Robot Transportation in 2025

It’s never too early to start thinking about how you’re going to move your team’s robot from your workspace to your events and back home. For many teams, this process is straightforward and includes the team’s trailer or a rented truck/van and driving the robot to and from the event.

FIRST has developed some tips and best practice documents that can be of use if your team needs to ship your robot. You can also this information on the Robot Transportation page on the Resource Library.

The has information on everything teams will need to help the robot sail smoothly, including definitions of Incoterms and how they apply to FIRST robot shipping. The document also links to the Shipping Crate Construction guide, which has more detail on how to build a solid robot shipping crate.

If your team advances to the 2025 FIRST Championship, you’ll need to let us know how you plan to get your robot there. Teams can choose to ship their robot via a donated FedEx voucher or self-transport the robot. Details on both of these options, plus an FAQ, are in the Championship Robot Transportation fact sheet.

Over the last few seasons, many teams have started pooling resources with other teams from their area to bring their robots to the FIRST Championship via a full-size trailer, along with their pit materials. There are some limitations due to the size of 53' Trailers:

• There is a 10 team minimum,
• Teams must load in and load out both their robot and pit materials through the trailer, and
• A point of contact must be on-site at Championship for direct communication.

Teams must apply and be approved to use a Community 53' Trailer. Space is limited and applying does not guarantee a spot. Unauthorized trailers will not be allowed to enter the George R Brown Convention Center loading dock - no exceptions. For more information on the Community 53' Trailer option and to apply for a spot, please contact frclogistics@firstinspires.org and review the Community 53’ Trailer Rules and Information guide.

Finally, teams can check out the Championship Load In Guide and the Championship Load Out Guide on the process for bringing in and taking out pit materials and their robots to and from their pit.

If you have any questions about robot transportation, please reach out to frclogistics@firstinspires.org.