I was surprised to discover there are mats made to help guide robots around a course. It makes sense for competitions, to make sure everyone has to complete the same challenges. But it also might make sense if you have a robot and are looking for a structured way to direct your robot around. Instead of thinking up a free form course, coding a robot to follow a predefined path might make things a little easier and less complicated.

The Geyer company makes competition mats that work for the First Lego League, an international guided robot competition series that teaches STEM skills with Lego robots. Geyer makes 130 plus mats appropriate for K-12 students.

They have mats for Lego robots as well as Sphero and other robots. Made of durable vinyl, some mats also include curriculum materials.

Learn More

Geyer Mats

https://www.geyerinstructional.com/stem/robotics-challenge-mats.html

First Lego League

https://www.firstlegoleague.org/