WPILib Example Projects

Warning

While every attempt is made to keep WPILib examples functional, they are not intended to be used “as-is.” At the very least, robot-specific constants will need to be changed for the code to work on a user robot. Many empirical constants have their values “faked” for demonstration purposes. Users are strongly encouraged to write their own code (from scratch or from an existing template) rather than copy example code.

WPILib example projects demonstrate a large number of library features and use patterns. Projects range from simple demonstrations of a single functionality to complete, competition-capable robot programs. All of these examples are available in VS Code by entering Ctrl+Shift+P, then selecting WPILib: Create a new project and choosing example.

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Basic Examples

These examples demonstrate basic/minimal robot functionality. They are useful for beginning teams who are gaining initial familiarity with robot programming, but are highly limited in functionality.

  • Arcade Drive (Java, C++, Python): Demonstrates a simple differential drive implementation using “arcade”-style controls through the DifferentialDrive class.

  • Getting Started (Java, C++, Python): Demonstrates a simple autonomous routine that drives forwards for two seconds at half speed.

  • Mecanum Drive (Java, C++, Python): Demonstrates a simple mecanum drive implementation using the MecanumDrive class.

  • TankDrive (Java, C++, Python): Demonstrates a simple differential drive implementation using “tank”-style controls through the DifferentialDrive class.

Control Examples

These examples demonstrate WPILib implementations of common robot controls. Sensors may be present, but are not the emphasized concept of these examples.

  • DifferentialDriveBot (Java, C++, Python): Demonstrates an advanced differential drive implementation, including encoder-and-gyro odometry through the DifferentialDriveOdometry class, and composition with PID velocity control through the DifferentialDriveKinematics and PIDController classes.

  • DifferentialDrivePoseEstimator (Java, C++): Demonstrates an advanced differential drive implementation with all the features of DifferentialDriveBot. In addition this example uses DifferentialDrivePoseEstimator to track the robots position on the field. It demonstrates these features by using WPILib Simulation.

  • Elevator with Profiled PID Controller (Java, C++, Python): Demonstrates the use of the ProfiledPIDController class to control the position of an elevator mechanism.

  • Elevator with Trapezoid Profiled PID (Java, C++, Python): Demonstrates the use of the TrapezoidProfile class in conjunction with a “smart motor controller” to control the position of an elevator mechanism.

  • Elevator with Exponential Profiled PID (Java, C++): Demonstrates the use of the ExponentialProfile class in conjunction with a “smart motor controller” to control the position of an elevator mechanism.

  • MecanumBot (Java, C++, Python): Demonstrates an advanced mecanum drive implementation, including encoder-and-gyro odometry through the MecanumDriveOdometry class, and composition with PID velocity control through the MecanumDriveKinematics and PIDController classes.

  • Mecanum Drive PoseEstimator (Java, C++): Demonstrates an advanced mecanum drive implementation with all the features of MecanumBot. In addition this example uses MecanumDrivePoseEstimator to track the robots position on the field.

  • SwerveBot (Java, C++, Python): Demonstrates an advanced swerve drive implementation, including encoder-and-gyro odometry through the SwerveDriveOdometry class, and composition with PID position and velocity control through the SwerveDriveKinematics and PIDController classes.

  • Swerve Drive PoseEstimator (Java, C++): Demonstrates an advanced swerve drive implementation with all the features of SwerveBot. In addition this example uses SwerveDrivePoseEstimator to track the robots position on the field.

Sensor Examples

These examples demonstrate sensor reading and data processing using WPILib. Mechanisms control may be present, but is not the emphasized concept of these examples.

  • Duty Cycle Encoder (Java, C++, Python): Demonstrates the use of the DutyCycleEncoder class to read values from a PWM-type absolute encoder.

  • Encoder (Java, C++, Python): Demonstrates the use of the Encoder class to read values from a quadrature encoder.

  • Gyro (Java, C++, Python): Demonstrates the use of the AnalogGyro class to measure robot heading and stabilize driving.

  • SysIdRoutine (Java, C++, Python): Demonstrates the use of the SysIdRoutine API to gather characterization data for a differential drivetrain.

Command-Based Examples

These examples demonstrate the use of the Command-Based framework.

  • DriveDistanceOffboard (Java, C++, Python): Demonstrates the use of a TrapezoidProfileCommand in conjunction with a “smart motor controller” to drive forward by a set distance with a trapezoidal motion profile.

  • Rapid React Command Bot (Java, C++): This project uses the latest command based best practices and the Epilogue logging system. It is capable of playing the FRC 2022 game Rapid React.

  • Inlined Hatchbot (Java, C++, Python): A complete set of robot code for a simple hatch-delivery bot typical of the 2019 FRC game Destination: Deep Space. Commands are written in an “inline” style, in which explicit subclassing of Command is avoided.

  • Traditional Hatchbot (Java, C++, Python): A complete set of robot code for a simple hatch-delivery bot typical of the 2019 FRC game Destination: Deep Space. Commands are written in a “traditional” style, in which subclasses of Command are written for each robot action.

State-Space Examples

These examples demonstrate the use of the State-Space Control.

  • StateSpaceFlywheel (Java, C++, Python): Demonstrates state-space control of a flywheel.

  • StateSpaceFlywheelSysId (Java, C++, Python): Demonstrates state-space control using SysId’s System Identification for controlling a flywheel.

  • StateSpaceElevator (Java, C++, Python): Demonstrates state-space control of an elevator.

  • StateSpaceArm (Java, C++, Python): Demonstrates state-space control of an Arm.

Simulation Physics Examples

These examples demonstrate the use of the physics simulation.

  • ElevatorSimulation (Java, C++, Python): Demonstrates the use of physics simulation with a simple elevator.

  • ElevatorSimulation with Exponential PID (Java, C++): Demonstrates the use of physics simulation of an elevator being controlled with exponential profiled PID.

  • ArmSimulation (Java, C++, Python): Demonstrates the use of physics simulation with a simple single-jointed arm.

  • SimpleDifferentialDriveSimulation (Java, C++): A barebones example of a basic drivetrain that can be used in simulation.

Miscellaneous Examples

These examples demonstrate miscellaneous WPILib functionality that does not fit into any of the above categories.

  • HAL (C++): Demonstrates the use of HAL (Hardware Abstraction Layer) without the use of the rest of WPILib. This example is for advanced users (C++ only).

  • RomiReference (Java, C++, Python): A command based example of how to run the Romi robot.

  • XRPReference (Java, C++): A command based example of how to run the XRP robot.

  • Mechanism2d (Java, C++, Python): A simple example of using Mechanism2d.

  • UnitTest (Java, C++): Shows how to do Unit Testing. The test files need to be in a separate Test directory (Java, C++).

Snippets

These examples demonstrate a single item.

  • Addressable LED (Java, C++, Python): Demonstrates the use of the AddressableLED class to control RGB LEDs for robot decoration and/or driver feedback.

  • AprilTagsVision (Java, C++, Python): Demonstrates on-roboRIO detection of AprilTags using an attached USB camera.

  • Digital Communication (Java, C++, Python): This is a sample program demonstrating how to communicate to a light controller from the robot code using the roboRIO’s DIO ports.

  • DutyCycleInput (Java, C++, Python): Demonstrates the use of the DutyCycleInput class to read the frequency and fractional duty cycle of a PWM input.

  • EventLoop (Java, C++): Demonstrates the use of the EventLoop class that allows code to be called based on a boolean condition in the event-driven programming style.

  • Flywheel Bang-Bang Controller (Java, C++, Python): Uses the BangBangController class to simply yet effectively control a flywheel.

  • HTTP Camera (Java, C++): Demonstrates the use of OpenCV and a HTTP Camera to overlay a rectangle on a captured video feed and stream it to the dashboard.

  • I2C Communication (Java, C++, Python): This is a sample program demonstrating how to communicate to a light controller from the robot code using the roboRIO’s I2C port.

  • Intermediate Vision (Java, C++, Python): Demonstrates the use of OpenCV and a USB camera to overlay a rectangle on a captured video feed and stream it to the dashboard.

  • Motor Controller (Java, C++, Python): Demonstrates how to control the output of a motor with a joystick with an encoder to read motor position.

  • Power Distribution CAN Monitoring (Java, C++, Python): Demonstrates obtaining sensor information from a Power Distribution module over CAN using the PowerDistribution class.

  • Select Command Example (Java, C++, Python): Demonstrates the use of the SelectCommand class to run one of a selection of commands depending on a runtime-evaluated condition.

  • Simple Vision (Java, C++, Python): Demonstrates how to stream video from a USB camera to the dashboard.

  • Solenoids (Java, C++, Python): Demonstrates the use of the Solenoid and DoubleSolenoid classes to control solenoid outputs with a set of joystick buttons.