How FRC Robots Work
Every FRC robot is a coordinated system of hardware, electronics, and code.
Here’s how it all fits together.
The Main Components
- Frame / Chassis: The structural base that holds everything together.
- Drivetrain: Motors and wheels that move the robot.
- Mechanisms: Arms, elevators, intakes, shooters, etc.
- Sensors: Encoders, gyros, cameras, and limit switches provide feedback.
- Pneumatics: Air-powered actuators for fast movement or gripping.
The Control System
The RoboRIO acts as the robot’s brain. It connects to:
- Motor controllers via CAN (CTRE TalonFX, SparkMAX, etc.)
- Power Distribution Hub (PDH)
- Radio for wireless communication
- Driver Station on the laptop
All signals from sensors and operator inputs flow through the RoboRIO.
Software Flow
- WPILib — the official FRC software framework
- Java code — defines subsystems, commands, and robot behavior
- NetworkTables — allows dashboards to visualize data
- Telemetry — logs sensor and motor data for post-match analysis
Hardware, software, and strategy come together to create a winning robot.