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Empowering Rookie Teams: Qubit Bot Lead Programmer’s Software Workshop for FTC Team 27123 YAD ATX

On November 8th, the Qubit Bot team continued its commitment to mentorship with an inspiring virtual outreach event on Zoom, led by Kylie, the team’s dedicated Lead Programmer. This workshop marked the second session in a series designed to guide rookie FTC team 27123 YAD ATX through the foundational elements of robotics programming. Through practical demonstrations, Kylie walked YAD ATX members through key coding concepts that will help them build a solid foundation for FTC competitions.  


Introducing the Fundamentals of FTC Coding


The workshop began with a guided introduction to the FTC Robot Controller files, accessible on GitHub, which serve as an essential resource for rookie teams. Kylie demonstrated how to download, expand, and import these files into Android Studio, offering clear, step-by-step instructions that simplified the setup process. Her focus on Teleop-specific codes allowed the team to gain immediate familiarity with essential coding concepts for robot control during competitions, easing the rookies into more complex coding areas like autonomous programming.




Key Learning Topics from Kylie's Workshop


Kylie’s session was packed with valuable lessons and hands-on examples. Here are the primary topics she covered, each providing foundational knowledge for rookie teams:


  1. Programming Environment Setup


    Kylie began by showing how to access and use the FTC Robot Controller files from GitHub, guiding the team through setup in Android Studio. This hands-on support allowed the rookies to understand the environment where they will create, debug, and run their code.


  1. Understanding Motor and Servo Initialization


    Diving into the code, Kylie discussed the basics of defining motors and servos, focusing on configuring motor power and servo positions. This included mapping gamepad button presses and joystick movements to specific motor actions, like driving and lifting. Her emphasis on initialization gave the team insight into how to manage the robot’s physical actions programmatically.


  1. Utilizing Telemetry for Real-Time Feedback


    A core topic in the workshop was telemetry, a tool that communicates vital data from the robot to the Driver Hub. Kylie explained how telemetry provides real-time insights into aspects like motor power and gyroscope readings, allowing drivers to make informed decisions mid-match. This real-time data enhances robot control and gives teams an edge in troubleshooting during competitions.


  1. Exploring FTC Terminology


    To make FTC coding more approachable, Kylie broke down complex terminology, such as waitForStart and opModeIsActive. She also clarified terms like “yaw” and its counterparts, “pitch” and “roll,” helping the team understand robot orientation and control in three-dimensional space—essential knowledge for fine-tuning robot movement.


  1. Coding Techniques for Real-World Testing and Debugging


    Recognizing that rookie teams often lack consistent access to their robots, Kylie covered coding techniques for testing in Android Studio, which helps teams spot errors before deploying to a robot. She also introduced simulation tools that mimic a robot’s movement, which helps programmers troubleshoot and refine their code without requiring the physical robot.





Key Takeaways for the YAD ATX Team


The rookie team gained practical insights that they can now implement as they continue building and programming their robot:


  1. Confidence with Android Studio Setup


    YAD ATX members now have a reliable setup process, allowing them to access FTC sample codes easily and kickstart their programming in Android Studio.

  

  1. Enhanced Coding Skills


    The workshop’s focus on motor and servo programming, along with variable management, gave the team a better grasp on controlling robot components through gamepad interactions.


  1. Real-Time Problem Solving with Telemetry


    Understanding telemetry has equipped YAD ATX with the ability to monitor and respond to robot performance metrics in real time, offering them an advantage during competitions.


  1. Foundational Knowledge of Robotics Terms


    By explaining terms like yaw, pitch, and roll, Kylie broadened the team’s understanding of robot orientation, preparing them for more advanced programming in future matches.





Conclusion


Throughout the workshop, Kylie’s approach was both thorough and accessible, ensuring that every team member could follow along and engage actively. The Qubit Bot team hopes that this series of outreach sessions will strengthen YAD ATX’s technical foundation, building their confidence and skills for a successful FTC season. 


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