2015 - How to scout totes
 

Hey! I am trying to think of ways that we can use a iPad app that we are developing to score totes/recycling containers. Anyone have any ideas? We are creating this app for iPads. We were thinking having a graphic of 6 totes and being able to tap them to score, and then have a save stack button. However, we run into the problem of if a robot knocks over some totes. Any ideas? Thanks!

Re: 2015 - How to scout totes
 

I'd add a "crash" button to the GUI. Have it ask how many totes were toppled, defaulting to the most recent stack made.

Now that you've got my mind on the subject...

Does your scouting app actually record when the tote stack is scored within the match? Speed to stack is probably going to be more important than how high your stack is, and an RC atop a stack is worth (at least) twice as much as the totes under it.

When it comes to RC scoring, you will also need some way to properly track "partial stackers" - teams that (for example) stack 3, score them, then stack 3 more with an RC, and place them atop the original stack of 3 for a total of 6x2 + 6x4 = 36 points (plus maybe another six for litter).

BTW, we haven't really started on our scouting procedures for 'Rush yet - thanks for the reminder!

Re: 2015 - How to scout totes
 

My team makes an app for scouting as well. We decided on going with a counter. This way you can count up for each tote or down when they fall.

Re: 2015 - How to scout totes
 

Anyone like this idea? (see the image) Buttons that count totes/bins, with delete? The app counts the bins/containers, and adds them all up. Any suggestions? Thanks for your input. If you were wondering, this is for the FRC Scout App, built by Team Driven. http://frcscout.blogspot.com/

Re: 2015 - How to scout totes
 

Would the data that you collect from the app be available to see on a separate device, such as a online database or other apple devices?

Re: 2015 - How to scout totes
 

Yep! FRC Scout can sync to other iPads via Bluetooth. (Android support may happen this year) More info is on the CD thread and Blog! Also check out the iBooks Manual

Re: 2015 - How to scout totes
 

You probably want to track robots that knock over scored totes?

Re: 2015 - How to scout totes
 

When will it be available on the app store?
And thank you so much for taking the time to create this and share it with all of us

Re: 2015 - How to scout totes
 

Just so you know, I did not make this app. I'm just on the Dev team for this app! Louie Bertoncin from Team Driven made this app. However, I did create the app manual. We are just brainstorming what we want incorporated in this app. Check the blog for updates!

Edit:
I forgot about this part! Last years app is available on the App Store, if you want to play with it! https://appsto.re/us/iyOjX.i

Re: 2015 - How to scout totes
 

I'm not sure that you have to account for the height of every tote that gets knocked down. Sure, it makes a difference for the score of a particular match, but a robot that knocks over a stack of 1 can knock over your sweet 42 point stack just as easily. So the number of times that stacks get knocked over and the context is much more significant. A team that knocks over stacks by driving recklessly is an instant don't pick. A team that has the same number of stacks knocked over from trying to putting RCs on a 6 stack is a different story.
Being able to keep track of each one scored and un-scored allows you to calculate the match score correctly, but that data is readily available anyway.
Scouting systems get their robustness from their simplicity. I'd probably reduce keeping track of tower collapses to 1 or 2 buttons pressed once per event, instead of 6+ buttons of which you need to press multiple per event.

Re: 2015 - How to scout totes
 

Logan has posted a scorekeeping app; I think he's working on an Apple-friendly version as well.