✖
Event Volunteer Role
Robot Inspector
Robot Inspectors ensure all robots meet technical and safety rules before competing. This hands-on, team-facing role combines engineering, communication, and rule enforcement to support fair and safe gameplay across the event.
Volunteer as a Robot Inspector
Robot Inspectors perform mandatory pre-match inspections and provide teams with guidance to ensure compliance with current season robot rules. They work under the supervision of the Lead Robot Inspector and use official checklists to determine pass/fail status. Robot Inspectors also offer technical assistance, answer questions, and collaborate with teams to help resolve issues. Inspectors may be asked to support field-side reviews or spot checks during match play, especially at high-level events.
Minimum Age: 18 years old (must be post-high school or equivalent)
- Exceptions may be granted by event Volunteer Coordinators after review and approval by the local Program Delivery Partner
Experience: Either FIRST or related field experience required
Training: Some pre-event training required
Role Details / Responsibilities:
- Conduct formal robot inspections using the official checklist
- Evaluate weight, size, electronics, safety, and overall compliance
- Provide fair, consistent feedback and technical assistance to teams
- Support inspection area breakdown and cleanup
- Volunteers should focus on the role they are filling at that event. This includes:
- Helping avoid the appearance of bias by not cheering for one specific team when wearing official event apparel (volunteer shirt or FIRST/Partner staff clothing). Instead, we encourage volunteers to cheer for all teams equally.
- Refrain from accessing sensitive event areas unless they are necessary to fulfill your volunteer role for this event. This can include playing field access, scoring table and judging rooms.
- Wearing volunteer specific apparel (e.g. FTA shirt, Robot Inspector hat, etc) only when filling that specific role.
- Sign and comply with Conflict of Interest and Disclosure Statement if applicable
- Cannot inspect any robot from an affiliated team
- Cannot inspect any robot from an affiliated team
- Must read and comply with the Volunteer Handbook
Reports to: Lead Robot Inspector
Want to prepare to be a Lead Robot Inspector? Field Resetter is a great introductory role to start volunteering.
Currently a Robot Inspector and looking for a challenge? Lead Robot Inspector might be a great role for you!
Volunteer as a Robot Inspector in two distinct FIRST programs
Learn more about volunteering as a Robot Inspector in each program.
-
FIRST Tech Challenge
Program Role DetailsRobot Inspector with FIRST Tech Challenge
- Two years of experience with FIRST Tech Challenge robot build experience strongly recommended, current season experience preferred
- Responsible for inspecting robot construction, electronics, and programming elements
- Review electrical diagrams and apply build rules consistently
- Collaborate with teams to guide them through rule corrections and fixes
- Use the Inspection Checklist, document outcomes, and escalate disputes to the LRI
Ensure teams sign inspection documentation where required
Role Training:
- The Robot Inspection Certification is required through FIRST Training.
Onsite event-specific training conducted by Lead Robot Inspector
Role Resources:
-
FIRST Robotics Competition
program role detailsRobot Inspector with FIRST Robotics Competition
- Two years of experience with FIRST Robotics Competition robot build experience strongly recommended, current season experience preferred
- Responsible for inspecting robot construction, electronics, pneumatics, and programming elements
- Review electrical/pneumatic diagrams and apply build rules consistently
- Collaborate with teams to guide them through rule corrections and fixes
- Use the Inspection Checklist, document outcomes, and escalate disputes to the LRI
- Ensure teams sign inspection documentation where required
- Mark robots (e.g., sticker, tag) upon passing inspection
Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Must pass online Robot Inspector Certification a minimum of one week prior to the event
- Minimum 1 full day commitment (preferably on first day of inspections)
Role Training:
- The Robot Inspection Certification is required through FIRST Training.
- Onsite event-specific training conducted by Lead Robot Inspector
Resource Links:
-
FIRST Championship
Championship Role DetailsRobot Inspector at FIRST Championship
This role is available in the following programs at Championship with the additional requirements below:
FIRST Tech Challenge:
- Perform inspections in assigned division
- May be asked to randomly monitor robots at the field during match play
- Must have served as a Robot Inspector at a minimum of one official FIRST Tech Challenge event during the current competition season
- Championship Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Wednesday morning – Saturday morning
- Additional information and exact times provided pre-event
- Reports to: Division Lead Robot Inspector, FIRST Staff, and Global Key Technology Volunteers
FIRST Robotics Competition:
- Perform inspections and weigh-ins in assigned division
- May be asked to randomly monitor robots at the field during match play
- Must have served as a Robot Inspector at a minimum of one official FIRST Robotics Competition event during the current competition season
- Championship Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Wednesday morning – Saturday morning
- Additional information and exact times provided pre-event
- Reports to: Division Lead Robot Inspector, FIRST Staff, and Global LRIs
Program Role Details
Robot Inspector with FIRST Tech Challenge
- Two years of experience with FIRST Tech Challenge robot build experience strongly recommended, current season experience preferred
- Responsible for inspecting robot construction, electronics, and programming elements
- Review electrical diagrams and apply build rules consistently
- Collaborate with teams to guide them through rule corrections and fixes
- Use the Inspection Checklist, document outcomes, and escalate disputes to the LRI
Ensure teams sign inspection documentation where required
Role Training:
- The Robot Inspection Certification is required through FIRST Training.
Onsite event-specific training conducted by Lead Robot Inspector
Role Resources:
program role details
Robot Inspector with FIRST Robotics Competition
- Two years of experience with FIRST Robotics Competition robot build experience strongly recommended, current season experience preferred
- Responsible for inspecting robot construction, electronics, pneumatics, and programming elements
- Review electrical/pneumatic diagrams and apply build rules consistently
- Collaborate with teams to guide them through rule corrections and fixes
- Use the Inspection Checklist, document outcomes, and escalate disputes to the LRI
- Ensure teams sign inspection documentation where required
- Mark robots (e.g., sticker, tag) upon passing inspection
Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Must pass online Robot Inspector Certification a minimum of one week prior to the event
- Minimum 1 full day commitment (preferably on first day of inspections)
Role Training:
- The Robot Inspection Certification is required through FIRST Training.
- Onsite event-specific training conducted by Lead Robot Inspector
Resource Links:
Championship Role Details
Robot Inspector at FIRST Championship
This role is available in the following programs at Championship with the additional requirements below:
FIRST Tech Challenge:
- Perform inspections in assigned division
- May be asked to randomly monitor robots at the field during match play
- Must have served as a Robot Inspector at a minimum of one official FIRST Tech Challenge event during the current competition season
- Championship Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Wednesday morning – Saturday morning
- Additional information and exact times provided pre-event
- Reports to: Division Lead Robot Inspector, FIRST Staff, and Global Key Technology Volunteers
FIRST Robotics Competition:
- Perform inspections and weigh-ins in assigned division
- May be asked to randomly monitor robots at the field during match play
- Must have served as a Robot Inspector at a minimum of one official FIRST Robotics Competition event during the current competition season
- Championship Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Wednesday morning – Saturday morning
- Additional information and exact times provided pre-event
- Reports to: Division Lead Robot Inspector, FIRST Staff, and Global LRIs
Event Volunteer Roles