the full award guidelines.
Autonomous Award sponsored by Google DeepMind
Updated
- October 2, 2025
Events Where It Is Awarded
- District Events
- Regional Competitions
- District Championship Divisions (for those Districts with multiple Divisions at their District Championships)
- District Championships (for those Districts with single Divisions at their District Championships)
- FIRST Championship Divisions
Description
Celebrates the team whose machine has demonstrated consistent, reliable, high-performance robot operation during autonomous (i.e. non-operated guided) actions during match play. Evaluation is based on the robot’s ability to sense its surroundings, position itself or onboard mechanisms appropriately, and execute tasks.
Guidelines
- A team must be able to describe:
- How the robot perceives its surroundings, navigates on the field or positions onboard mechanisms and then executes tasks.
- The factors the teams considered that could interfere with success during autonomously managed actions.
- The design, development, and testing that was done for the robot’s autonomously managed actions.
- Consistent and reliable operation is weighted more heavily than the ability to score maximum points during any specific autonomously managed actions.
- Consideration may be given to both autonomous actions during the first 15 seconds of the match and during tele-operated mode
Creativity Award sponsored by Rockwell Automation
Updated
- October 2, 2025
Events Where It Is Awarded
- District Events
- Regional Competitions
- District Championship Divisions (for those Districts with multiple Divisions at their District Championships)
- District Championships (for those Districts with single Divisions at their District Championships)
- FIRST Championship Divisions
Description
Celebrates a creative robotic component, concept, or attribute that enhances strategy of play that was intentionally designed and not discovered.
Guidelines
- A team must be able to describe the creative/unique feature(s) and can trace its conception and design.
- The creative element’s uniqueness has a practical application and contributes to the objectives of the competition.
- Since creativity may involve risk of failure, the team should be able to describe how they mitigated that risk.
- When the creative component functions as designed, it contributes to the team’s success on the field.
Excellence in Engineering Award sponsored by Littelfuse
Updated
- October 2, 2025
Events Where It Is Awarded
- District Events
- Regional Competitions
- District Championship Divisions (for those Districts with multiple Divisions at their District Championships)
- District Championships (for those Districts with single Divisions at their District Championships)
- FIRST Championship Divisions
Description
Celebrates the team whose machine incorporates an engineering solution designed to have components work together seamlessly.
Guidelines
- A team must be able to describe:
- problem(s) they identified pertinent to the game challenge and how their machine incorporates a solution (s).
- Teams do not have to design a robot that solves all game challenges.
- the engineering process they went through and can trace elements of the designs from conception through completion.
- problem(s) they identified pertinent to the game challenge and how their machine incorporates a solution (s).
- The engineering solution is functional, practical, and did not create new problems.
- The engineering solution contributes to the team’s success on the field.
Industrial Design Award
Updated
- October 2, 2025
Events Where It Is Awarded
- District Events
- Regional Competitions
- District Championship Divisions (for those Districts with multiple Divisions at their District Championships)
- District Championships (for those Districts with single Divisions at their District Championships)
- FIRST Championship Divisions
Description
Celebrates the team whose machine demonstrates industrial design principles, striking a balance between form, function, and aesthetics.
Guidelines
- A team must be able to describe how their machine design is elegant, efficient (simple/executable), and practical.
- The entire machine, and not just a single component, or the detailed process used to develop the design, is worthy of this recognition.
- The robot distinguishes itself from others by its aesthetic, design, and performance.
Innovation in Control Award sponsored by nVent
Updated
- October 2, 2025
Events Where It Is Awarded
- District Events
- Regional Competitions
- District Championship Divisions (for those Districts with multiple Divisions at their District Championships)
- District Championships (for those Districts with single Divisions at their District Championships)
- FIRST Championship Divisions
Description
Celebrates an innovative control system or application of control components – electrical, mechanical or software – to provide unique machine functions.
Guidelines
- A team must be able to describe their controls innovation and can trace its conception, design, manufacturing/assembly, or deployment.
- The control system is innovative and unique.
- The control system is integrated with the machine, human players, strategy, etc. in concept and execution.
- The innovation is practical; it addresses the game’s challenge and is reliable under the stress of competition.
Quality Award
Updated
- October 2, 2025
Events Where It Is Awarded
- District Events
- Regional Competitions
- District Championship Divisions (for those Districts with multiple Divisions at their District Championships)
- District Championships (for those Districts with single Divisions at their District Championships)
- FIRST Championship Divisions
Description
Celebrates machine robustness in concept and fabrication
Guidelines
- A team must be able to describe their quality plan i.e. how their design ensures robustness throughout the entire competition.
- The entire machine demonstrates quality: workmanship, welds, attachment systems, wiring, paint, etc.
- The machine can withstand the rigors of competition – maintaining functionality, including the use of designed-in redundancy and risk mitigation measures
- Building the machine contributes to the team’s success on the field.
Awards