[cgmv123]

http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprogr...or-controllers

Today’s blog post was written by Kate Pilotte, FIRST Robotics Competition’s Kit of Parts Manager.

You may have noticed that every now and then we release information about a season before its Kickoff; sometimes it’s because we think it’s just that helpful to know ahead of time, sometimes it’s because we’re being playful, and sometimes it’s an accident.

This instance is the first one.

We want you to know that the list of legal motor controllers for the 2016 season is expanding.

In addition to the controllers permitted in the 2015 season…

• Jaguar Motor Controller (Part #s: MDL-BDC, MDL-BDC24, & 217-3367)
• Talon Motor Controller (Part #s: CTRE_Talon, CTRE_Talon_SR, & am-2195)
• Talon SRX Motor Controller (Part #: 217-8080 & am-2854)
• Victor 884 Motor Controller (Part #: VICTOR-884-12/12)
• Victor 888 Motor Controller (Part #: 217-2769)
• Victor SP Motor Controller (Part #: 217-9090)

…we’ve also approved the following devices:

SD540 Motor Controller (Part #: SD540x1)
(mindsensors.com has been a long time mentor of FIRST Team 540 and designed this controller jointly with Team 540 students. This controller is manufactured locally with the help of FIRST students. SD540 features include brake/coast, direction selection, 60-amp continuous current and 100 amps peak. It will be available as a single unit, dual or quad banks. They expect availability in early November.)

Spark Motor Controller (Part #: REV-11-1200)
(REV Robotics is a Texas-based company founded by two long-time FIRST team mentors. The Spark features 60-amp continuous current with passive cooling, bi-directional limit switch inputs on-board for smart mechanism control, RGB LED status indicator, and digital brake/coast mode. Sparks will be available for purchase in November from Amazon and REVRobotics.com.)


Every team will get a voucher to order three Victor SPs or two Talon SRXes from Vex Robotics. Additionally, Rookie teams will receive 2 Victor SPs in their Kickoff Kit. There will also be limited quantities of Victor 888s, Victor SPs, Talon SRXes, and Sparks in FIRST Choice.

There’s another nugget of information that you should know… what motor controllers won’t be allowed to control. Considering their obsolescence and resulting scarcity on the market, BaneBots’ 550 and 775 motors will no longer be included on the list of legal motors.

For technical questions about any of the legal controllers, we recommend you contact the Supplier directly.

We’re excited to work with all of the motor controller suppliers for this upcoming season!

Eight, count them, EIGHT legal motor controllers!