what does the manual say about robot sizing at inspection

The official FTC Docs and the FTC Competition FAQs explain that teams must verify their robot fits within the Maximum Starting Size prior to inspection. To demonstrate compliance with sizing rules, teams may need to power on both the robot and the driver station. This process can require a member of the drive team to use a gamepad to actuate a mechanism or place the robot into its starting configuration.

According to the FTC Competition Manual, teams must successfully pass a robot inspection before they are allowed to participate in qualification or playoff matches. Under rule I301, teams are required to bring their complete robot, operator console, and all components to the inspection area, and they must demonstrate every configuration the robot will use during matches. Rule I302 establishes that electronic limits apply across all configurations. Teams should check the Competition Manual for the exact wording of rule I301 and rule I302.

The FTC Competition Manual also outlines how post-inspection modifications affect a robot's sizing status. Under rule I303, most changes to the robot require a re-inspection, though exceptions exist for minor adjustments—such as replacing a component with an identical part—provided they do not significantly alter the robot's size, safety, or legality. If a team is unsure whether reassembling a part has changed the robot's size, they must consult the Lead Robot Inspector or field staff to verify compliance. Teams should consult the Competition Manual for the exact text of rule I303 and rule I304.

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Preparing for Competition > Robot and Driver Station Self-Inspect

FTC Docs·BSD 3-Clause

This section is here to help teams prepare for inspection at their events. Aside from making sure that your robot is within the Maximum Starting Size, ensuring that your robot code can correctly pass Robot Inspection, and other tasks in the Robot Inspection Checklist (https://ftc-resources.firstinspires.org/ftc/archive/2026/event/inspection-check), teams need to make sure their robot software and hardware apps are updated to the latest and greatest versions and that their hardware is configured correctly. There is a tool within the Driver Station App 3-dot menu called the "Self-Inspect" feature that can help teams perform a quick check to ensure their hardware and software is configured correctly. Depending on your hardware configuration the Self-Inspect screens may be formatted differently or have different options listed, so there is a handy reference on ftc-docs that can help you understand the Self-Inspect tool. Make sure you're ready for inspection!

Open FTC Docs

Competition Manual > 3.3 MATCH Eligibility Rules

FTC Competition Manual·FIRST copyright — summarised, never reproduced

Summarised above in Sharp AI’s own words. The original text is not reproduced here — open the source to read it.

Open FTC Competition Manual

Competition Manual > 3.3.1 Inspection > I301, I302

FTC Competition Manual·FIRST copyright — summarised, never reproduced

Summarised above in Sharp AI’s own words. The original text is not reproduced here — open the source to read it.

Open FTC Competition Manual

Old Self-Inspect > Summary

FTC Docs·BSD 3-Clause

The Self Inspect screen is a quick, handy reference to help teams confirm that certain control system elements are up-to-date and properly configured.

Self Inspect may be reviewed in Robot Inspection at an FTC tournament, but is not a comprehensive or official standard of compliance with FTC rules.

Each inspection screen updates automatically, with or without a Restart Robot. This allows quick verification that issues have been resolved.

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Questions, comments and corrections to westsiderobotics@verizon.net

Open FTC Docs

*FIRST* Tech Challenge Self-Inspect > Robot Inspection

FTC Docs·BSD 3-Clause

The Self Inspection reports may be reviewed in Robot Inspection at an FTC tournament, but is not a comprehensive or official standard of compliance with FTC rules. With the robot and driver station turned on and connected the inspector may go through the Inspection Checklist form (on paper or a tablet). They will check both the Driver Station Inspection Report and the Robot Controller Inspection Report, both of which can be displayed from the DS. Many FTC events will scan the QR Code that is displayed on the RC Inspection Report.

Open FTC Docs

*FIRST* Tech Challenge Self-Inspect > Summary

FTC Docs·BSD 3-Clause

The Self Inspect screen is a quick, handy reference to help teams confirm that certain control system elements are up-to-date and properly configured.

Self Inspect may be reviewed in Robot Inspection at an FTC tournament, but is not a comprehensive or official standard of compliance with FTC rules.

Each inspection screen updates automatically, with or without a Restart Robot. This allows quick verification that issues have been resolved.

Open FTC Docs

Old Self-Inspect

FTC Docs·BSD 3-Clause

This page describes the older Self Inspect screens in the FTC Driver Station (DS) app and the FTC Robot Controller (RC) app. See the new self-inspect page for screen images for version 10.3 or better.

A Self Inspect screen provides a snapshot of device status, as it relates to FTC rules for the control system. These rules are described in the Competition Manual which can be found on the Current Game and Season Materials page (https://ftc-resources.firstinspires.org/files/ftc/game) on the FIRST Website.

Tip: is available to help teams self-inspect their ROBOT before their event. Teams are strongly encouraged to self-inspect prior to their event.

The Self Inspect screen is provided only as a quick, handy reference to help teams confirm that certain control system elements are up-to-date and properly configured. Self Inspect may be reviewed in Robot Inspection at an FTC tournament, but is not a comprehensive or official standard of compliance with FTC rules.

Each inspection screen updates automatically, with or without a Restart Robot. This allows quick verification that issues have been resolved.

The challenge is to maximize useful information in a small screen. The Self Inspect layout and graphics evolve with FTC requirements; this page clarifies some of the brief but meaningful captions.

Note: These images show Version 7.0 of the FTC apps. Please refer to Competition Manual for allowed software system versions. These images are valid up to version 10.2 of the FTC apps. See the new self-inspect page for screen images for version 10.3 or better.

Open FTC Docs

FTC SDK API > org.firstinspires.ftc.robotcore.external.android.util > Size

FTC SDK API·BSD 3-Clause

Immutable class for describing width and height dimensions in integer valued units. Backported from API21, where it was introduced, to here, where we need to support API19.

Open FTC SDK API

775 Sized Motors | REV ION Build System

This source does not publish a licence, so its text is not reproduced here. Open the source to read it.

Open REV Robotics Docs

Common Team FAQs > Competition FAQs

FTC Docs·BSD 3-Clause

Who on my team needs to be with the robot for inspection? At least one student must be present during inspection per the Competition Manual. However, inspectors will ask questions about the mechanical and electrical components of your robot. Ideally, you have one or more team members who can answer such questions. In addition, you may need to turn your robot and driver station on and demonstrate your robot complies with a particular rule like sizing. That may involve someone from the drive team if you need to use a gamepad to operate a mechanism or place the robot in its starting configuration. Look at the self inspection checklist, you can generally determine what you're doing based on the checklist.

Why aren’t you going to replay that match? There are only certain situations that warrant replaying a match. Consult the Competition Manual to understand what conditions and processes can result in a replay. Typically unless something went wrong with the field or field staff there will not be grounds for a replay. A malfunctioning robot typically does not provide grounds for a replay.

Why did you replay a match for someone else, but not us? The situation was different. If necessary, teams can talk with the head referee in the competition area Question Box.

Why won’t you fix that score? We have video (or photographs) to prove the score is wrong! Teams can go the Question Box so they can discuss this issue with the head referee. No photographs or videos will be reviewed.

Why don’t you fix/cleanup the wireless environment? It’s obvious the wireless environment is disruptive and causing disconnects. Teams can work with the event FTA or Event Director if they have questions about the WiFi environment.

What do we do if we think the scoring referees scored our match wrong or the scorekeeper put the wrong score into the computer. If a team has questions about a match outcome, they should send one student representative to the Question Box to talk to the Head Referee (do not interrupt matches for this conversation). If the referees agree that they made a mistake, they can correct it. If the referees are confident in their score, the team should accept that decision. Check the Competition Manual for more information about key volunteer roles, tournament operations, and how to use the Question Box.

Open FTC Docs

Competition Manual > 3.3.2 Re-Inspection > I303, I304

FTC Competition Manual·FIRST copyright — summarised, never reproduced

Summarised above in Sharp AI’s own words. The original text is not reproduced here — open the source to read it.

Open FTC Competition Manual

*FIRST* Tech Challenge Self-Inspect > Version Information

FTC Docs·BSD 3-Clause

The Competition Manual lists the minimum recommended versions of device firmware, Android operating system, and FTC Apps. Teams may choose to run older versions without affecting their ROBOT inspection status. This avoids the situation of trying to upgrade a device at a competition at the last minute where a mistake might leave the robot inoperable.

Note: The images in this page show Version 10.3 or newer of the FTC apps. This page only shows a Driver Hub paired with a Control Hub, there may be slight differences if a phone is used as a driver station or robot controller. See the old self-inspect page for screen images for app versions 10.2 or earlier.

FIRST recommends but does not require that teams use the most recent versions of firmware, Android Operating System, and FTC Apps. Current versions have the latest bug fixes and enhancements. For example, version 1.1.6 of the Control Hub Android OS has a fix related to Wi-Fi.

Each FTC season new major versions the FTC Apps are released. The INTO THE DEEP major version is 10, and the DECODE major version is 11. If the game has AprilTags, the SDK will include localization information for those tags that lets you determine the robot's position on the field. As the season progresses, minor releases will include bug fixes and some enhancements. e.g. 11.1, 11.2, etc.

Regardless of the versions selected, it is highly recommended that the installed ROBOT CONTROLLER App and DRIVER STATION App versions match major and minor values to ensure compatibility as not all software versions are compatible with each other.

Teams may choose to run older versions without affecting their ROBOT inspection status.

Caution: Some FTC App versions have a different robot communication protocol and are unable to connect with each other.

FIELD STAFF will not be able to provide comprehensive support to teams with software older than the recommended version.

Open FTC Docs

*FIRST* Tech Challenge Self-Inspect

FTC Docs·BSD 3-Clause

This page describes the Self Inspect screens in the FTC Driver Station (DS) app and the FTC Robot Controller (RC) app.

Tip: is available to help teams self-inspect their ROBOT before their event. Teams are strongly encouraged to self-inspect prior to their event.

There is also a Inspection Quick Reference (PDF) (https://ftc-resources.firstinspires.org/ftc/event/inspection-reference) with some examples of legal and illegal parts (though it is not a substitute for the Competition Manual).

The Self Inspect screen is provided only as a quick, handy reference to help teams confirm that certain control system elements are up-to-date and properly configured.

Each inspection screen updates automatically, with or without a Restart Robot. This allows quick verification that issues have been resolved.

The challenge is to maximize useful information in a small screen. The Self Inspect layout and graphics evolve with FTC requirements; this page clarifies some of the brief but meaningful captions.

Open FTC Docs

MAXSwerve Module Inspection | REV ION Build System

This source does not publish a licence, so its text is not reproduced here. Open the source to read it.

Open REV Robotics Docs

45mm x 45mm U Channel | REV DUO Build System

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Open REV Robotics Docs

15mm x 30mm Extrusion | REV DUO Build System

This source does not publish a licence, so its text is not reproduced here. Open the source to read it.

Open REV Robotics Docs