From Your First Decision to the Final Mission
Choose the right division, select your robot, build to the program rules, program for autonomous operation, and put your solution to the test on the official game field.
Each step moves students closer to completing real autonomous missions while building their programming, engineering, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
Start With Step OneEach stage helps your team make the decisions, build the skills, and prepare the robot needed to complete autonomous missions.
Select any step to jump directly to its detailed explanation. Teams can revisit earlier steps throughout the season as their strategy and robot evolve.
Discovery and Expedition use the same game and mission-based format, but each division provides rules and recovery options appropriate for its students.
Start with the complete Botball Explorer Robot Kit or use another qualifying platform capable of autonomous operation.
Before taking the field, confirm that every robot meets the current size, construction, safety, and autonomous-operation requirements.
Use this checklist throughout the build process—not only when the robot is finished.
The complete robot must fit within the official starting box at the beginning of a match.
The robot may not exceed 15 inches in height while in its starting configuration.
A team may use up to two autonomous robots during its competition run.
Robots must operate without a driver, joystick, or remote control after the match begins.
Every component and construction method must satisfy the current division, equipment, and safety rules.
Write the code that allows your robot to gather information, make decisions, and complete missions without a driver, joystick, or remote control.
Put your programming and engineering to the test as your autonomous robots complete missions, earn points, and improve throughout the event.
Teams complete five scored matches, with their best four scores counting toward the final result. Each run gives students an opportunity to evaluate performance and refine their strategy.
The goal is not simply to complete every mission. It is to choose a strategy, execute it consistently, and improve throughout the event.
Discovery and Expedition share the same autonomous game but use different field, recovery, and construction rules.
| Program Detail | Discovery | Expedition |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Grade 6 and below | Grades 7–12 |
| Play Up | May play up into Expedition | May advance into the Botball program |
| Field Setup | May remove game pieces from the field before the match | Standard game setup |
| 3D-Printed Parts | Not permitted | One large part smaller than 220 × 220 × 250 mm and up to six small parts smaller than 75 × 75 × 85 mm |
| Recovery Method | Unlimited recovery touches; the robot returns to its starting box and the match clock continues running | Two timeout cards per tournament; the match clock stops during the timeout |
| Recovery Penalty | Five percent of the final score for each touch outside the starting box | The controlled object is removed from play; no score penalty |
| Match Length | 150 seconds with no timeouts | 150 seconds; timeout periods do not count against the match time |
| Robots Allowed | Up to two autonomous robots | Up to two autonomous robots |
| Tournament Format | Five matches; the best four scores count | Five matches; the best four scores count |
| Division Award | Discovery Champion | Expedition Champion |
Choose your starting point, register your team, and give students a hands-on autonomous robotics experience built around programming, engineering, and creative problem-solving.
Want to see the game first? Preview the 2027 Stack Attack game →