IFI vs FTC? Both offering competitions for next year!

[fredliu168]

Initial thoughts:

1. Cost:

FIRST: $1000 for initial kit. 275$ registeration + 0-300$ regional registeration cost.
IFI: $299 for initial kit - most teams already have many parts so cost is 0$. Registeration fees were 0$ for BB, and are likely to remain lowish. Cost of event varies.

FIRST has not shown what exactly comes in the initial kit and what extras we need to buy, so its hard to judge. I believe IFI has a low registeration cost because they are a profitable company and can afford to support the GDC for IFI. The quality for bridge battle equals to that of FTC, and if they can consistantly pull out a decent game every year, they definitely beat out FTC on this aspect.

quote from IFI:

This program will be very low cost, include great prizes and consist of many great categories to enter. The program will be open to all ages, all grade levels, everywhere around the globe

2. Ease of use:

FIRST: Completely unknown. Has chiefdelphi to answer any questions. I don't believe usfirst forums answers technical questions.
IFI: Has already been tested to work for 2 years with great sucess. Has customer support and a great forum to answer technical questions from hired experts.

Since FIRST parts come from several distributors, it may be difficult to find help for an individual distributor. Also, has anyone considered the fact that FIRST releases parts of the game every week because FIRST does not have final suppiers for certain parts?

3. Reliability:

FIRST: has the bad image of switching fields from 2005-2006, and changing platforms this year. Who knows if they decide to switch platforms again, or possibly ask teams to buy a new kit every year like in FRC.
IFI: will most likely upgrade their product, but will not likely remake their entire platform.

quote from IFI

listen to and follow the needs of the customer, don’t try to force them to adapt to us

A little sting at FIRST, which is very accurate in describing how a lot of people in FTC feel right now.

4. Volunteer, Community, Reputation and Sponsor Support

FIRST: being a non-profit organization means FIRST gets a lot of great and dedicated volunteers, as well as many sponsors.
IFI: As a new program I imagine IFI has less sponsorship as well as less dedicated volunteer support.

Quote from IFI:

This program is being launched by a number of incredible partners dedicated to advancing Science, Technology, Engineering and Math to students and schools around the world. This coalition includes two different non-profit foundations along with many corporate partners and sponsors all focused on providing the best possible high quality, high tech, challenging, accessible, educational, fun and affordable program.

hmm looks like IFI is catching up to FIRST on this aspect.

5. Values and Principals:

FIRST: I really admire the way FIRST set up gracious professionalism and other principals and concepts. I think it is the most important part of FIRST because it gives you something you can take for the rest of your life, even if you are not doing engineering.
IFI: I admit I have not been to any events, and have no idea the ideals they bring to the table.


I would also like to point out that IFI robotics will be taking this competition to a global level.

This is a global event with nearly 50% of the participating teams coming from outside the United States.

Which means teams will get to meet other teams from different parts of the world and connect.

We look forward to hearing community feedback once all the details are announced.

In closing, it is feedback from our customers that ensures we continually improve, advance and evolve Vex.

IFI listens directly to the users? That gives it a big checkmark in my book.

As of now I have no idea which program I will be involved in. Both organizations have a lot of question marks. However I would like to point out that IFI certainly presented their program in a much better fashion then FIRST. Many teams will take this in consideration.

I would like to point out this is only my thoughts and not a pitch on why you should select IFI. Whatever competition I pick for next year, I will still probably volunteer and watch FRC events.