How are we going to optimize field reset?
 

Cycle time in this game is going to be made or wrecked by the field reset crew. A crew of 10 under strong direction can probably do it quickly enough by hand, but if the crew is 4 or 5 some sort of automation or tools for transporting bins more than 1 or 2 at a time will be required.

There are 128 totes at 8 pounds each and 10 recycling containers at 9 pounds each to stage between each match. That's 1000 pounds of stuff to move. A thousand pounds which needs to be done without interrupting teams leaving the field and should be mostly done before the next teams enter.

I've not seen what the expected cycle time is, but I'd guess 6 minutes which means all of this has to be accomplished in 210 seconds.

First blush ideas that are obvious would seem to be some sort of trolley that would let one person move multiple totes quickly and a quiver for managing the fun-noodles.

I thought I'd throw this out to the CD community to see what kind of ideas for sturdy, light, inexpensive and potentially collapsible/shippable field reset tools there are.

Re: How are we going to optimize field reset?
 

Having reset fields in 2003, it is possible to "airmail" bins safely between two people.

It is also possible to slide stacks.

Re: How are we going to optimize field reset?
 

The manual states 2 minutes for match set-up, 2 minutes and 30 seconds for the match and one minute for match reset.

Remember that any cart or tool used to reset the field will need to be moved off and stored somewhere during the match.

Re: How are we going to optimize field reset?
 

The only thing that really comes to mind is a large dolly, otherwise sliding the totes around would probably be the best bet.

Re: How are we going to optimize field reset?
 

Totally true, and for the bins on field that will be pretty quick even with a handful of field reset folks, but there are 30 bins per side that will need to be moved off the field and restaged. Add the tripping hazards on either side of the auto zone and reset isn't going anywhere near as quick as the last 3 years.

Which gets back to field reset being a key part of cycle timing this year and what can we as volunteers do to optimize it.

Re: How are we going to optimize field reset?
 

OK, FIRST is expecting a 6 minute cycle, but in order to actually do match reset in 60 to 90 seconds totally by hand will require a crew working their butts off. They have to average 2 gray totes moved from wherever they end up on the field to a starting location every second. Plus the yellow totes, recycling bins and noodles.

As for cart storage, yeah that would be a problem at some locations. Specifically I'm thinking Williams Arena in Minneapolis which is a tight fit before you add any field elements. In most venues you could park a trolley behind the stacks of totes behind the drivers stations.

Re: How are we going to optimize field reset?
 

I'm picking a fireman style system. 1-2 people on each side grab totes, and pass them to one person, that person passes it to the next, who gives it to the person in charge of placing them.

The way the totes need to placed appears to be very specific, so the less people that need to know the order the better. I don't want to be the one to say it, but quite a few times Field Resetters end up being team volunteers, and while they do try their hardest, field resetting isn't as easy as it seems. This method would cut down on the number of mistakes that need to be fixed, hence cutting down queue times.

Re: How are we going to optimize field reset?
 

IIRC, the 03 bins were WAY lighter than 2015 bins.

Re: How are we going to optimize field reset?
 

03 were 5 lb or so.

Re: How are we going to optimize field reset?
 

You'd be shocked at the skill and efficiency of a FIRST volunteer.
They are some of the best and the brightest out there and they will come through.
Trust me on that.

Re: How are we going to optimize field reset?
 

They might be better off starting with the field messed up, and having the team's robots reset the field as the objective! ;)

Re: How are we going to optimize field reset?
 

I agree with Ed. As the season starts the field reset staff will start to know what they can do. Soon enough there will be people carrying two totes with one hand (thankfully they are empty) then their other hand will probably have a tote or even two recycling containers. They also might tuck the litter under their arms.

Re: How are we going to optimize field reset?
 

As a Field Resetter, I can confirm this is how it works. By week 4 last year I figured out how to transport 5 balls at once :o

Re: How are we going to optimize field reset?
 

That's all well and good, but I'm working week 1 and want every dang duck lined up and in formation Thursday morning.

Re: How are we going to optimize field reset?
 

I would suggest you organize a week 0 event so you can see how field reset goes there. There have been things realized at week 0 events that have set the way things go for the season. In 2014 week 0 set the bar with having a line of people rolling the ball from one end to another. In 2013 the throwing of frisbees was made illegal due to the storm of discs seen at week 0 events.

Talking is well and good, but you won't have anything set in stone until you see it in action.