This KitBot Build Series provides a comprehensive set of step-by-step build videos and supplementary resources to construct the 2026 FIRST KitBot. FIRST designed KitBot as a simple, flexible solution to the 2026 FRC game. It can be used as is, or with enhancements.
Many thanks to the Argosy Foundation for making this series possible.
Also, thank you to Bruce Stone, Team 302 and Lake Orion High School for hosting our studio, to Aramco, and to FIRST for making FRC accessible to all by creating KitBot.
Important Links:
Shopping List (as of 01.14.26)
Organizing the Build:
The simplest way for any team to build KitBot is to follow the videos in order, starting at VRS 01. If you want to break into groups and build more than one thing at a time, we recommend this:
| Group 1 | Chassis | Videos 1-4 | (perhaps with a subgroup for wheel assembly) |
| Group 2 | Mechanisms | Videos 5-10 | (perhaps with a subgroup for polycarb cutting) |
Table of Contents
- 2026 VRS 01: Introduction & Chassis Assembly
- 2026 VRS 02: Transmission Assembly
- 2026 VRS 03: Wheel Assembly
- 2026 VRS 04: Wheel Installation
- 2026 VRS 05: Manufacturing Polycarbonate Parts
- 2026 VRS 06: Intake Base Assembly
- 2026 VRS 07: Fuel Mechanism Prep
- 2026 VRS 08: Fuel Mechanism Assembly
- 2026 VRS 09: Mechanical Wrap-Up
- 2026 VRS 10: Hopper Assembly
- 2026 VRS 11: Electronics Board
- 2026 VRS 12: Electronics/Wiring
- 2026 VRS 13: Bumpers
- 2026 VRS 14: Programming Prep
- 2026 VRS 15: Autonomous Programming
- 2026 VRS 16: Teleoperated Programming
- 2026 VRS 17: Field Testing
Welcome to the 2026 KitBot edition of the Virtual Robotics Studio where we will guide you through the build step-by-step!
Special thanks to Argosy for making this possible, FIRST, Aramco, and to our studio hosts Team 302 and Lake Orion High School.
Subscribe to follow along or visit the Virtual Robotics Studio page:
https://firstinmichigan.us/FRC/virtual-robotics-studio/
Chapters
- 0:00 Open
- 0:15 Introduction
- 1:52 Getting Started
- 2:58 Measuring The Sides Part 1
- 5:14 Cutting with Band Saw
- 8:20 Measuring The Sides Part 2
- 9:51 Cutting with the Chop Saw
- 19:07 Measuring & Cutting the End Pieces
- 27:22 Measuring & Cutting the Churro Pieces
- 31:09 Assembling the Chassis
- 40:21 Installing Churros
- 49:22 Using an Impact Drill
- 52:26 Checking & Tightening
- 55:25 Installing Other Churros
- 1:04:26 Installing Front End Pieces
- 1:13:17 Wrapping Up
In this second video of the 2026 KitBot series, we’ll assemble the transmission. We’ll walk through each step to install the drivetrain components that power your robot.
Special thanks to Argosy for making this possible, FIRST, Aramco, and to our studio hosts Team 302 and Lake Orion High School.
Subscribe to follow along or visit the Virtual Robotics Studio page:
https://firstinmichigan.us/FRC/virtual-robotics-studio/
Chapters
Resources
In this video, we’ll assemble the wheels for the 2026 KitBot. We’ll go step by step to make sure everything is installed correctly and ready to roll.
Special thanks to Argosy for making this possible, FIRST, Aramco, and to our studio hosts Team 302 and Lake Orion High School.
Subscribe to follow along or visit the Virtual Robotics Studio page:
https://firstinmichigan.us/FRC/virtual-robotics-studio/
In this video, we’ll install the wheels on the 2026 KitBot. We’ll walk through each step to make sure they’re mounted securely and ready for movement.
Special thanks to Argosy for making this possible, FIRST, Aramco, and to our studio hosts Team 302 and Lake Orion High School.
Subscribe to follow along or visit the Virtual Robotics Studio page:
https://firstinmichigan.us/FRC/virtual-robotics-studio/
Chapters
Resources
In this video, we’ll measure and cut polycarbonate for the 2026 KitBot. We’ll go step by step to ensure accurate cuts and proper fit for your robot.
Special thanks to Argosy for making this possible, FIRST, Aramco, and to our studio hosts Team 302 and Lake Orion High School.
Subscribe to follow along or visit the Virtual Robotics Studio page:
https://firstinmichigan.us/FRC/virtual-robotics-studio/
Chapters
- 0:00 Open
- 0:15 Introduction
- 1:06 Getting Started
- 3:57 Measuring & Laying Out Parts
- 14:54 Cutting the Polycarbonate
- 21:52 Finishing Up KB-26005
- 34:11 Cutting the Polycarbonate
- 39:01 Cutting KB-26004
- 42:26 Cutting KB-26006
- 46:10 Cutting KB-26014
- 51:19 Drilling Holes for KB-26004
- 1:14:20 Drilling Holes for KB-26006
- 1:22:48 Drilling Holes for KB-26014
- 1:28:09 Drilling Holes for KB-26005
- 1:43:59 Wrapping Up
In this video, we’ll be assembling and installing the intake base for the 2026 KitBot.
Special thanks to Argosy for making this possible, FIRST, Aramco, and to our studio hosts Team 302 and Lake Orion High School.
Subscribe to follow along or visit the Virtual Robotics Studio page:
https://firstinmichigan.us/FRC/virtual-robotics-studio/
Chapters
Resources
This video walks through fuel mechanism prep for the 2026 KitBot, including assembling the intake and launcher shafts.
Special thanks to Argosy for making this possible, FIRST, Aramco, and to our studio hosts Team 302 and Lake Orion High School.
Subscribe to follow along or visit the Virtual Robotics Studio page:
https://firstinmichigan.us/FRC/virtual-robotics-studio/
In this step of the 2026 KitBot build, we complete the fuel mechanism assembly (including the radio and signal light) and install it on the robot.
Special thanks to Argosy for making this possible, FIRST, Aramco, and to our studio hosts Team 302 and Lake Orion High School.
Subscribe to follow along or visit the Virtual Robotics Studio page:
https://firstinmichigan.us/FRC/virtual-robotics-studio/
Chapters
- 0:00 Open
- 0:15 Introduction
- 0:42 Getting Started
- 5:36 Installing Shafts
- 17:14 Adding Motors
- 25:07 Completing Left Side Gears/Pulleys
- 39:19 Completing Right Side Gears/Pulleys
- 55:36 Adjusting Spacing
- 1:05:38 Installing Radio/Signal Light
- 1:11:38 Greasing Gears
- 1:15:07 Installing Mechanism into Robot
- 1:35:18 Wrapping Up
Resources
In this step of the 2026 KitBot build, we complete the mechanical assembly by installing the final wheels and battery mount.
Special thanks to Argosy for making this possible, FIRST, Aramco, and to our studio hosts Team 302 and Lake Orion High School.
Subscribe to follow along or visit the Virtual Robotics Studio page:
https://firstinmichigan.us/FRC/virtual-robotics-studio/
In this step of the 2026 KitBot build, we assemble the hopper, wrapping up the mechanical work before diving into the electronics.
Special thanks to Argosy for making this possible, FIRST, Aramco, and to our studio hosts Team 302 and Lake Orion High School.
Subscribe to follow along or visit the Virtual Robotics Studio page:
https://firstinmichigan.us/FRC/virtual-robotics-studio/
Follow along as we cut and mount the electronics board for the 2026 KitBot. For this step, we recommend grabbing about 20 No. 10 washers from a hardware store.
Special thanks to Argosy for making this possible, FIRST, Aramco, and to our studio hosts Team 302 and Lake Orion High School.
Subscribe to follow along or visit the Virtual Robotics Studio page:
https://firstinmichigan.us/FRC/virtual-robotics-studio/
This video covers installing the electronic components on the 2026 KitBot, wiring everything up, and getting the battery ready for use.
Special thanks to Argosy for making this possible, FIRST, Aramco, and to our studio hosts Team 302 and Lake Orion High School.
Subscribe to follow along or visit the Virtual Robotics Studio page:
https://firstinmichigan.us/FRC/virtual-robotics-studio/
Chapters
- 0:00 Open
- 0:15 Introduction
- 2:03 Getting Started
- 11:43 Installing Power Distribution Hub
- 18:49 Installing SparkMax Speed Controllers
- 35:49 Installing Main Breaker
- 1:10:47 Installing Fuses
- 1:16:14 Installing the RoboRio/PoE Injector
- 1:28:03 Wiring the SparkMAX Controllers
- 1:54:19 Finishing Up & Mounting Back into the Robot
- 2:06:11 Wiring SparkMAX’s to Motors
- 2:48:18 Cleaning up Drivetrain Wires
- 2:52:59 Wiring the Radio
- 2:57:48 Wiring the Signal Light
- 3:15:37 Preparing the Battery
- 3:32:30 Testing Power
- 3:36:56 Wrapping Up
Resources
In this video, we’ll walk through the bumper building process for the 2026 KitBot.
Special thanks to Argosy for making this possible, FIRST, Aramco, and to our studio hosts Team 302 and Lake Orion High School.
Subscribe to follow along or visit the Virtual Robotics Studio page:
https://firstinmichigan.us/FRC/virtual-robotics-studio/
In this step of the 2026 Kit Bot build, we get the robot set up for programming, including installing software and making sure everything has the latest firmware.
Special thanks to Argosy for making this possible, FIRST, Aramco, and to our studio hosts Team 302 and Lake Orion High School.
Subscribe to follow along or visit the Virtual Robotics Studio page:
https://firstinmichigan.us/FRC/virtual-robotics-studio/
Chapters
This video walks through programming the autonomous mode for the 2026 Kit Bot, covering the core concepts and setup needed to get started. We’ll fine tune our program out on the field in a later video.
Special thanks to Argosy for making this possible, FIRST, Aramco, and to our studio hosts Team 302 and Lake Orion High School.
Subscribe to follow along or visit the Virtual Robotics Studio page:
https://firstinmichigan.us/FRC/virtual-robotics-studio/
Chapters
- 0:00 Open
- 0:15 Introduction
- 0:39 Getting Started / Overview
- 5:00 Running the Software
- 18:14 Imports
- 32:33 Creating a Default Auto
- 36:53 Deploying Code to the Robot
- 44:50 Adding the Right Drive
- 50:21 Setting up DifferentialDrive
- 53:17 Setting up Drive Config
- 1:02:43 Tank Drive Setup
- 1:08:16 Setting Up Timers
- 1:16:57 Auto Mode Strategy
- 1:33:26 Setting up the Launcher Motors
- 2:01:33 Testing & Adjusting
- 2:16:05 Making Another Auto Mode
- 2:30:05 Auto Mode Strategy
- 2:31:34 Adding Another Auto Mode
- 3:12:21 Auto Mode Strategy & Wrap Up
Resources
In this step of the 2026 Kit Bot series, we set up and program teleoperated control for the robot. We’ll fine tune our program out on the field in a later video.
Special thanks to Argosy for making this possible, FIRST, Aramco, and to our studio hosts Team 302 and Lake Orion High School.
Subscribe to follow along or visit the Virtual Robotics Studio page:
https://firstinmichigan.us/FRC/virtual-robotics-studio/
In the last video of the 2026 Kitbot series, we’re taking everything out to the field to test and fine tune. We’ll also talk about next steps for the upcoming competitions!
Special thanks to Argosy for making this possible, FIRST, Aramco, and to our studio hosts Team 302 and Lake Orion High School.
Subscribe to follow along or visit the Virtual Robotics Studio page:
https://firstinmichigan.us/FRC/virtual-robotics-studio/
