The Rockwell Collins Innovate Award is robot specific. It celebrates teams who come up with innovate solutions to the Game Challenge that most others have overlooked. These solutions can't just look good - they've got to work... at least most of the time. Historically, some of the most innovative breakthroughs in science and technology have come when fresh thinking is applied to a known problem. This year's Rockwell Collins Innovate Award winners demonstrated that type of thinking. Here is what the judges had to say about the winner:

This team impressed the judges with their speedy multi-staged ball collector. They powered through the competition by a magnitude of 3 with their curvy ball handler. They are a sight to see with their second set of eyes and short black ties.

Winner: Team 8221, Cubix^3 from Hampstead, MD
2nd Place: Team 8405, Milburn Robotics

We are happy that PTC has offered to sponsor the PTC Design Award. The intent of this award is to expand the challenge, inspiring teams to incorporate industrial design into their robots. These elements can be shown in the simplicity of the design as it applies to the tasks, the look and feel of the robot, and how the design allows us to think of robots in new ways. The Design aspects must serve a function - but they should also differentiate the robot in a unique fashion - not an easy task with a limited set of parts and game challenge. Here is what the judges had to say about the winner:

This team’s design was the embodiment of aesthetic elegance and robust design. Its jaw-dropping industrial design showed great discipline in the engineering process. Its modular design was not Greek to us.

Winner: Team 4082, RoboSpartans from New Hartford, NY
2nd Place: Team 6081, i²robotics

The Control Award celebrates a team that uses sensors and software to enhance the robot’s functionality on the field. This award is given to the team that demonstrates innovative thinking in the control system to solve game challenges such as autonomous operation, enhancing mechanical systems with intelligent control, or using sensors to achieve better results on the field. The control component should work consistently on the field. The team’s Engineering Notebook should contain details about the implementation of the software, sensors, and mechanical control. Here is what the judges had to say about the winner:

This team effectively encoded, beaconed, and gyro-navigated their way through the competition. They used sound design principles to create their control system. Their robot commands the waters around their island.

Winner: Team 4137, Islandbots from Setauket, NY
2nd Place: Team 7953, Vertigo

The Promote Award is given to the Team that is most successful in creating a compelling message for the public designed to change our culture and celebrate science, technology, engineering and math. The FTC Public Service Announcement Video was evaluated by the Judges to determine the winner of this Award. Teams must present a thoughtful and high-quality video which appeals to the general public.

Winner: Team 5017, RoboEpic from Greenwich, CT (video)
2nd Place: Team 6081, i²robotics (video)

The Compass Award recognizes an adult coach or mentor who provided outstanding guidance and support for an FTC Team throughout the year. The winner of the Compass Award is determined from candidates nominated by FTC Team members, via a 40-60 second video submission, highlighting how their mentor has helped them become an outstanding Team.

Winner: Howard Scalzo - Team 2753 Team Overdrive (video)
Runner up: Ron Prettyman - Team 365 MOE (video)

The Judges Award is given at the discretion of the Judges to a Team they have encountered whose unique efforts, performance or dynamics merit recognition, yet the Team does not fit into any of the existing Award categories.