Before testing any great robot code, you need a good platform to run it on (unless of course you're into simulation).
The "Getting Started with NI LabVIEW for FTC" manual that came with the 2009 FTC competiton kit shows how to build a basic robot, and describes assembling the electrical system.
Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I thought I'd assemble some pictures of my own "Getting Started" robot to illustrate the points that are made in the manual.
If you're new to FTC or TETRIX or even LabVIEW, I strongly recommend this as a great "Starter" project to get your feet wet.
I also show construction pics for "The Grabber", an extension of the design that we use for running croud pleasing demonstations.
It involves adding an articulated gripper mechanism capable of picking up and transporting short pool noodles (or are they noodletts?)
Full source code and software description can be found here: http://decibel.ni.com/content/docs/DOC-6611
