A Request

[Karthik]

Originally Posted by dag0620

If FTC really wants to get out of FRC's shadow, there needs to be higher controlled standards on it's qualifying events. I hope this happens, FTC teams deserve to have the same quality experience at events FRC teams have.

FRC teams pay about $4000-$5000 to attend a regional event. FTC teams pay about $100-$300 for an event. Just based on this fee structure, it would be impossible to expect the same quality of experience at events from both programs. Expecting FTC events to magically run like events with operating budgets of $50k-$200k is just unfair. FTC is a program that is far more affordable and accessible than FRC, and does a heck of a job of teaching and inspiring students. Sure the robots are smaller and the events lack the production values of FRC, but it's still a great vehicle towards working towards achieving a significant culture change.

*Full disclosure: I work for a company that runs similarly scaled robotics competitions to FTC, so I'm naturally sympathetic to their plight.

[JohnFogarty]

Originally Posted by Karthik

FRC teams pay about $4000-$5000 to attend a regional event. FTC teams pay about $100-$300 for an event. Just based on this fee structure, it would be impossible to expect the same quality of experience at events from both programs. Expecting FTC events to magically run like events with operating budgets of $50k-$200k is just unfair. FTC is a program that is far more affordable and accessible than FRC, and does a heck of a job of teaching and inspiring students.

This right here. As South Carolina's affilate partner for FTC this statement is 100% ACCURATE. We as partners can't scale our events up to the level of FRC because of the lack of funding we get from team registration. All funding to increase the quality of the event comes from the corporate or otherwise funding that I as the partner can solicit.

I don't think FTC teams need to be payying $5000 an event either.