Re: Petition to end the shouting of ROBOT
 

The pits are historically a very chaotic place, and for good reason. The shouting of "Robot!" is, as already pointed out, a degenerative practice that does little to increase order in the pits.

The way I see it, there are several factors at play that can be manipulated:

• Overcrowding can be reduced by limiting the number of persons allowed in the pits
• Space can be allocated more efficiently: add aisles dedicated to robot transportation
• Teams can take it upon themselves to reduce the noise and disorder.

The third bullet, IMO, is the easiest to undertake, as it is a simple behavioral change that doesn't affect the grandeur of the pits. I'd like to add some more thoughts as to how you can achieve more order with the polite method of robot transportation:

• As stated, send one or two members a few feet ahead to begin clearing space.
• If you are able to maneuver the robot + cart around a group, do so, and without voicing your intent. This is my #1 issue: teams generally call "Robot!" without thinking about the path they're taking through the pit, as it they should have a straight-line trip to/from their pit. If it is possible to avoid someone, quietly and politely do so.
• Be patient! If there is a roadblock, wait for people to move and thank them for doing so afterwards. Common courtesy goes a long way.
• To aid in many of the situations mentioned in this thread involving extremely crowded pits, I would suggest everyone takes trip time into account. I realize this can be hard for teams trying to make it onto the field, but this is where your path-clearing members come in handy. Make sure people are well aware that a robot will be coming through in a moment, but again, do so in an amicable manner.

I'm going to try to speak with the safety advisors at our next event on Thursday morning and convince them to help with the endeavor of keeping the pits as quiet and professional as possible. I think this is a good short-term solution, if at least someone at each regional has a courteous discussion with the nice green-shirted folk :)

Re: Petition to end the shouting of ROBOT
 

Ah, so you were annoyed by yelling in text. Which, as it happens, is precisely what the point was--the yelling of the word "robot" to clear a path is annoying multiple people.


For Siri:

Yes to all three. I would actually start out with the third one, pointing out that "safety" advisors are actually advocating practices that either hinder safety or do not advance it, in addition to actual safe practices. (And be specific.) Actually, I'd be sure to point out that it's only at some events, so there is distinct inconsistency. Then I'd cast the first two as better alternatives to one of the issues discussed previously, and note the need for better training on other items. I just think that that order makes better logical sense, better flow, that sort of thing.

Re: Petition to end the shouting of ROBOT
 

I think the main point is,

Whatever it is you say: "Excuse me, robot coming through!", "We're late for our match, pardon us!"... and yes, even "Robot!"....

...don't be a jerk about it.

That means, use your inside voice (even if it's toward the loud end of your inside voice), be kind, and THANK the person after they move to help you.

I'm definitely in agreement with the one-person-in-front method: When I coach, I serve as that person, along with whichever student is holding the controls. My drivers can get the cart into the queue line just fine on their own, and I'd rather take the time to be polite to those in front of us.

You never know who that person you just yelled at is. They could have been your future sponsor, but you just screamed at them for standing sort-of-near-you and now they think you're maaaaaybe not the best choice.

It's about attitude, not the sentence length. This is definitely not a practice anyone should be promoting, because it just leads to more noise and more confusion for most people.

EDIT:: Oh yeah, and I signed/shared the petition link, too.

Re: Petition to end the shouting of ROBOT
 

The space issue in the pits is part of the problem here. If there weren't so many excess people in the aisles, teams transporting robots wouldn't need to continue the practice.

Personally, at this year's WPI Regional, even with the extra pit space afforded to us because we were against an angled wall in the new building, I occasionally found myself asking students to stay in the pit area. Our team is rather small, so it wasn't an issue of too many people in the pit, it was an issue of the kids wandering ever so slightly.

I've also been on a pretty big team, and with the kids that stand around and do nothing, parents, kids talking to other kids in the aisle, etc., it can get hectic quickly. At one point we had non-essential members leave the pit, at least for a while. It was the only way we could hear ourselves think.

Obviously I'm an advocate of pit management as a solution to this issue. I understand that this solution isn't easy; 100 ft^2 isn't a whole lot of space to fit the robot AND everyone and everything you need in the pit. Let the kids and their parents get a quick shot with the robot and a chat with mentors quickly. Don't let them clog up the aisle.

Another thing someone brought up is the "Robot Only Lane", which, lets face it, would be used by people as well unless it was well enforced, and that's one or two more volunteers that events need to have (which in some cases is one or two too many).

I'm of the mind that yelling obnoxiously, unnecessarily, loudly and even rudely, is wrong, whether you're yelling "ROBOT (COMING THROUGH)" or "POPCORN, GET YOUR POPCORN HERE!". Use it when you need to, but be polite about it. Be smart.

Re: Petition to end the shouting of ROBOT
 

That's brilliant! Use a decoy! :p

Re: Petition to end the shouting of ROBOT
 

Question: are we all serious about this? Something like

We are writing to you today as a group of concerned mentors and volunteers. It has come to our attention that some teams are receiving advice from safety advisors that either hinders or does not advance safety. Though there is considerable variation between events, we are concerned that some competitions have begun to advocate unsafe practices or reward spectacle, potentially at the expense of safety. Here are a few examples:

• Requiring teams to yell “Robot!” when relocating, despite the contribution to chaos and dangerous noise levels in the pits. It is additionally startling and distasteful to the general public and desensitizing to teams, while a simple “please excuse us” has proven effective at many other events.
• Rewarding or abetting teams that engage in this and similar “spectacle” practices (such as stopping all traffic or attempting to control intersections) that have minimal if not negative safety consequences.
• Requiring the use of gloves in situations contrary to OSHA standards (for instance while operating small band saws), or mandating other non-standard or even unsafe practices. This can create very serious safety hazards for both teams and visitors.

As an alternative, we propose that safety advisors across all events reexamine the safety value of the practices they support, and ensure they are advocating OSHA standards correctly. In addition, we support the use of a polite escort in front of teams’ robots during transit in order to request specific people to move as required. For situations in which the pits are overly crowded, we suggest the safety advisors routinely remind teams that all equipment, personnel and visitors remain in their pit area, and that any overflow is best remedied by limiting equipment or team members (so as not to impact visitors’ access to FIRST).

This is the crux of the debate. Keep the pit area clear for transition.
-JW

Re: Petition to end the shouting of ROBOT
 

At a recent MAR event, a small one, not quiet, but quiet enough to easily get by with an "Excuse us.", one safety captain insisted on shouting "Robot" unnecessarily loudly whenever they moved the robot. Whether anyone was in the way or even close by. I think even his team got annoyed, because at one point he is walking back from the field shouting as usual at the top of his lungs.

"Robot!" screamed he.
"Where?" queried a mentor from another team.

I looked up and, sure enough, there was no robot in sight. Apparently his team stopped following to see how far he would get. About 100 feet as it turned out. Best laugh I had all day. (he was quieter subsequently)

I'll sign.

Re: Petition to end the shouting of ROBOT
 

After reading this thread, I'll sign the petition as well.

As many have pointed out, shouting "ROBOT" is rather rude and obnoxious.

In any event a simple polite excuse me is more than enough. I've been in large venues, small venues, noisy pits etc... There really is no need to be shouting "ROBOT".

A simple parade approach works well. One person leading the way clearing a path politely saying "Excuse us Please, Robot coming through" is more than adequate.

Re: Petition to end the shouting of ROBOT
 

I signed.

Re: Petition to end the shouting of ROBOT
 

WOW, I guess FIRST really does watch Chief Delphi!

They just released a blog about Not standing in the Aisles and NOT yelling Robot!!!

I cannot believe that they can mandate & penalize this!

I personally don't think it should be mandated either way (for or against) - and am not signing a petition. I agree that sometimes its obnoxious, but that sometimes its the most clear and efficient way (if done respectfully) to communicate your intentions. I'm ok with the FORE analogy, as long as FORE isnt being yelled directly in my ear. Though I would guess FORE! is much more akin to FRISBEE! this year!

Re: Petition to end the shouting of ROBOT
 

Umm, wrong link? Funny video, though.

Re: Petition to end the shouting of ROBOT
 

April fools...too bad, just when I thought this thread was going somewhere :p

Re: Petition to end the shouting of ROBOT
 

Here's the actual video blog from first: FIRST blog: Safety advisors and yelling "Robot".

Re: Petition to end the shouting of ROBOT
 

I figured you'd pull that one. (I hovered before clicking, KNOWING that it's 4/1. Then checked the real blog. Then looked to see just what the video was.)



GDC's going to LOVE next year--4/1 is a Tuesday. Who knows what they'll pull out then...